Monday 4/25/2005
Acts 10.34-48 - So Peter has a chance now to tell his story - tell the Gospel and he does- he tells how Jesus came for all people and how only some saw Jesus after the resurrection - how he was one of those people and now his job is to tell others about Jesus - to announce clearly that Jesus is the one God has chosen to judge the living and the dead - and all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven - then the Holy Spirit took control of all the people listening - these people were Gentiles! - So Peter ordered that they be baptized-- Jesus came for ALL people - Jesus saved all of us- not just the Jews -and the Holy Spirit confirmed it- Thanks be to God!
Joshua 9-10 - So Israel is close to the Gibeonites-- The Gibeonites come up with the idea of pretending that they lived far away -they go into the Israelite camp and talk to Joshua- telling Joshua that they had heard about God and the Israelites- how powerful and all and wanted a treaty since they lived so far away Joshua promised that Israel would not kill the Gibeonites-- come to find out later they were in cities nearby that the Israelites were to take-- Joshua didn’t ask God if he should make the treaty -- so since promises were held in high regard- the Israelites made the Gibeonites slaves of the temple---So now that Israel had control of the Gibeonites a bunch of kings are afraid- they join ranks to fight Israel- well now it all starts - God sends Joshua out - gives victor after victory - it all gets bloody now- the kings are found and Joshua has his soldiers put their feet on the necks of the kings- and kills all these kings-- God gives victory to Israel in town after town and the Israelites trust in God-- even to the point of God sending large hailstones to kill most of the enemy armies-- and the sun and moon standing still for a while so that the enemy can be wiped out-- all pretty amazing stuff with the power of God on display to defend the Israelites-- it’s comforting to know that God is so powerful - just think of how hard God will fight for me- against evil, the devil and all his empty promises-- God will fight even to the death of his Son -- but in the end- the victory of this battle is with Jesus- for he brought out of the battle of death, destruction and shed blood ---- the wonder of life everlasting in God’s kingdom-- the battle is won-- Thanks be to God!!
Job 25 - God is the one to fear- he is the creator of all- trust, love and respect God!
While I’m living in the meantime -between the acts- may I see God’s current might acts- believe and do the work I’m called to do and set the stage for Jesus - here and now
Go-Make-Baptize-- this is a command!
Mark 1.1-15 - Prepare the way of the Lord- baptize- get ready - repent- be forgiven- be humble before God- God is pleased with Jesus- proclaim the good news of God- the kingdom is here now!
Psalm 26 - “ LORD, I love the house in which you dwell“- you have prepared a wonderful upper room for me in that house
Prayer- Lord you give me a story to tell- you give me a life to witness about - you give me the love of Jesus to tell and show to the world- Lord you give me a story to tell of how you came to me - saved me and forgave me- make me bold to tell the story - make me strong to fight the fight- give me all the trust and hope and faith I need to follow you into your kingdom this day - to work in your kingdom here and now - yea- set the stage for your coming - your coming into the lives of people all around me - today and into the timeless future only you can understand- this is your kingdom - and all the glory and power belongs to you - you are God it’s time to go - to make disciples- to baptize and to tell your story -- Amen
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