23 of 40 Lenten Journey
Today's readings: Acts 4 and pages 59-60
in Terry Teykl's book: Acts 29
larryjameson.blogspot.com
Dear Prospect, Trinity,
and Asbury Church family,
Good morning dear ones!
I missed seeing you yesterday
on the second Sunday our churches
were closed to worship.
When this crisis began,
we thought it would be over
quickly, perhaps in just two weeks.
That was not realistic was it?
The truth is that we have not yet
seen the peak of this virus.
We might have several more weeks
to go. In the mean time, we need
to do what we can to support and
encourage one another.
In all sincerity, I want to
appeal to every family in our
churches: PLEASE get an
internet connected device
(desktop, laptop, tablet,
or smart phone)
and put Zoom on that device.
Come meet with me
for a Online Bible Study
at 10am Sunday, March 29, 2020
at the following
Zoom Meeting ID 302-000-9952.
And what if you cannot
obtain an internet connected
device before Sunday, March 29?
Well then, don't give up!
When Sunday arrives,
pick up the phone and call one
of the numbers below, and
you can participate in our
Bible Study voice only.
Lawrence Jameson is inviting you
to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Zoom Bible Study
Time: Mar 29, 2020 10:00 AM
Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/3020009952
Meeting ID: 302 000 9952
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 302 000 9952
Find your local number:
https://zoom.us/u/ai6mIun9c
This is not going to be as good
as going to your church.
But it is going to be
a lot better than doing nothing.
For the last two Sunday mornings
we have done nothing.
That strategy is over.
Now dear ones, please pray for
our Online Bible Study.
Pray that God will empower us
to not only meet,
but to meet with excellence!
Pray that the lesson will be
encouraging, and that many
people will be inspired,
especially those who we don't
normally see at church.
Please pray for me that
I give good leadership to our
congregations, especially in
this time of crisis and
uncertainty.
Prayer by Larry Jameson
Dear Heavenly Father,
on this rainy Monday,
bless all the families with
children at home who cannot
go outside today.
Give them a keen and vivid
sense of your love and power
to meet their needs,
and the needs of their parents.
Since so many doors have closed
to us as a church,
open up a new door of
encouragement and joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ
we pray. Amen.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Acts 4 (NIV)
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The Believers Pray
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
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