Prayer Of The Day

At church this past Sunday 3 parisioners re-enacted the scene with Pilot. It was pretty good. I always learn something new. :)
 
Christ is my passion. He is the center of my world. He consumes me completely. I really can't describe the feeling I have when it comes to loving and being in love with him. There is just this sense of being filled with his love. It is so strong and warm and peaceful. It is the best feeling I have ever had.

When he tells us he loves us he really does like no other love there is. It takes over you and it changes who you are and who you want to be. You do become a new creation. You are washed clean. He was the sacrifice for our sins and yet I feel so unworthy. Praise God.

Jesus had to give his blood for all sin once and for all. Life is in the blood so without the sheding of blood which signifies death there could be no forgiveness of sin. He was the lamb that was sacrificed for all of us. He paid the price for our sins and now we are forgiven.

Now that is worth being passionate about wouldn't you agree Amen.
 
Do you know what the message of the cross is? It is that we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. It is if you receive this gift you will not suffer the torments of hell. It is that he rose from the dead and conquered death. This world will be judged for it's sins because if sin was not judged then Christ's death on the cross would all have been for nothing and God would be a liar. But God is not a man that he should lie. His promises are true and he is a righteous judge.

Jesus dying on that cross was to pay the price for all sin once and for all. If we believe he is the son of God and rose from the dead then we are forgiven for our sins. We are all sinners and we could never be good enough to enter into heaven on our own. He is the sacrificial lamb slain for our sins. Nothing we can say or do would ever be enough to pay the price for sin and God hates sin.

The good news is Jesus Christ on that cross died and rose from the dead. He is the lamb praise God for a way out. If you have never received Christ as your savior search your heart and accept this gift of salvation while there is still time. All you have to do is ask him to come into your life and be your savior. He is right here waiting. Believe in your heart he is who he says he is (the son of God) and this day you will be with him forever.
 
John 18
1HAVING SAID these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron [in the ravine]. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered.
2And Judas, who was betraying Him and delivering Him up, also knew the place, because Jesus had often retired there with His disciples.

3So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards (attendants) of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?]

5They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I am He. Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them.

6When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.

7Then again He asked them, Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.

8Jesus answered, I told you that I am He. So, if you want Me [if it is only I for Whom you are looking], let these men go their way.

9Thus what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.(A)

10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?

12So the troops and their captain and the guards (attendants) of the Jews seized Jesus and bound Him,

13And they brought Him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.

14It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was expedient and for their welfare that one man should die for (instead of, in behalf of) the people.(B)

15Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and so he entered along with Jesus into the court of the palace of the high priest;

16But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter inside.

17Then the maid who was in charge at the door said to Peter, You are not also one of the disciples of this [a]Man, are you? He said, I am not!

18Now the servants and the guards (the attendants) had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.

19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.

20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly.

21Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said.

22But when He said this, one of the attendants who stood by struck Jesus, saying, Is that how You answer the high priest?

23Jesus replied, If I have said anything wrong [if I have spoken abusively, if there was evil in what I said] tell what was wrong with it. But if I spoke rightly and properly, why do you strike Me?

24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25But Simon Peter [still] was standing and was warming himself. They said to him, You are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not!

26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him?

27And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

28Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper].

29So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this [c]Man?

30They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you.

31Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.

32This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die.(C)

33So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews?

34Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?

35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people and nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?

36Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source].

37Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.

38Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him.

39But it is your custom that I release one [prisoner] for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews?

40Then they all shouted back again, Not Him [not this Man], but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.
 
John 19
1SO THEN Pilate took Jesus and scourged (flogged, whipped) Him.
2And the soldiers, having twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple cloak around Him.

3And they kept coming to Him and saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [Good health to you! Peace to you! Long life to you, King of the Jews!] And they struck Him with the palms of their hands.(A)

4Then Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I bring Him out to you, so that you may know that I find no fault (crime, cause for accusation) in Him.

5So Jesus came out wearing the thorny crown and purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, See, [here is] the [a]Man!

6When the chief priests and attendants (guards) saw Him, they cried out, Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no fault (crime) in Him.

7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to that law He should die, because He has claimed and made Himself out to be the Son of God.

8So, when Pilate heard this said, he was more alarmed and awestricken and afraid than before.

9He went into the judgment hall again and said to Jesus, Where are You from? [To what world do You belong?] But Jesus did not answer him.

10So Pilate said to Him, Will You not speak [even] to me? Do You not know that I have power (authority) to release You and I have power to crucify You?

11Jesus answered, You would not have any power or authority whatsoever against (over) Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the one who delivered Me over to you is greater.

12Upon this, Pilate wanted (sought, was anxious) to release Him, but the Jews kept shrieking, If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anybody who makes himself [out to be] a king sets himself up against Caesar [is a rebel against the emperor]!

13Hearing this, Pilate brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement [the Mosaic Pavement, the Stone Platform]--in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and it was about the sixth hour (about twelve o'clock noon). He said to the Jews, See, [here is] your King!

15But they shouted, Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar!

16Then he delivered Him over to them to be crucified.

17And they took Jesus and led [Him] away; so He went out, bearing His own cross, to the spot called The Place of the Skull--in Hebrew it is called Golgotha.

18There they crucified Him, and with Him two others--one on either side and Jesus between them.(B)

19And Pilate also wrote a title (an inscription on a placard) and put it on the cross. And the writing was: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.

20And many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, [and] in Greek.

21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am King of the Jews.

22Pilate replied, What I have written, I have written.

23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, one share for each soldier, and also the tunic (the long shirtlike undergarment). But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.

24So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots to decide whose it shall be. This was to fulfill the Scripture, They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. So the soldiers did these things.(C)

25But by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26So Jesus, seeing His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, [Dear] woman, See, [here is] your son!

27Then He said to the disciple, See, [here is] your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own [keeping, own home].

28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished (ended), said in fulfillment of the Scripture, I thirst.(D)

29A vessel (jar) full of sour wine (vinegar) was placed there, so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a stalk, reed of] hyssop, and held it to [His] mouth.

30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

31Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath--for that Sabbath was a very solemn and important one--the Jews requested Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away.

32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other who had been crucified with Him.

33But when they came to Jesus and they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came (flowed) out.

35And he who saw it (the eyewitness) gives this evidence, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe also.

36For these things took place, that the Scripture might be fulfilled (verified, carried out), Not one of His bones shall be broken;(E)

37And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced.(F)

38And after this, Joseph of Arimathea--a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews--asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate granted him permission. So he came and took away His body.

39And Nicodemus also, who first had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred pounds.

40So they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices (aromatics), as is the Jews' customary way to prepare for burial.

41Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever [yet] been laid.

42So there, because of the Jewish day of Preparation [and] since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus.
 
John 20
1NOW ON the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from (lifted out of the groove across the entrance of) the tomb.
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus [tenderly] loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!

3Upon this, Peter and the other disciple came out and they went toward the tomb.

4And they came running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first.

5And stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not enter.

6Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there;

7But the burial napkin (kerchief) which had been around Jesus' head, was not lying with the other linen cloths, but was [still] [a]rolled up (wrapped round and round) in a place by itself.

8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went in too; and he saw and was convinced and believed.

9For as yet they did not know (understand) the statement of Scripture that He must rise again from the dead.(A)

10Then the disciples went back again to their homes (lodging places).

11But Mary remained standing outside the tomb sobbing. As she wept, she stooped down [and looked] into the tomb.

12And she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13And they said to her, Woman, why are you sobbing? She told them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.

14On saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there], but she did not know (recognize) that it was Jesus.

15Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you crying [so]? For Whom are you looking? Supposing that it was the gardener, she replied, Sir, if you carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him and I will take Him away.

16Jesus said to her, Mary! Turning around she said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni!--which means Teacher or Master.

17Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me [do not hold Me], for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brethren and tell them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.

18Away came Mary Magdalene, bringing the disciples news (word) that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.

19Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!

20So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture).

21Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.

22And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!

23[Now having received the Holy Spirit, and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.

24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

25So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it].

26Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you!

27Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!

28Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!

29Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and [c]to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.

30There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book.

31But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [[d]through Who He is].(B)
 
John 21
1AFTER THIS, Jesus let Himself be seen and revealed [Himself] again to the disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias. And He did it in this way:
2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, also the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.

3Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing.

4Morning was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5So Jesus said to them, [a]Boys (children), you do not have any meat (fish), do you? [Have you caught anything to eat along with your bread?] They answered Him, No!

6And He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find [some]. So they cast the net, and now they were not able to haul it in for such a big catch (mass, quantity) of fish [was in it].

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord! Simon Peter, hearing him say that it was the Lord, put (girded) on his upper garment (his fisherman's coat, his outer tunic)--for he was stripped [for work]--and sprang into the sea.

8And the other disciples came in the small boat, for they were not far from shore, only some hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

9When they got out on land (the beach), they saw a fire of coals there and fish lying on it [cooking], and bread.

10Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.

11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them; and [though] there were so many of them, the net was not torn.

12Jesus said to them, Come [and] have breakfast. But none of the disciples ventured or dared to ask Him, Who are You? because they [well] knew that it was the Lord.

13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so also [with] the fish.

14This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself (appeared, was manifest) to the disciples after He had risen from the dead.

15When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

16Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

17He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

18I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.

19He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!

20But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following--the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?

21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?

22Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!

23So word went out among the brethren that this disciple was not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to you?

24It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true.

25And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.
 
This is EASTER I will be gone for a few days so everyone have a blessed Easter.

I write these posts with all my love to you and from my heart and soul. Thank you Ken and Dianne for allowing me to share Christ.

HE IS RISEN
 
I pray everyone had a blessed Easter. What a time to know the Lord. So many things are taking place in our world today and I think we need to be ready for his soon return. The Bible says we are to always be ready and waiting for his return so that we won't miss it.

It could be today or ten years from now but he is coming back to rule and reign. Come Lord Jesus come.
 
I often imagine what it will be like in heaven. I know it will be everything I can imagine and everything I can't. I see myself walking with Jesus by a beautiful stream with every flower I can think of and they smell unbelievable. The sky is so blue and the birds are singing and I have complete joy and peace.

You know what's so great about my imagining? I can experience the same thing here on earth. I think we have a small piece of heaven here on earth. I think God planned it that way. If we are created in his image then all things should be an image of who he is and what he creates. I stand in awe of him and look forward to the day to stand before him and just be with the King.

Magnify his name. He is so worthy.
 
thank you Cindy for such beautiful prayers. I really apreciate the time you take to do this.

You are so welcome and I am glad the prayers are appreciated.

For anyone out there who has not accepted Christ as their personal savior I would like to tell you my story. I was not living a life that I was proud of. I had been in the Catholic church as a child but never gone to church. Maybe once in 10 years or so. I grew up and made several bad choices(like so many of us do) but I knew God was in my life I just never gave him to much time accept when I needed something from him. I guess you could call me a lukewarm Christian. More close to a cold one. I have sinned a lot in my lifetime but God knew I was his child. He never turned his back on me but I had turned away from him.

About 12 years ago I heard the Lord say in a very Strong spiritual voice either choose this or choose me. I was drinking a lot at that time. I wouldn't consider myself an alcoholic but I was probably headed that way. I quit right then and there and have never gone back to that means of escape. Because really anything other than God that we use to get away from our struggles with life is an escape.

I got on my knees and truly gave my heart and soul to him. I went through what I call a cleansing process. I confessed every past sin I could think of and I must have cried for hours. I was completely sorry and ashamed of all that I had done with my life and I knew I was being cleansed by the blood of the lamb. I was washed whiter than snow. My sins will never be remembered by God they are forgoten. At that moment I fell madly in love with Jesus and have stayed that way ever since. I could not get enough of his word or of being in prayer. I still hunger for all that he has to offer me.

I know this has been long but I wanted to say all of this to show that God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believed in him would have eternal life. If you have not believed yet please open your eyes and your heart and believe. You will never regret that choice.
 
Give. That is the greatest thing any of us could do for one another. Give of yourself and give what you can to those in need. Christ gave all so that we could receive eternity. Give in your relationships so that in return they will start giving back to you.

I am not just talking about material things but about not being selfish and not always thinking about what we need. If we become givers and not takers then we can understand what it means to be the servant and to be obedient.

Lord help me to always be giving and to put the needs of others before myself. You gave all and for that we receive all. Glory to the most high God and praise and worship his name Amen.

Be blessed and be a blessing.
 
I just pray that the Lord will give me the encouragement I need to face the trials in my life. They are really small compared to trials others face but they are my trials and being human I sometimes tend to make them bigger than they are. I just pray that I can lay all my cares at his feet and give them over to him. Then I can walk away and not look back. Sometimes that's not so easy to do but I will. I give control over my life to you Lord and I trust you so I will not allow myself to worry.

Be blessed and be a blessingAmen
 
I'm really late today so all of you who take the time to read this post have a wonderful and blessed weekend. I feel honored to be able to share my faith with you all and I hope you choose to share yours now and again.

God bless.
 
Today I would like to start the book of Acts. I think many times it's teachings are left out because it talks about the Holy Spirit and the gifts it gives if you wish to have them. Also it takes off where John left off. Luke was the author of Acts.

Acts 1
1IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach(A)
2Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.

3To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.

4And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.(B)

5For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with ([a]placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.

6So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?

7He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

9And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.

10And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,

11Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.

12Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.

13And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [[d]indefinitely] staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [son] of James.

14All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15Now on one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.

16Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

17For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion in this ministry.

18Now this man obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.

19And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect--Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.

20For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership.(C)

21So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us--one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.

23And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts ([e]their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen

25To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place.

26And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
 
Jesus had told the disciples to wait there because the Holy Spirit would come and teach them. In the next chapter we learn how that happened. I believe there are signs and wonders from God and the Holy Spirit gives us gifts. I know I want all that God has to offer me and the gifts of the Spirit are a part of that.

Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened. I am always asking, seeking and knocking.

Be blessed and be a blessing.
 
Acts 2
1AND WHEN the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,
2When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

3And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.

4And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit [a]kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].

5Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country under heaven.

6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, because each one heard them [the apostles] speaking in his own [particular] dialect.

7And they were beside themselves with amazement, saying, Are not all these who are talking Galileans?

8Then how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own (particular) dialect to which we were born?

9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and [the province of] Asia,

10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the transient residents from Rome, both Jews and the proselytes [to Judaism from other religions],

11Cretans and Arabians too--we all hear them speaking in our own native tongues [and telling of] the mighty works of God!

12And all were beside themselves with amazement and were puzzled and bewildered, saying one to another, What can this mean?

13But others made a joke of it and derisively said, They are simply drunk and full of sweet [intoxicating] wine.

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: You Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be [explained] to you so that you will know and understand; listen closely to what I have to say.

15For these men are not drunk, as you imagine, for it is [only] the third hour (about 9:00 a.m.) of the day;

16But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions ([c]divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [[d]divinely suggested] dreams.

18Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [[e]telling forth the divine counsels and [f]predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom].

19And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and smoking vapor;

20The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the obvious day of the Lord comes--that great and notable and conspicuous and renowned [day].

21And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [[g]invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord--Christ] shall be saved.(A)

22You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him
in your midst, as you yourselves know--

23This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men.

24[But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it.

25For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state].

26Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection].

27For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death].

28You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.(B)

29Brethren, it is permitted me to tell you confidently and with freedom concerning the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

30Being however a prophet, and knowing that God had sealed to him with an oath that He would set one of his descendants on his throne, [II Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11.]

31He, foreseeing this, spoke [by foreknowledge] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah) that He was not deserted [in death] and left in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor did His body know decay or see destruction.(C)

32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all we [His disciples] are witnesses.

33Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father [h]the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.

34For David did not ascend into the heavens; yet he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand and share My throne

35Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.(D)

36Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah)--this Jesus Whom you crucified.

37Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do?

38And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.(E)

40And [Peter] solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.

41Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.

43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).

44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;

45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.

46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,

47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].
 
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