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Thoughts Archived > Stay....Share....Expect


14 Apr 2019

                      

 

April 14, 2019

    Stay....Share....Expect    

Acts 28: 11-22

 

 

Acts

It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island - an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as the figurehead.  Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.  From there we sailed across to Rhegium.  A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli.  There we found some believers, who invited us to stay with them seven days.  And so we came to Rome. 

The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way.  Others joined us at The Three Taverns.  When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Three days after Paul's arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders  He said to them, "Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.  The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, for they found no cause for the death sentence.  But when the Jewish leaders protested the decisions, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.  I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could tell you that I am bound with this chain because I believe the hope of Israel - the Messiah - has already come,"

They replied, "We have heard nothing against you.  We have had no letters from Judea or reports from anyone how has arrived here.  But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about these Christians is that they are denounced everywhere."

    

 

 

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 Thoughts....

 

 

1.  There may be brief stays along the journey.

2.  Stay with believers where you are welcomed.

3.  Welcome those who share your belief.

4.  Thank God.

5.  Continue in courage.

6.  Expect to be watched.

7.  Appeal to leadership....share your story to get acquainted.

8.  State your belief in the hope of Israel - The Messiah has already come....the promise has been revealed.

9.  Expect....receive a good report about yourself.

10.  Be willing to share what you believe to overcome denouncement of Christians. 

 

 

 

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Let Us Pray

 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit forgive me for my sins, so that I may be a cleansed vessel to which Holy Spirit would want to come, rest and have his being, to lead, guide and direct me.  Heal me and make me whole.  Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.  Forgive those who know not what they do....admonish those who do.  Usher in all those who worship you when their time has come.  In the meantime, may we all stay....in your heart, where we are welcomed.  May you watch us and over all those in the world who watch us.  And help us please when we have to appeal to leadership and share what we believe to overcome denouncement of Christians.  And while you are 'at it', would you mind please straightening out the minds of Christians who seem to be brainwashed from years of following the same pulpit message and not reaching out to Holy Spirit directly for your truths.  Satan has whole factions of Christians believing in things that just are not scriptural in any way, shape, or form.  Just like Paul is trying to give your truths, help those of us who do listen to YOU, share what YOU would have us to know, think, believe in, pray for, and act as.  Most important, please stay in the hearts of those who love you, and help us to give you reason to want to stay for the journey.  I thank you.  I praise you.  I love you.  Amen.               

        

 

 

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 More love.... 

 

 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

 

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

 

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  Our Continual Cause

 

 

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

    

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

 

 

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  One last thing....

 

 

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

 

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Bible Authors & Minister