Acts 4:23-31 ~ You stretch out your hand to heal

 

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."

Acts 4 is addressing a New Identity in Jesus Christ. Perfect.

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

"Bible-thumper on this ship?"

"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. 

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. 

Our Jesus, like our David, would Dance in the Vineyard. With Joy.

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.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Psalm 116 ~ For Mercy

My mom's yard has a lovely set of Mallards enjoying the bird feeder.

We love this.

However, in the middle of Dallas' mid-May 58' and rain

the Mallards enjoyed her water line break and had a super wade day.

Not as pleasing to the crew helping with tile at her house

and us to have lost the water :/

The Post is delayed 

due to being unable to reach the plug for the computer,

as the tile was GOING with hammering, sawing and general confusion.

Hospice discussions for my mother and brother.

Family in town.

And no place to sit to think.

Praying happened!

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; 

He heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

1 Peter 2:16

Live as people who are free, 

not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, 

but living as servants of God.

Jesus Christ came to define me as His Child.
Jesus Christ defines me.
Jesus Christ defines ALL who Believe in Jesus.
We are not defined by what we bring to God. The Grace of God is that Jesus Christ gives to us.

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 

waiting for our blessed hope, 

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness 

and to purify for Himself a people f

or His own possession who are zealous for good works.

Romans 10 explains the message of Salvation is for All

Submit to God's righteousness. 

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 

6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 

8 But what does it say? 

“The word is near you, 

in your mouth and in your heart” 

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord 

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

you will be saved. 

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

11 For the Scripture says, 

“Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

God gives us all trials in Life. We are in the midst of them, just overcoming one, or coasting to one. When we know what God would have us do, 

we continue in the direction God gives us. 

We know in our hearts what He directs us to do. We are given God's Word explaining the adoption of Jesus to us.

Sometimes the trials in life feel pretty horrible. And we are frank with God and say, "How can this be God's Will for me?" That is - ok - with the Lord Father God Almighty we see in Jesus. John 21 says Jesus comes to us from the cross and the horrors of that time for the Lord and HE makes breakfast, provides breakfast, and we complain. Jesus is still for us - this is real relationship.

We honor God knowing what He does for us and returning His Love. Giving to others. Finding Joy Jesus tells us is in life. Being Blessing seekers and being blessing givers.

In real relationship, days may come.

 And Jesus sees us at our best and worst - affirming "My Child." Jesus does this with such love that even those who acted as Peter, know the Word of Life in God and will return. No one is shamed to return - God fills us. Sustains us. Encourages us. Redeems us. Renews us. Helps us. All we need to do is that GOD is the one in charge. Jesus Loved Peter at All Times. Jesus loves us in this same way.

Does God love us less or more when we chose what He would not have us chose?

God thought this would occur to us right away. He gave us Cain and Able. He gave us the example of Solomon. Our God gave us the example of Hezekiah. Abba gave us the example of Elijah. He gave us the life outcomes of John, the Beloved Disciple staying with Jesus on Good Friday and writing to us of Heaven from the astonishing, long life being lived on Patmos. Father God has given us the example of Peter buried 80 feet below the Vatican altar. With his bones showing crucifixion. 

Salvation is for all people who call upon Jesus.

Abba, Father God, 

Cover us with Jesus Living in us. Dwelling. Help us to seek You First.

 Protect us from all evil. Fulfill Your purpose in our lives. Thank You for praying parents. 

Through Jesus Christ we are Overcomers, only in Jesus Christ are we truly free. 

Guide us in Wisdom, Cover us in Your Love, Seal us in Your Mercy, Forgive our Sins,

Keep us on Your Path and in Your Plan.

Bless our Nation with Goodness to Overcome the Pandemic.

Bless the earth, Your Good Creation.

In Your Great Love let us bring forth Love to the others around us.

Father God reconcile us with Joy to Your Love and Your Plan.

For ourselves, our family, our friends, our neighbors, our Church, 

our co-workers, our State 

and Our Nation shining to all those who believe the Highest Name of Jesus.

Amen. Amen Amen Amen. In Jesus Christ, Wonderful, we have the Alleluia.

Thank YOU, Lord Jesus Saves

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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God is Love. Actively. Presently. Abundantly. Enduringly, Eternally!

This Sermon will be one of the top Sermons I Will remember. We should all have Sermons to dwell within.

This discussion proclaims why Jesus is the Messiah of God. Why our hearts are warmed as we recognize the Lord God we know innately. We recognize Jesus as well as Jesus loves and knows Zacchaeus. Millenniums later.

Abundant Jesus. Always.

ABBA, FATHER,

May Father God,

May the Lord make His face to shine upon us and keep us, 

make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. 

May our Lord God Almighty lift up His countenance upon us and smile.

 As we live His Joy. Being given His Peace. Jesus live in us.

And we are truly Blessed in Jesus. 

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Mark 7:31-37 ~ Jesus has done everything Well

 

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Mark 7:31-37

  

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon,

down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 

32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, 

and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened 

and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. 

But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.

 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. 

“He has done everything well,” they said. 

“He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus does what we don't always do.  Jesus has taken the time to communicate. And in His Love and attention, Jesus has made the mute speak and the deaf hear. This level of communication requires care.

And Jesus is abundant Life and Living water for this attention and Love.

We hear so much about the man lowered through the roof. This man who is deaf and mute has people praying for him very successfully in Jesus. Abundant Life.  Isn't this large intervention as worthy as a trip through the roof to meet Jesus!

Remember during Psalm Sunday, the infants and children cried out for the Glory of God's Only Son. 

The people are again astonished and eager to tell about Jesus and the Glory of God. 

Even the humility for the miraculous.

Jesus was stretching the Disciples. He didn't explain the mission of today.

Jesus lived the message.

A very good idea to ponder on Mother's Day.

This man isn't a young man or well man. There is no easy fix until God gave. As He always does.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, 

sustaining all things by His Powerful Word.

Abba, Father,

All Things are Possible with You.

We will Pray with Hope.

Abide in us. Live Abundantly.

Help us to Seek You First.

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, "With human beings this is impossible, 

but not with God; 

all things are possible with God."

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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