Monday, May 09, 2005

May 9th Reflection

Monday 5/9/2005

Acts 19.1-20 - Paul meets some people in Ephesus who were followers but had only heard of John the Baptist- they had been baptized - Paul tells these people about Jesus and places his hands on them and they receive the Holy Spirit - speak in tongues and prophesy -- So Paul hangs out here at makes sure everyone hears the message of Jesus grace - Paul let God work through him so powerfully- the people would pick up things of Paul’s and use them to heal or cast out evil spirits- there were a group of guys that went around casting out demons in the name of Jesus and Paul- they were really a couple of hacks it sounds like to me - so one time the spirit says I know Paul and I know Jesus - but who are you? - the spirit beats them up- I guess the point is to make sure I believe before I go around trying to do all these fantastic things - believe and trust in God - not myself.

Judges 10.1-11.33 - Tola was the next judge- His father was Puah and his grandfather was Dodo - this family must have had a hard time naming their children! - Then Jair was judge - hey!- great news about this one- each son had his own mule!- he had thirty sons- so I guess thirty mules too!- whoopee!--it really shows that they were wealthy-finally to Jephthah- he was from Gilead -but his mom was a prostitute so they kinda kicked him out- the relatives thought they were better- but Jephthah must have been a leader - cause they were having trouble with the Ammonites- one time with Moses there was a battle over some land the Israelites were attacked over as they moved through the desert - well - the Ammonites wanted to reclaim it- but the leaders of Gilead finally convinced Jephthah to come back and command their army - even though his relatives kicked him out- and Jephthah let the Spirit take control of him and defeated the enemy. --

Job 39 -God talks about his mighty creative power in animals-I like this part too- they are living breathing beings- God created and must have had a blast with their creation.

And perfect love and friendship reign throughout eternity - What is God like? - Love beyond understanding!

Receive forgiveness- God gives it to me.

Numbers 11.24-30 - Moses took seventy leaders and placed them all around the tent- God put his spirit in them and they prophesied- hmmm- Moses really would have been happy for all God’s people to prophesy

Daniel 3.1-3, 8-28 - Don’t serve any other gods- none! - and be ready for death- God will save you no matter what

Psalm 3 - Salvation belongs to God- don’t forget - it is his- not a right of mine- only God saves- accept the gift- he didn’t have to give it!

Prayer- Lord Jesus - lead me to know you - to hear you - to receive the Holy Spirit - to proclaim you - to worship only the one true God- to accept your grace - to live in joy - to proclaim your Word to all the world- to go to battle when needed- to feel the Spirit work through me- to receive forgiveness- to love others beyond understanding - for you are God- you are mighty - you are all powerful and all is yours. Send me this week into your kingdom to do your work- it’s a blast! - it’s fun! - it’s play! - and you make it all so easy - Thanks be to God!! --- Amen

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