Acts 5:17-26 ~ Standing

Acts 5:17-26

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 

24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 

And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 

26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

The Scriptures repeat again and again. 

Telling us of the Steadfast Heart of the Lord God, Almighty. 

His Nature and His Ability.

John 14 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 

John 20:18-20

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that He had said these things to her.

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews

Jesus came 

and 

stood among them 

and 

said to them, 

“Peace be with you.” 

20 When He had said this, 

He showed them His Hands and His Side.

 Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

One of the most interesting and least discussed aspects

of the Shroud of Turin,

after the scientists and test discovered, the outer edges were repaired in

the 1200s and 1400s,

the next test was for radiation.

The Shroud of Turin 

has profound

levels of radiation 

after being sequestered in

preservation

radiation free areas for thousands of years.

Let there be Light

and

The Sunrise shall visit us from upon high.

Abba, Father,

In the 

Events of

Easter

As we think of the Sacrifice

of Jesus Christ

His Love

as He Forgave

We realize 

a Thousand Years 

are a Day to You.

And Give You Thanks

for

our

Salvation.

God of Light

You are in all things

You are Light of the world

Light of mankind

Light of Heaven

In all Things, You Create

You have given us Jesus Christ

Holy is

the Highest Name

Above

all others

Your Kingdom come

Your Good Will be done

we pray for more

on earth

just as it is in Heaven.

Give us This Day

Our Daily Bread.

Jesus the Living Bread.

Forgive us our Trespasses

as

we forgive those

who Trespass 

Against us.

Lead us not into temptation

Deliver us from Evil. 

For Thine

is the

Kingdom

and the Power

and the Glory.

Amen in Jesus Christ 

John 21

Thank you, Jesus our Lord Christ

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Matthew 5:23-30 ~ offering your gift at the altar

 

Matthew 5:23-30

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Houston has not been immune to the Pandemic and the odd circumstances, reminding Historians of the first and second century AD. Last May we had historic flooding and the dams were opened to prevent wide scale disaster. Suddenly. Then equally, as suddenly, just 2 weeks later, meteorologists were astonished to find we had a Hurricane blowing in from land.   Trucks washed off I-45. 

Second Baptist has done marvelous works of God in Houston. Their part in Hurricane Katrina was incredibly organizational in caring for those suffering and homeless from New Orleans for a solid year. No one in Houston doubts Dr. Ed Young. 

And the wind blew across our Nation in cultural differences. 

April 23, 2025. Article from,

Global News Baptist

Ben Young preaching at Second Baptist Houston

Pastoral succession, megachurch wealth and family dynasties combine in a lawsuit filed against Second Baptist Church of Houston and its leaders April 15.

The Southern Baptist congregation is the 17th largest church in America, according to Outreach magazine, with average weekly attendance of 19,735 in 2024. After 46 years as senior pastor, Ed Young stepped down last May and named one of his sons, Ben Young, his successor. Another son, also named Ed Young, leads a Dallas-area megachurch called Fellowship Church, which is the 13th largest church in America.

But all is not well in Houston, nearly one year after Ed Young the elder took a sudden retirement at age 87 — amid grumblings inside and outside the church that he had become a bit unhinged in his rambling sermons — and orchestrated naming his son as successor.

This turn of events pitted two groups within the church membership against each other: Younger members who wanted new leadership versus older, wealthier members who remained loyal to Ed Young regardless. But that’s only the beginning of this saga.

Now there are allegations of deceptive practices, 

an illegal church business meeting 

and a family’s attempt to enrich itself by control of the church’s $1 billion in assets.

There is a very good reason 

to 

heed 

Scripture.

1988, When Rev. Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a bad situation after years of good works, his congregation both physical and by social media did suffer greatly. Wondering about God.  Wondering loudly if they had been foolish to give money to promote the Lord. Conned. 

