Acts 1:1-2 – In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
The author of the book of Acts is Luke. He was often a companion of the Apostle Paul. Evidence seems to point that Luke was a doctor. In Colossians 4:14 Paul confirms that. That is proof enough.
The book of Acts was likely written circa AD 63. Supporting this date is what is not included in Acts, such as 1) What happened after Paul’s Roman Imprisonment? 2) Why didn’t Luke include the burning of Rome and the subsequent persecution of the Christians (AD 64)? 3) The martyrdoms of Peter and Paul? 4) Glaringly missing is He did not record the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). It would be inconsistent that if Luke was writing the book after AD 63, perhaps around AD 70 or later, that he would not have included these historical events of the church. The year that this book was written is important. In fact the year all of the NT was written is important. Jesus was crucified and resurrected about AD 33. Paul (Luke’s mentor) was martyred about AD 64. It seems incomprehensible that Luke would not have recorded Pau’s death and also would not have recorded the death of Peter (circa AD 64 and AD 68) if the book was written after their deaths. The date of authorship seems strong at AD 63. The Gospel written by Luke was written shortly before Acts. When historical documents are questioned, the further they are dated from what they are writing about, the more that critics can be skeptical. However, the book of Acts was contemporary to the events making its accuracy much more likely. The book is well acknowledged as historically accurate. The book of Acts is a very reliable document, written by an educated man, and that book was written contemporary to the events he was writing about. Luke’s literary skill was outstanding and is conceded a being so.
The book of Acts is the second book of Luke recording the life, works and continuing ministry of Jesus. The Gospel according to Luke primarily deals with the life and works of Jesus up to His Ascension to Heaven. The book of Acts displays that through Jesus (now in Heaven), His Spirit remained with His church to save, guide and empower them. Jesus had promised He would not leave them alone (John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5). It is a promise that remains for us. The book of Acts could be considered book two of a two part work. It flows naturally.
Acts presents the history of the church during Luke’s life. It gives us powerful defenses that the early church used to defend the Gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles. It provides a guide to modern believers as we observe how the early church lived in times of both prosperity and persecution. Clearly revealed is that Jesus’ church is not a work of man, not a very clever scheme of men, but the church lives because Jesus lives. It is empowered and protected by Jesus Himself. The church is loved by the Triune God. Family, as the book of Acts displays, and the fact that the church is alive and abounds today (in spite of contrary claims and what seems to be evidence otherwise), it is proof that we belong to the only God and we are safe in His hands! As the Lord told Peter in Matthew 16:18, not even the powers of hell will prevail against His church. When we are going through tough times (because we all do at times) the books of Acts is a reminder that God is our champion and He has never lost, and will never lose, in that spite of the spin of those of the world. Family, we are winners because our God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are winners who cannot be defeated. Though the enemy will shout across the battle lines to us that we are defeated, it is never so. We belong to the Almighty God and we are His beloved. God has declared our victory through Jesus before the enemy ever lived (He is a created being (Ezekiel 28:15). God, who was, who is and who ever more shall be, is our God. Our win is completed, we are just looking for the time we will reap the rewards of living for Christ. We must remember that no matter how dark the day, it is God who leads us out of it into the Light. Through Jesus, are victory is assured, in fact, it already is in place. Praise God who is so good to us! Praise our God who loves and cares for us so! We are winners because our Savior and Lord Jesus has already won. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withEphesians 2:6-7 – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
In case anybody wonders, in case anybody asks where I am. The answer is always the same. I with Jesus. He has cleaned me and made me whole. I love Him because He first loved me. I came to Him because He called, He found me where I was. I was hurting deeply and had no answers for the pain. He came to me, cleaned filth off of me, and showed me His love which He always had for me, in spite of my blindness. In spite of my ugliness. Jesus loves me first and foremost. He is the only one who can love me in the way and the completeness that He does. Loving me is not easy, except to Him. Since He completely knows me and still completely loves me, I am free to talk over everything with Him. Thank you Jesus!
