Acts 7:17 ~ God to fulfill His Promise †

 

Abba, Father God,

 Now,

May the God of Peace Himself 

sanctify you completely, 

and may your whole spirit and soul and body 

be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful

 He will surely do it!

We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus,

we seek and find God's Blessing.

We give You our cares,

Your Steadfast Love assures us

You care for us.

Corrie Ten Baum witnessed to Your Steadfast Love

and need for Prayer.

Corrie Ten Baum saw the need for hope of such magnitude 

even the fleas

could be relied upon 

for Your Good Purpose.

The Exodus also declares the Impossibility You display.

The King James Version of the Bible calls the 

Impossibility and Improbability of God, "Vouchsafe"

 

Acts 7:17

As the time drew near for God 

to fulfill His Promise to Abraham, 

the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

 4 Then Abrahm went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.

 5 Yet He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 

8 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 

 9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 

12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 

14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 

 17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt

Jacob became a household of 75 people.

Genesis 30

29 Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, 

and how your livestock has fared with me. 

30 For you had little before I came, 

and it has increased abundantly,

 and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned.

and the stronger Jacob's. 

43 Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, 

female servants and male servants, 

and camels and donkeys.

Genesis 12 and Genesis 13

19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? 

Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 

20 Then Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram, 

and they sent him away with his wife 

and all his possessions.

13 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, 

and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 

Genesis 20 and 21

14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, 

and male servants and female servants, 

and gave them to Abraham, 

and returned Sarah his wife to him.

 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; 

dwell where it pleases you.” 

16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, 

I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. 

It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, 

and before everyone you are vindicated.” 

17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, 

and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.

 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech 

because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. 

21 The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, 

and 

the Lord did to Sarah as He had promised. 

2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age 

at the time of which God had spoken to him. 

3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, 

whom Sarah bore him, 

Isaac.

Mark 3

7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, 

and a great crowd followed, 

from Galilee and Judea 

8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan 

and from around Tyre and Sidon. 

When the great crowd heard all that He was doing, 

they came to Him. 

9 And He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him

 because of the crowd, 

lest they crush Him

Luke 24

15 While they were talking and discussing together, 

Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 

16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 

17 And He said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding

 with each other as you walk?” 

And they stood still, looking sad. 

18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, 

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem 

who does not know the things 

that have happened there 

in these days?” 

19 “What things?” He asked. 

 “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. 

“He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God 

and 

all the people.

Hebrews 12

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, 

and let us run with endurance 

the race that is set before us, 

Looking to Jesus,

 the founder and perfecter of our faith, 

Who for the joy that was set before Him 

endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus, being Your Son, went in a more unbelievable direction

603,550 people, in Numbers 1:46 

The Exodus people 

God was to feed and water in the absolute desert.

Jesus said such impossible goals of God Himself

He went from 72 Disciples to 70 Disciples and then 

explained to 12 Disciples, they would form His Church. 

 Father, 

Please give us Health in all aspects.

 And our families.

For all the Children of God who have suffered and call out

to You, Father, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5 

In the midst of a very severe trial,

 their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, 

and even beyond their ability.

In Jesus, we ask

Dwell in us, Father

Send Your Holy Spirit as Helper

Dwell in those we love

and 

Help us to seek You first

And in Jesus,

we will finish well.

James 1:11b

So will the rich man fade away 

in the midst of his pursuits.

The Good News in Jesus

we are the truly noble

who know Jesus is Lord,

aspire to go forth

in His strength.

Ephesians 1:7-10

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of our trespasses, 

according to the riches of His grace,

 8 which He lavished upon us, 

in all wisdom and insight 

9 making known to us the mystery of His will, 

according to His purpose, 

which He set forth in Christ 

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, 

to unite all things in Him, 

things in heaven and things on earth.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

And we say Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

John 20:29 ~ and yet have believed

 

Jesus replied to Jeremiah's writings by saying:

 

John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, 

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; 

blessed 

are those who have not seen 

and yet 

have believed."

Before the Pandemic, the most asked about prayer for those who feel assured in Jesus giving His Promises of Salvation, usually ask prayer for those who are suffering in life and unsure. Does this happen today?  I'm not certain, Christian polling numbers are placed more in the political realm of pollsters.  We know that believers currently say 60% make time during the week for The Lord and their heart placed with Him in prayer and worship, their thoughts.

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God 

and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms 

with every spiritual blessing 

in Christ.

We have seen even a glimpse of what Jesus has done in the Gospels. We can name something miraculous.

1 John 5:13

I write these things to you 

who believe in the Name of the Son of God 

so that you may know t

hat you have eternal life.

The Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine

 

Deuteronomy 30:19

This day I call the heavens and the earth 

as witnesses against you that 

I have set before you life and death, 

blessings and curses. 

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

We pray for others, knowing how deep and wide is the Love Jesus has for His People. And we pray, knowing Jesus walks on water. Nothing is impossible for Jesus.  The dead rise to life again, as did Jairus daughter.  And the widow's son.

Colossians 2:2

My goal is that they may be encouraged 

in heart and united in love, 

so that they may have the full riches 

of complete understanding,

 in order that they may know 

the mystery

 of God, 

namely, Christ

Jesus purposefully is a mystery. He tells us the work of mankind is to believe. The path to Heaven is said to be narrow. It's not the same gigantic highway for each of us. In finding the wilderness, Jesus put Himself in, to be found by the crowds, the seeking and the journey became the understanding of His Love, Joy and Salvation.