One of the most vivid articles I remember, when paper newspapers were part of normal life, The Dallas Morning News responded in full Glory.  They said, God, Himself, Who sees the Heart, Knows the Good Souls working to make the earth the Good God sees.  And this will always be the blessing of loving and knowing the Lord and being known to Him.

Considérez la Révolution française comme un contexte historique: 

Harris-Walz campaign hired a female Presbyterian Minister, somewhat retired to instead do longtime activist, to lead faith outreach. And the campaign issues a set of goals in the new position hire for Pastor Faith Outreach for the White House Administration.

It was more of a threat than a promise. 

New Head of Faith Outreach

Recognize that we’re at a pivotal moment in American democracy where faith voices for justice are needed now more than ever,” she said. “The Harris-Walz campaign is a really unique opportunity to shift the debate."

Faith in Public Life, a faith-focused advocacy effort incubated at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, was the starting point.  Concerned about religious freedom, and engaging new ideals.

Civil Disobedience was part of these works.

To lead or participate in campaigns supporting a range of causes such as immigrant rights, voting rights, health care reform and LGBTQ rights. Drawing in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which was critical of the current health care proposals.

The post of Religion Pastor would engage all the Churches to understand they had been worshiping incorrectly in the past. The former form of Nationalism would be replaced and intolerance incorrectly interpreting Scripture. With a bold new look at Churches in the future.

When the Churches cease to govern themselves, advertising their Hezekiah funds for the warring outsiders, there is a very grave line being crossed. 

Notre Dame has seen fires before.

The statues smashed. The chairs, before pews, piled in the center. Fire set upon them as a sacrifice to the Roman gods.  Then the Bibles and books of Notre Dame. It was not a one-time occurrence, and happened again and again when the Revolutionists wanted to poke God to do something to them.

Isaiah 39

39 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 

2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 

3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” 

Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 

4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” 

Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 

“Hear the word of the Lord of  Hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 

8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.” 

Having loved Hezekiah in the Scriptures, verse 8 is beyond comprehension. We build for our children and their hope and future. We do not please ourselves and instead put the city wall around the entire city to build for the future. 

It will not need a 123-page lawsuit and instead the Church in Good Standing will be the Light in mankind Jesus Christ tells us is the way, truth and life for those who believe God rewards those who seek Him.

Follow the Way, Truth and Life of Jesus Christ. 

Plan for a Hope and Future in Him. 

Abba, Father,

Very much a work of the Lord.

When the 

Events of

Easter

coincide

We remember

John Wesley said, “The Work of God 

continues 

His workers go home”

Coinciding

John Wesley never left the Anglican Church

and The Anglican Church

never left

The Roman Catholic Church.

One God,

One Plan

As we think of the Sacrifice

of Jesus Christ

His Love

as He Forgave

We realize 

a Thousand Years 

are a Day to You.

And Give You Thanks

for

our

Salvation.

God of Light

You are in all things

You are Light of the world

Light of mankind

Light of Heaven

In all Things, You Create

You have given us Jesus Christ

Holy is

the Highest Name

Above

all others

Your Kingdom come

Your Good Will be done

we pray for more

on earth

just as it is in Heaven.

Give us This Day

Our Daily Bread.

Jesus the Living Bread.

Forgive us our Trespasses

as

we forgive those

who Trespass 

Against us.

Lead us not into temptation

Deliver us from Evil. 

For Thine

is the

Kingdom

and 

the Power

and 

the Glory.

Amen in Jesus Christ 

John 21

Thank you, Jesus our Lord Christ

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Isaiah 43:8-13 ~ The Lord

Isaiah 43:8-13

Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,

    who are deaf, yet have ears!

9 All the nations gather together,

    and the peoples assemble.

Who among them can declare this,

    and show us the former things?

Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,

    and let them hear and say, 

It is true.

“You are my witnesses,”

Declares the Lord,

    “and my servant whom I have chosen,

that you may know 

and 

believe me

    and 

understand that I am He.

Before me no god was formed,

    nor shall there be any after me.

I, I am the Lord,

    and 

besides Me there is no savior.

