Acts 11– 12

Acts 11– 12

Acts 11 continues the account of Peter’s change of heart about preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, but then what was he supposed to do? After all, those who received Christ under Peter’s teaching received the Holy Spirit. Peter could do nothing else except baptize them in the name of Jesus Christ.

When he returns to Jerusalem, he has to explain his going into a Gentile’s home and eating with them. He reminds them of the Lord’s words about John baptizing with water, but that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. “And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”

Early on the in ministry of the apostles, John’s brother James is killed with a sword. Chapter 12 relates one of the best stories in the entire book of Acts. Peter is imprisoned, but the Lord sends an angel to loose his chains and release him from prison. Meanwhile, the church was praying at the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. When Peter knocks on the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda hears his voice and is so overjoyed that she leaves Peter standing outside the door and runs back inside to tell everyone that Peter is standing outside the door. Too funny!

Peter’s chains falling off always remind me of a verse of the song And Can It Be:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 13– 14.

I arrived at my brother’s safely about 2 pm -- a beautiful day for a drive.

Until next time.

Acts 9 – 10 and Lunch with Family

Acts 9– 10

As we discussed yesterday, Saul was extremely passionate about persecuting the new church. Acts 9 says “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.” He is so intent on his task that he requests letters from the high priest that will ask various synagogues in Damascus for cooperation in arresting any followers of the Way he finds in their area. He was intent on bringing these people back to Jerusalem in chains.

On his way to Damascus, Saul encounters the very Lord whose followers he is intent on tracking down. There’s no doubt the Lord wanted to get Saul’s attention. There was a bright light. Saul heard a voice asking why he was persecuting him (Jesus). He was struck blind and told to go into Damascus and see a believer named Ananias who lived on Straight Street.

Jesus obviously knew what it would take to convince Saul that he was doing the wrong thing. Saul accepted the Lord, was filled with the Holy Spirit and regained his sight. He stayed with the believers in Damascus a little while and became just as adamant to preach the gospel as he was to wipe it out. He was such an effective preacher that some of the Jews plotted against him. The believers had to lower him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

Throughout Paul’s ministry, Paul encounters people who knew he had been persecuting the church and were afraid to trust him because of that. Even when he arrives in Jerusalem the first time after his conversion, all of the believers were afraid to have anything to do with him until Barnabas told them that Saul had seen the Lord. I’m sure this contributed to the close friendship Paul shared with Barnabas.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 11– 12.

Lunch with Family

Today, I was privileged to have lunch with Mark’s brother Don, Don’s wife Rose, my sister-in-law Esther and my nephew Steve.at Old Town Pizza in Plant City. The lunch was great, but the fellowship was very special. Don and Rose live in Johnson City and, as a result of the distance, I don’t get to see them too often. They are such great people, as are Esther and Steven. I am so thankful that I have such a great family, not only mine through birth, but also mine by virtue of having been married to Mark. I am indeed so blessed.

Until next time…

Acts 7– 8 & Some Pictures

Acts 7– 8

If you ever want a great summary of the history of the Jews, you would do well to read Stephen’s message to the Jewish leaders. He subtly accuses them and infuriates them so much that they stone him. He really knew his Scriptures and followed the example of our Lord in asking God not to charge his killers with their sin. As you can see, a man named Saul was involved in holding the coats of those who stoned Stephen. He “was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.”

This incident was the beginning of a “great wave of persecution.” As you can imagine, this resulted in everyone except the apostles being scattered through the regions. Saul played a big part in this persecution, going from home to home, actively pursuing people who loved our Lord. And what was the end result of this persecution? God used what men intended for evil. The good news was spread through the world.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 9– 10.

Pictures From the Party

I promised to show some pictures from teh party Richard and I attended yesterday. They aren’t very good since I took them on my iPhone and couldn’t really see what I was doing. (No comments that it would be the same even if I could see what I was doing- :)

 

 

 

 

 

A Picture of My New TV

Today, my brother Jeff arrived from Lawrenceville, GA, and brought me a present: a 47-inch LG HDTV. The picture doesn’t do it justice.As I have said beforek, I have the absolute best family and the finest friends of anyone in the world.

This TV is so great, I might open it up to the public and charge admission.

Tomorrow, Jeff leaves to go back to GA and Tuesday, I will also go there for our annual Thanksgiving get-together.

We all have so much to be thankful for and not just material things either.

Until next time…

Acts 4 – 7 and a Great Party

Acts 4– 6

Just imagine: 5000 new believers not counting women and children. The religious leaders did not like this at all and had Peter and John arrested. When asked by what power or in whose name they were doing this, Peter (note: “filled with the Holy Spirit”) answered them, telling them it was in the name of Jesus the crippled man was healed and “there is no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Considering how Peter and John had acted when Jesus was arrested, I guess it is no surprise that the council was amazed they would be so brave and teach so well.

They had thought that by crucifying Jesus their problems would be solved. Now they are dealing with more than one person. They warn Peter and John not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name again. Don’t you love their reply? “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

You could almost fee sorry for the high priest and the council. They are afraid to punish Peter and John and when they have them arrested, they find out they disappeared from the prison. Still, they go right back out to preach.

Are you compelled by the Holy Spirit to speak of God’s grace and goodness?

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 7– 8.

A Great Party

Today, my cousin Richard and I went to a party a couple of doors down from my house. There was great food, great fun ahd great fellowship. We had some entertainment including 3 guitars, a double ukelele, a washtub bass and a washboard. I took some pictures on my iPhone and will try to post them tomorrow. I am somewhat exhausted tonight.

Acts 1 – 3 and Moving Furniture

Acts 1 – 3

What a contrast we see in the disciples and others after they are filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter goes from denying Christ three times to a brave speaker, who goes out in public and preaches Jesus. He does a great job of laying out the Scriptures for the crowd with understanding that I don’t think he had until he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter and John take up Jesus’ healing ministry and the church grows exponentially.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 4– 6.

Moving Furniture

Today I moved the furniture around in my living room, mainly so I could have my main phone in easy reach of my computer desk. Needless to say, my back is a little sore – that furniture is heavy and I am beat.

I did my part for the Pap John Appreciation Day/ Buy-cott and picked up a double bacon, six-cheese pizza. It was okay, but I prefer Anthony’s Coal-Fired pizza or even Olde Town Pizza. I had a couple of pieces and left the rest for my cousin.

Time to go to bed.

Until next time…

Luke 24 and John 20 - 21

Today, we finish up the four gospels and tomorrow we will begin reading the Acts of the Apostles.

This passage in Luke contains one of my favorite stories – the two followers of Jesus who are walking toward the village of Emmaus. Luke tells us this village is seven miles from Jerusalem. You can imagine their conversation – “talking about everything that had happened.” Jesus himself “suddenly” comes along and begins walking with them. “But God kept them from recognizing him.” Why do you suppose God did this?

Jesus, who always knows the exact question to ask, asks them what they are talking about so intently. Cleopas is astounded and tells Jesus he must be the only person who hasn’t heard about all that had happened there in the last few days.

Eventually, Jesus takes them through the Scriptures and explains which ones referred to the Messiah. Convincing Jesus to stay the night in Emmaus, the break bread together and it is at that point they realize who they are entertaining. Jesus then disappears. This encounter convinces them that the Lord has really risen.

One of my favorite Southern gospel songs is “On the Road to Emmaus” sung by the Steeles. If you have a moment, please listen to it on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHLutfyIC6Q

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 1 – 3.

Until next time…

Matthew 28 and Mark 16

Once again I’m struck by the words: “Don’t be afraid.” Or “Don’t be alarmed.” This had to be a confusing time for Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Their beloved Lord had been hauled away by the authorities. He had been tried and found guilty. He had been beaten, been mocked, and was finally crucified. They watched as he gave up his spirit and died. They watched as he was taken down from the cross and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They saw the great rock rolled in front of the tomb. And, then, to top it all off, as they come to the tomb, there is a great earthquake and they behold an angel outside the tomb.

The Roman guards see this too, but are bribed to say the disciples stole the body. As Roman soldiers, if this were true, they would have been killed for dereliction of duty.

Not only did the angel tell them not be afraid, but when they ran into Jesus, he also told them, “Don’t be afraid.”

What a confusion of emotions the ladies and the disciples must have experienced. Just imagine how you would have felt.

When things are happening that you don’t understand or that threaten to overwhelm you, please remember the words: “Don’t be afraid.”

Tomorrow, we’ll read Luke 24 and John 20 - 21.

Once again I’m struck by the words: “Don’t be afraid.” Or “Don’t be alarmed.” This had to be a confusing time for Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Their beloved Lord had been hauled away by the authorities. He had been tried and found guilty. He had been beaten, been mocked, and was finally crucified. They watched as he gave up his spirit and died. They watched as he was taken down from the cross and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They saw the great rock rolled in front of the tomb. And, then, to top it all off, as they come to the tomb, there is a great earthquake and they behold an angel outside the tomb.

The Roman guards see this too, but are bribed to say the disciples stole the body. As Roman soldiers, if this were true, they would have been killed for dereliction of duty.

Not only did the angel tell them not be afraid, but when they ran into Jesus, he also told them, “Don’t be afraid.”

What a confusion of emotions the ladies and the disciples must have experienced. Just imagine how you would have felt.

When things are happening that you don’t understand or that threaten to overwhelm you, please remember the words: “Don’t be afraid.”

Tomorrow, we’ll read Luke 24 and John 20 - 21.

Until next time…