Where I am is where He is. It is where I am and where I ever want to be. I cling to Him who lovingly grabbed me and pulled me to Him. Whether in this life, or in eternity, I will ever be with Jesus. Not by my ability, power or idea am I with Him. He did it all. He does it all. I am with Jesus. Always I am with Jesus. And such is true for all of you who also belong to Him. We all have the same testimony. It is good to be with Jesus all the time. Thank You God Almighty! Thank God! We are with God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withPsalm 33:20-22 – We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
We put our hope in the Lord and in the Lord alone. Our paychecks are from the Lord. Our abilities are from the Lord. Our health and the health of all we know and care about is from the Lord. Our life is from the Lord. Our joy, peace and protection is from the Lord. Our eternal future of joy, peace and protection is from the Lord. He is the only one who can assure us of these things. Our marriages are safe only by blessings from the Lord. Only Him. Not horoscopes, mediums, friends on the corner, or the phone, or on social media. Not anything cosmic. Not any person. He, Jesus, is alone the Way to an eternal future of joy, peace and protection. Armies do not protect our nation, only Jesus can. Wealth does not safeguard our nation, only He does. No person or thing is our Savior, Protector and Lord except Jesus.
As we hope for a blessed day today, let our hope be solely in the Lord God. Let us not wish upon empty wishes and hope upon empty hopes. Let us ask for all that we ask for from Him. If our heart is right and is yielded, we will receive what we pray for. God is good all the time and He loves us. Always and forever the Lord is faithful. Let us walk today, and every day with joy, peace, protection and hope. Let our hearts be joyful and our minds at rest. It is the Lord God Almighty whom we hope upon. We are safe. We are loved. Thank you Jesus! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob with1 John 4:10 – This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
It’s not about us. It’s not about me and it’s not about you. Long before we were born, many others were born and died. Before the first man and first woman were created by God, the animals of the land and sea were created. Before the animals of land and sea were created, the earth and all the universe were created. Before all of creation God was. God has no beginning and no end (since we are finite and He is infinite, some things we are to know that it is so and not know how it is so). God is before all, above all, and He made all. Family, it’s not about us, it’s about Him. Of primary importance is that in infinity past He knew each of us and loved us. Because He loved us He created us. If He had not loved us we would never have been.
God created mankind because He loved each and every one. Even after the first of mankind rejected Him, He still loved them. All the heavenly onlookers wondered what would become of mankind. God had a plan. He always has a plan. He always had a plan for you and He always had a plan for me. Yes, God has a plan. Though no heavenly being knew how to save mankind, God knew, and the plan was already in place, and the plan was already unfolding. God had a plan to save mankind because God loves mankind. Before man sinned God loved mankind. When man sinned, God loved mankind. After man sinned, God loved mankind. He loves mankind so He sent Jesus to rescue us. So Family, more important than that we repented and loved, and love, God, is that God first loved us. If He did not we would never have come into existence. If He did not love mankind He would never have made a way for mankind to be redeemed from the darkness of rebellion. Yes, God first loved us and because He did, because He is love, we able to love Him. He knew us first and loved us first and we are because He loved us.
Everything began with God. Sure, all things are not as God made them, but all things are because of God. Everything is about God! The focus of our life should be on God. He is our creator and the fulfillment of our lives. He has always loved each one of us.
Let’s make it easy on ourselves. Let’s remember the truth. It’s not about us, it’s all about God. Life is easier that way. God wants our lives to be about Him, not because of an ego or power trip, but because it is best for us. Remember that He first loved us. Let’s not worry about ourselves, let’s focus on God and pursue Him. The more we trust Him and not ourselves, the better it is for us. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s all about God. Let’s keep that in mind and truly enjoy life.
God is good all the time and all the time He loves us! Praise God! Thank you Lord! Praise you Lord.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withLuke 5:15-16 – Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Matthew 11:28-30 – “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 to live freely and lightly.” The Message
Often, though we love those in our lives, and though we strive to love all people that God loves (All in the world), sometimes we can be surrounded by people and still feel incomplete, still feel lonely, still feel like we are missing something. Get alone with Jesus.
When we are alone. When our hearts hurt for seemingly no reason. The answer is not always to get with friends and loved ones, very often the best thing we can do is enjoy being alone. We need to best use this time properly. Get alone with Jesus.
Jesus had crowds continuously seeking Him. They wanted things from Him. They wanted healings (Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:5-13). They wanted to see miracles (Luke 5:3-10, Matthew 12:38). They wanted answers (Mark 12:18-27). They wondered “Is this the One?”(Luke 7:20) Jesus loved these people and came to heal their deep wounds and to shepherd them back to God the Father (Matthew 9:36, Isaiah 53:6, Hebrews 3:10). He truly loved these people and He truly loved the mission the Father had given to Him (Luke 19:10, Galatians 4:4-5, Mark 10:45, Luke 5:31-32). Still, often, He would separate Himself. He had to because He loves the Father. He was setting an example. Jesus had to get alone with the Father.