The Disciples walked with Jesus. Some were told, day one. And years passed before Jesus asked them who they thought He was. Not all jumped up to answer His question. 

Hebrews 11

19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, 

and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. 

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, 

blessed each of Joseph’s sons

 and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

The bravery of Jacob to give His Blessing even to Joseph's sons, who were Gentiles by birth.

The bravery of Jacob to believe Israel, as a Nation, would even be available to Give Abraham's Blessing. Only by faith, was this done.

Hosea 3:5

Afterward the Israelites will return

 and seek the LORD 

their God 

and David their king. 

They will come trembling to the LORD 

and to His blessings in the last days.

This bulla, and the seal on the Papyrus, are for an Egyptian order of grain for Hezekiah.

All accomplished by faith.

1 Corinthians 9:23

I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, 

that I may share 

in its blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5:28

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

John 17:13

3 But now I am coming to You, 

and these things I speak in the world, 

that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 16:24-28 ~ will find life

Matthew 16:24-28

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life^[soul] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Yesterday we looked at Scripture telling us He loves us as we are. How wide, how high, how deep is His love.  Creating us to be uniquely ourselves.

Today we are looking at self-denial leading to Heaven ~ His Kingdom. Suffering is just Not my favorite part of loving the Lord. We once heard a Baptist Pastor who cried when he spoke of Peter saying crucify me upside down, not as my Lord. And that sight will melt your heart & remind you just how seriously the men who followed the Lord were willing to go.

We will Sing of the Saints of God and I want to be one too, but this is not my favorite verse and I would like to tackle this.

Usually, my reaction to this verse it to hope, with prayer, a cross is Not required of me. One of the phrases I think about when integrity and determination is required of me ~ "When the line is drawn, where will I stand." Will I be happy with myself, feeling I've pleased Jesus. Our Hero. Our Savior. I want to do my best for the Lord, however Passion of the Christ is a wonderful, life changing, soul jerking, sadness to see Innocence and Goodness die for me. I watched that at our house with our Couples Class again. And we sat and cried our hearts out. Jack, a wonderful Christian, said something so profound, "How could we watch that, without knowing Easter is coming."  We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song. 

We are so cavalier about placing a cross around our necks. God has shaped our world ~ this is victory over death. When Jesus said this, He did indeed mean to die for our beliefs. In the Early Church, not all chose to die, but to flee, not forgetting to carry the Gospels and New Testament, God spreading His Word in their living determination to please Him.

Jesus turned to Peter, as a lot of disciples left, hearing we were to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus, with His amazing compassion, knows how we react to hard statements. Peter told Jesus, what so many of us know. Jesus has the words of life. And is compassion for the weak.



Matthew 11:13-19
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”


We are dealing with carrying a cross seriously, not being glib. This is something, if we are honest, we would have to grow into. Peter fled. All the disciples fled. Only John went peacefully into the world knowing he as the beloved disciple had stood for Jesus. Jesus does not ask lightly.

In my entire life, I've only heard one person cling to the verse about carrying a cross. And that was a loved one who was dying. And felt equipped for the journey Home. This changed for them from the beginning of the illness, to the hope of redemption. Clinging they said, not to any old cross, But HIS cross. This I understand fully. 

One of the reasons we see almost all the disciples willing to give up earthly lives for Him, the deep breath of forgiveness given to them. Once they tasted peace, they were unwilling to live unforgiven. 

Solomon said the house of mirth is the house of fools. And Jesus created a New Covenant with God for us. Saying, if the Bridegroom is with us, how can we fast. And sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Creating an opportunity for us to face the true and sometimes grim realities the Scriptures tell us exist with an attitude of Jesus in the Ship, asleep, trusting God. Looking to the future with hope, trusting that God will provide and we will encounter suffering with Real Hope. 

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 


So do we glory in our sufferings? I will tell you this with certainty!!!! I got past those suckers!!  There is a Christian song out there saying You trust me in my problems to look to You. I do believe the Lord could say that to me!  And the song - "Stronger" ~ you bet, crank that song up LOUDER.

Peter so bravely endured a cross given to Him, but Peter's hope was and is Jesus. Who does not want to be seen as being loving. We expect this in Jesus, not calling Him fierce and determined, saying He has these beautiful attributes.

1 Chronicles 16:33

Then shall the trees of the forest

 sing for joy 

before the Lord, 

for He comes to judge the earth.

1 Chronicles 29:17

I know, my God, that you test the heart

 and have pleasure in uprightness. 

In the uprightness of my heart 

I have freely offered all these things, 

and now I have seen your people, 

who are present here, 

offering freely and joyously 

to You.

Abba, Father, 

I'd be dishonest to say - let me have a cross to carry. 

Forgive me Father God. For asking for comfort. 

I want to be the beloved disciple.  

I prefer Lord, with deep gratitude, knowing You paid the price for me. 

Knowing nothing I could ever do would save me, 

only the Goodness of You being innocent 

and taking my stripes for me. 

I will not fear, but trust You as life unfolds, You dwell with me. 

When my life requires me to be bold for you, be brave, 

let Your unfailing Love and Steadfast Mercy 

lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. 

I so acknowledge each day, 

I need Your Salvation.  

Lord Jesus. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus