Rest Day Yesterday in Costco I saw a blind man walking across the parking lot with help. And instantly I thought of Christ healing the blind and what a fantastic miracle that really is… and prayed someday I could do the same. And I wondered when? When will Christ heal again? Today I came upon this quote from the Christmas Carol: “As good as gold,” said Bob, “and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped people saw him in the church, because…

Read 1 Timothy 1-6 There is so much good information and instruction, which only came because Paul was taking a precaution about a delay, “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Conduct is important. But it’s NOT our source of confidence and if it is we have departed from proper faith. There are two opposing sides to the right path, both are error, and the true path is faith in Jesus.The first is…

Read Ephesians 1-4 Jesus has given us gifts. Gifts of mercy and grace for sure but also gifts that are people. Don’t miss the gifts Christ has sent you. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬ You might ask yourself if any one of these descriptions fits someone who has made an eternal investment in your life?

Read Philemon 1, Colossians 1-4 Repair and reconcile relationships, ya know, imitate Paul as he imitates Christ. Hint, hint I’m going there. (I Cor 11:1-2) Forgiveness is hard and humbling work. I am putting my hand to it as well. So challenging! These two epistles show a wonderful, behind the scenes story. Philemon and Onesimus are not ‘all good in the hood.’ Paul’s world isn’t either as Philemon and Colossians are called, Prison literature. Paul is working towards a restorative effort where breaches are valid. Philemon is written in AD 57–62 by Paul while, yup you guessed it, in PRISON.…

Read Philippians 1-4 How is your willpower? Yeah mine too, great starts and stops. 🫣 There are those who want and do not do. There’s those who DO and want to DO, hint, he has a name 😁😬 that’s Jesus Christ. And there are those who do not want to do, and do not do — at all. Where are ya? Philippians 2:13 in the King James says, for it is God which work it in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Since we’re in Advent, I thought maybe we would compare this to Mary,…

Read Acts 27-28 The centurion Julius is mentioned by name, often they were not but he is, hmmmm perhaps it denotes a relationship between Luke, Aristarchus, Paul, and Julius. keep in mind both Luke and acts are written to Theophilus. His name is translated friend of God. Both Julia’s and the Islanders of Malta show unusual kindness, and it goes well for them to be kind to Paul. Acts 28:2 Acts 1:1-2, Luke 1:3-4, both identify Theophilus as the recipient of these two letters, for the purpose of realizing the certainty of the teachings you have received. Don’t doubt it.…

Rest day Hebrews 4:10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Read Acts 24-26 Paul will stand before military, 470 Roman soldiers escorting him by night, governors and kings, and finally the emperor of Rome. His story won’t change at all, his methods won’t change at all. Jesus is not a dead man, but an immortal KING, who has commissioned Paul as his messenger. King Agrippa II, in this story is in the line of kings from the Jewish King Herod the Great, (who killed all the babies in Bethlehem), the Defeater of the Parthians, the restorer of the Temple who died roughly when Jesus was 4 years old. Following this…

Read Acts 20:4-38, Acts 21-22, 23:1-35 Jesus is building his church⛪️ (Matthew 16:18). Don’t forget JESUS is the vine, and the church his called out, born again people are the branches. He is the root and the source. The Ekklesia are in many cities, founded and stalwart in the communities everywhere Paul went as a missionary. Paul in Miletus has a meeting with leaders from Ephesus in AD 57. The church is a mighty bulwark of defense from the weariness of the world and the deception of the wolves. It won’t be until AD 62 Paul composes his letter to…

Read Romans 13-16 Christ accepts us. He is perfect and holy. Acceptance is available to all in Christ: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Accept and honor. Prefer one another. Romans 12:10 It is right to hope in Jesus. He will fill each of us, with joy and peace. You can count on Christians to overflow with hope. Andronicus’s wife, Junia is imprisoned for the gospel along with her husband and with Paul her kinsman. She is debated in Christianity because of the word ‘apostle’ which Paul uses…