Sometimes, not all the time, being alone is not a bad thing. Sometimes it is a very good thing so that we can be alone with God. After all, we all know that the best company we can have is to be in is the presence of God. People would like Jesus to appear and talk to them. Family, we, as children of God, are entitled and enabled to do that at any time. God calls us to get alone and be with Him. In His presence, when we move beyond the tangible to the intangible, the reality of the spirit over the physical, there is where we find Him who is always with us. The Truth is with us, He never leaves us, He is waiting for us to spend some alone time with Him. Better than alone time with any other is alone time with God. So, have we been alone with God today? The wonder is that we can be alone with Him at any time, no matter who or what surrounds us and no matter what our circumstances are. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego learned this truth before they were thrown into the fire. They could be present with God in the fire because they knew what it was to be alone with Him, at any time and at any place.
Get alone with Jesus.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob with1 John 1:9, 2:1-2 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The famous John 3:16 states that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to suffer and die so that Jesus could lead us back to eternal fellowship with God. Yet, though we hate it, we still sin. In spiritual agony we cry out to God “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”(Romans 7:24) We cry out to God that we will never do that sin again, and then we do. It is horrible and we can feel horrible.
But our wise and omniscient God has thought of everything (of course! =)). Jesus did not just pay the price for the sins of our past, but also for the sins we will do today, and for the sins that we will do for the future. 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2 make it clear that the grace of God continues to cleanse us. We need to truly repent, pick ourselves up and continue to believe God’s promise that He will not forget or forsake us but to continue to sanctify us. 1 Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” Yes we are chosen by God the Father, redeemed through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit never leaves us and is continually and constantly sanctifying us. Therefore as 1 Peter 1:2 states, grace and peace are ours in abundance. In fact, a never ending, never exhausted flow of grace comes to us through Jesus. Yes, inexhaustible! Praise God! And because God has thought of everything, our job is wonderfully to love God and obey Him as best we can every day. This is not to be taken lightly, and yet it sets us free to walk in His peace and joy! Jesus came to set free all who will come to Him, bow their hearts, their minds and their souls to Him as their Savior and Lord.
Family, yes it wounds us to hurt the Lord by our sinning. But God understands, His love remains (Hebrews 4:15), He will never cast us away (John 6:37), so we are free to live our lives in the joy and peace of God that can never be taken away. The joy and peace that is not dependent on circumstances or events is ours for eternity. We are free. Let’s remember that and let the freedom given to us reign. May His love, His joy, and His perfect peace flow through us that God is glorified. Praise God who loves us so! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withAmos 6:8 – The Sovereign Lord has sworn by himself—the Lord God Almighty declares: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it.” NIV
In a time of plenty, when overabundance was common, the people of Israel became overconfident, lazy and prideful. Their chests swelled and their talk became arrogant as they boasted of what they had instead of taught Who they had. They began to think that they were something instead of thinking of the greatness to whom they belonged. They gloated over the blessings they had, they compared their blessings one against another. Instead of constantly praising and thanking God, they began to think they were something though they were not the reason for their blessings. They were blessed only, yes only, because God blessed them. After all, we should all know people who have worked hard all their lives, sometimes great people, humble men of God, and yet lived their lives with humble belongings. Working hard may be blessed by God with many earthly belongings, and working hard may not mean many earthly belongings at all. Working hard is what we are expected to do and does not entitle us to being materially wealthy. After having worked hard, and been loyal to God, the praise belong only to God Himself. God is our highest reward. Though Heaven is wonderful, heaven is only great because God is there. The great blessing of loving and serving the Lord is the Lord Himself. In the end we shall live forever in His light with our eyes beholding the beauty of Him. That is the true, highest and most prized reward of loving and serving God. That is what the humble focus upon.
God calls us to be diligent, to persevere in our walk with Him (1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 10:36). We are never to stop working, to stop trying, to stop pushing forward. Paul let the Hebrew believers who (not all) became prideful and indolent, who let the value of the gift that saved them slip from them, know that their growth had become retarded and they were becoming something abhorrent and unnatural. He explained to them in Hebrews 5:11-14 that they had stopped trying, stopped pursuing, and stopped pushing in to grow and to learn. As a result their very lives were at risk. Paul carried the conversation forward into Hebrews Chapter 6. He simultaneously implored and commanded them to move beyond “elementary teachings” and to grow into maturity to learn the deeper truths of God. Family, people are often concerned about V’s 4-6 but these verses are not speaking to the child of God who loves their God and seeks Him with a ravenous heart and mind. It is speaking of those who once understood the elementary teachings of the Gospel and then, by purposeful determination, did not seek, and even rejected, growing in God. They did not value the gift of life they had received through Jesus. They had been enlightened, they have tasted the beauty of God the Holy Spirit within, they have had the wonder and the beauty of the Word of God revealed to them, they have experienced the majesty, power and gentleness of God’s very presence with them, and then, after all that, they have not considered all that God has done for them, and all that He has prepared for them, something worthy to be considered motivation to continue forward. They did not consider all that God had and was doing for them, and all His promises to come, something to be cherished. In the eyes of God they had scoffed at the love and blessings of God and considered it of little, or no value. These verses speak of the lazy, of the unappreciative and of those who tell God “I WILL NOT!”
These were the type of people that some of Israel had become. Therefore God came and in no uncertain terms identified Himself as the only Almighty and as the Only God. He declared to them that He, the Almighty God, will always and forever stand by His Word. He attested that He hates those who think that they are something, instead of God being the something, and so they are proud and think themselves invincible. Instead of being about the business of glorifying God they were paying homage to their selves. No gift was spared to themselves while the gifts of obedience and love to God were discarded and forgotten. Thinking themselves something became cursed (Romans 1:22, Proverbs 16:5). They became putrid to God and His disgust brought about a curse.
These Hebrews relied upon themselves and the work of their hands. They thought they could take care of themselves and no longer needed God. They raised themselves up and attempted to pull God from His throne that they may sit upon it. Terrible indeed. God said that they would be punished and conquered by a city of God’s choosing. Family, their evil was apparent to all of heaven but to none of them.
To stop pushing forward is to stop respecting the value of the gift that God has given to us through the works and person of Jesus our Savior and Lord. Let us not be those who no longer the value of blood of Jesus. Let us acknowledge His supreme and eternal position and account ourselves the humble, yet exalted position of God’s children. May we always, as Jesus did, seek to please our God and exalt Him. May we be thankful to Him and always point people to Jesus that they may exalt Him and come to be saved by Him. Let us encourage each other to push forward. Walking in love let us edify each other and speak the healing Word of God to each other. May we never tire of praising God and lifting Him up for the world to see. In the end we will reap the greatest reward which is walking forever with Him in His love. Praise God! Let us strain forward, hands outstretched to God and He will break the bonds that bind us. Freedom, not to sin, but to serve and love. Freedom! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withMatthew 11:28-30– “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 130 – “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”
Two men are stricken with their greatest fears. They are stricken with what they had prayed would never happen. Both men overwhelmed with grief. One man screams in anger at God and shouts an accusation to God saying “I thought You are good and that You love me! How can I believe that is true when You allowed this to happen to me. Because of this, I am no longer sure that I can trust you! You have not protected me against my greatest fear, so I wonder if You truly are loving and good!”
The second man cries out to God “Lord God, I do not understand why this has come upon me. Yet I trust you. I have told others that I know that You are good all the time and that always and forever Your love endures. I have proclaimed this not merely as a mantra or because I thought I should, but it is what I genuinely know to be true. I know it because You reveal Yourself to all who love You. Because I know you I know that, beyond anything else that I know, and anything that I can imagine or can reason, that You are good all the time and that You love me. This is the truth of my life and is my bulwark against the doubts that trouble can bring. When troubles come whom I know You to be remains. You Almighty Lord are good and loving and no evil is within You. I love you and trust You and know that You have everything in control.”
In these times many pastors will say that it is okay to be angry with God and to yell out in anger at Him. Family, it is never right to be angry at God. Certainly if in weakness we become angry and scream accusations at God, if we ask for forgiveness then He will forgive us, but even the asking of forgiveness is an admission of wrong. It is never right to accuse God of wrong. It is an offense to His very nature. One who accuses God errs. One who does so either does not personally know God, does not understand God, or is acting out like a petulant child lying screaming on the floor and kicking his feet. Again, can it be forgiven, yes, but it is still sin to accuse God. When Job suffered the loss of his servants, his livestock, and all his property he did not accuse God. When all his children were killed he did not accuse but instead spoke of his love and trust in God “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21b) At this point God records of Job “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22)(Underline added). When Job, after enduring much more horror and pain, finally began to question the situation that he was in, God was loving to him and challenged Job, asking him in Job 40:8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” God’s question to Job shows that when Job questioned the position that he was in He questioned the very nature of God. Job was questioning the goodness of God by challenging whether or not what God had allowed was a fair, or a just, decision by God. Job, being the man of God that he was, repented of his error of accusing God (Job 42:1-6).