I Declared 

and

 Saved 

and 

Proclaimed,

    when there was no strange god among you;

    and 

you are my witnesses,” 

Declares the Lord, 

“and 

I am God.

Also henceforth I am He;

    there is none who can 

deliver from My Hand;

    I work, 

and 

Who can turn it back?”

†

Digitally, see Isaiah Scroll 3D

____________________________________________________

1948 

The Jews had refused to walk under the Arch of Titus, 

believing 

Israel would rise from utter defeat almost 1900 years later. 

Correct!

God alone held the Arch of Titus to be the Gate of the Roman Empire for Jewish in dispersion to Hope in the Resurrection of Israel 2,000 Years later.

The Arch of Titus fell into the slums and became slum housing:

About 1550 AD, the Pope used the Arch for Oath taking and loyalty ceremonies. 

And the Arch began to show deterioration.

By 1700 AD, it was almost abandoned, and a citizen lived in the ruins.

In 1812, the Pope decided to restore this:

(This) monument, remarkable in terms of both religion and art,
had weakened from age:
Pius the Seventh, 

Supreme Pontiff,
by new works on the model of the ancient exemplar
ordered it reinforced and preserved.


Good idea.

1948 

The Jews had refused to walk under the Arch of Titus, 

believing Israel 

would rise from utter defeat 

almost 1900 years later.

WHY WOULD GOD BE INTERESTED IN 

THE ARCH OF TITUS?

2 Peter 3:8 

 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice:

 With the Lord 

a day is like a thousand years, 

and a thousand years are like a day. 

With the Lord 

one day is like a thousand years, 

and a thousand years like one day.

Angels in Notre Dame

Heavenly Hosts proclaimed

The Arrival of Jesus

Savior of the world

Jesus Christ will return 

Hebrews 1:1-3

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, 

God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 

but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, 

Whom He appointed the Heir of all things, 

through Whom also He created the world. 

 He is the radiance of the Glory of God 

and the exact imprint of His Nature, 

and 

He upholds the universe by the Word of His Power. 

After making purification for sins, 

He sat down at the Right Hand 

of the Majesty on High

Ephesians 1:10

 

As a plan for the fullness of time, 

to unite all things in Him, 

things in heaven 

and 

things on earth.

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days 

that we may 

get a heart of wisdom.

Revelation 1:17,18 

He laid His Right Hand on me, saying, 

“Fear not, 

I am the first and the last, 

and the Living One. 

I died, 

and 

Behold I am alive forevermore, 

and 

I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Also henceforth 

I am He;

    there is none who can 

deliver from My Hand;

    I work, 

and 

Who can turn it back?”

Jesus Christ will return 

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

For since we believe 

that 

Jesus died and rose again, 

even so, 

through Jesus, 

God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

15 For this we declare to you 

by a Word from the Lord, 

that we who are alive, 

who are left until the coming of the Lord, 

will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

For the Lord Himself 

will descend from Heaven 

with a cry of command, 

with the voice of an archangel, 

and 

with the sound 

of the trumpet 

of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are alive, 

who are left, 

will be caught up together with them in the clouds 

to meet the Lord 

in the air, 

and

 so we will 

always be with the Lord.

Luke 1

His people

    in the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the

 tender Mercy 

of our God

  Whereby the sunrise shall visit us 

from on high

 to give Light 

to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

    to guide our feet into the way of 

peace.

Abba, Father,

Our heart hears the call from You.

And we see in Scripture 

the mercy of the merciful

Luke 17:17-19

Then Jesus answered, 

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

And He said to him, 

“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Help us to live 

each day

Putting You first.

As the Name of Jesus 

covers us

and 

The Holy Spirit dwells in us.

We pray diligently

and with our hearts

We thank You, Father,

And pray Your Mercy

on the people,

animals, homes

and businesses.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell fully in those we love,

Help us to seek You first

and we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Thank You.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES, Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Lord Jesus