Tuesday, March 24, 2020
24 of 40 Lenten Journey
Today's readings: Acts 4 and pages 61-62
in Terry Teykl's book: Acts 29
larryjameson.blogspot.com
Dear Prospect, Trinity,
and Asbury Church family,
Good morning Church!
I had an answer to prayer
yesterday because I was able
to send out a bulk mailing to
Prospect, Trinity, & Asbury.
It always makes me feel happy
to complete a bulk mailing,
and I am still rejoicing and
thanking God for that opportunity.
This time, instead of asking
for volunteers, Sue and I were
able to do this ourselves.
Nobody came to church.
Nobody was put at risk.
If you see your letter carrier
make sure you thank them for
their service! I thanked the
Postal workers in Dover where
the Bulk Mail goes. There was
one lady in front of me in line
that sent out a package. It was
a sweater for her sister.
The Postal worker said,
"I don't think that is worth
coming to the Post Office for.
You are supposed to leave the
house only for essential activities.
Sending a sweater to your sister
is not essential." But the sweater
was mailed. And the Postal worker
didn't say anything to me.
Perhaps sending out a bulk mail
to three churches is essential!
I hope so. I got nothing but
smiles and encouragement from
the folks behind the desk.
This morning I have a meeting with
Kyung Hee Sa and about ten pastors
on Zoom. We have been working
together on the Dover District
Strategic Leadership Team for
three years now. We recently had
free seminars on Hospitality,
Worship, and Discipleship.
We have a free workshop planned
for Saturday April 25 entitled
"Extravagant Generosity".
I wonder if that will be postponed?
It is a blessing to host these
events because they help make our
churches healthier and more vital.
Today is the last time we read
Acts chapter 4. Tomorrow we begin
to read Acts chapter 8.
Acts 4 has become a dear friend
that it has been fun to visit.
I especially like Acts 4:13.
"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."
Spending time with Jesus
will change you.
PRAYER IS SPENDING TIME
WITH JESUS.
Prayer makes you bolder,
and better able to trust
the Lord for what we need.
Prayer by Larry Jameson
Dear Lord Jesus,
bless all the families,
the friendships,
and the relationships
we are in. Help us to
"bear one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ."
In your name 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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