In Jonah 4:1-11 we see that when what Jonah feared would happen did happen, he was angry at God! He falsely, and in ignorance accused God (All accusations of God are wrong). God asked Jonah twice if it was right for him to be angry. The answer of course was no. In V10-11 the Lord reminded him that only the Lord is the Lord and only He is sovereign. It is not the “right” of man to accuse God. God owes mankind no explanation and to think so is pride. If the Lord gives an explanation it is only out of His graciousness and kindness to our weakness. But He never owes us an explanation. We must understand who He is and His sure goodness and His love and there is never a reason to doubt Him.
We all hurt at times. But the more we grow in the Lord the shorter time that we will be overwhelmed and our lives stalled in grief. In faith we move on. We trust the Lord and are healed by His goodness and love. The Lord is our Rock and Fortress of safety and refuge (Psalm 18:2). He is the ever present help for those who love and seek Him (Psalm 46:1).
Psalm 130 honestly speaks that we will have trouble and hurt in the world. Jesus while offering comfort over troubles, confirmed that we all will have troubles, but that through the troubles we could have the deep and abiding peace of God to comfort and heal us (John 16:33). In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus, knowing that the loads of life are heavy and that they can wear us down, said to come to Him, to follow Him, and in Him, we shall peace and rest.
Family, accusing God can be forgiven, but it is never right. It is never our right. It is better to know God and by knowing God, we will know, beyond any circumstance or any contrary debate, that God is good all the time and that He loves us. Let’s use our breath and our voice to, from the depths of our heart and convictions of our minds, continue to praise God. In all circumstances and in all the events of life, God is worthy of praise. Peace comes from knowing God and having faith in Him. May we live out lives of faith and walk in His peace. God is good all the time and He loves us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 22:12-21 – “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.” Notice that this warning applies only to this scroll (Revelation). The principle applies to all of scripture though for the rest of scripture Deuteronomy 4:2 may be a better choice to quote “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” Another verse is Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to his words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Of course we understand that that we are not to add to God’s Word or take from it. As if God needed editing!
“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” God’s Word is holy and meant to bring us life, to keep us alive and to steer us away from evil and to keep us living with Him, as in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-17). God’s Word to Adam was to keep Him safe and from evil and God’s Word to us is likewise to keep us safe and in fellowship with Him and leading us to Eternal Live with Him (2 Timothy 3:16).
The same Word that used to say that if anyone “takes words away from this scroll of prophecy” is also used in stating that “God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City.” That word “aphaireō” means to take away from or to remove from. Now, one cannot take away from, or remove from, something that one did not have. For example, one cannot take a Word from the Bible if that word is not in it. Something cannot be taken from anyone unless someone first has it. This word definitely means to take something from someone that someone already has. The same word is used, with the same meaning of taking away what one has, in Luke 1:25, 10:42, 16:3 and Romans 11:27. Therefore, it seems clear that eternal life is something being taken away.
Revelation 22:14 states that those who have the right to the tree of life are those who are believers, who have had their robes washed, and we know that only happens by believing in Jesus.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Jesus again (Revelation 22:7) Himself gives testimony that the Words in Revelation are true. He then states that He is coming soon (again stating the same as in Revelation 22:7). Family, this our hope, this is what we are looking forward to, for Him to return and take us to be with God forever. Let us keep our hearts, and our minds and our eyes straining for the return of Jesus. He is the reward of our faith. Praise God! Thank you Jesus!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withPsalm 46:10a “Be still, and know that I am God.”
It is good to be in peace. The highest peace is to be in peace with God. How wonderful to be in total comfort, free of stress, no worries in mind because of being in the presence of God. To know His complete acceptance, His total love and the calm that comes to all who love Him and make themselves alone with Him. To be with Him in the midst of people and commotion and to yet to still be sharing quiet moments with Him. To take a deep breath and with the exhaled breath to be transported into His presence and to be so calm, so at peace and so surrounded by love that thoughts of stress and worries are not even thought of. To just be still, in the presence of God, to soak in the essence of Him and to relax and smile. How marvelous, exciting and just restful and wonderful, all at the same time. To go to sleep with Him and to wake with Him. To stop in moments of hurry, to refocus on Him and just know that He is and to know who He is. To know who one is to Him. What peace and rest to know that one is God’s own very precious child and completely loved and absolutely protected by Him. No worries, no fears, no anxious thoughts, just slow breathing and peace in the presence and arms of God.
No better place than being still and being in His presence. No better place than being still, really still, and knowing God. Oh how His presence is to be cherished. Relax, stay in, and enjoy our God! Praise God1
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob with