GOD’S CHOICE
Today’s Reading: Acts 22-23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The shoreline of Caesarea in Israel. Paul was taken to Caesarea to appear before Felix the Governor (Acts 23:33).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 23:11
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Paul, formerly a persecutor of believers in Jesus, now is persecuted for his faith in Jesus. God delights to turn enmity into friendship, hostility into love. Jesus changes everything for all who give Him their lives. It would appear that Paul’s nephew had come to faith in Christ, as evidenced by his warning of the plot to kill Paul, or it could’ve been family loyalty that God used to save Paul’s life. Either way, God was not finished with Paul yet. Our key verse is the final statement by Paul in his first appearance before the Rome-appointed Jewish leadership. The party of the Sadducees believed that God does not do the miraculous, as do some liberal Protestants or reformed Judaism today. The Pharisees believed, but as Jesus said in Mark 7:13, “Making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.” The result is the same for those who deny the daily activity of God in human lives, or for those who put the intervention of God into the past only. As Paul experienced the “be of good cheer” Words of Jesus, so we should expect Jesus to communicate with us. Are we listening carefully?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m one of Your sheep. Therefore, as You said, I will know Your voice. I’m listening, Lord Jesus. Thank You for that “still small voice” I’m hearing just now. You are telling me that You love me. I love You also! Amen! (John 10:4 & 1 Kings 19:12)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I am so very blessed by Norma-Jean, my wife, my children and their spouses, Elaine and Bruce, Ellen and Nizar, Reynold and Kathy, and Ron and Ann. I think the most often repeated words to each other are, “I love you.” I tell my 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren the same. I cannot begin to tell how these simple, yet most profound words warm my heart. I encourage you to read 1 John 4:7-21, if you have time. “Love” is the very essence of God’s Being. Just as I am telling my daughters and sons that I love them, and they tell me that they love me, so my Father God tells me, and I tell Him. It’s not trite. It never becomes stale. The great theologian Karl Barth was asked for his most profound thought ever. He answered, “Jesus loves me. This I know.”
Yours for love of God and for love of each other,
David
P.S. In a previous blog comment, one of our readers blessed me with a link to a wonderful music video. Here’s what was written, along with the link…
“My wife blessed me with this song written by Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche. I am sharing my blessing with you. When we stand on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ and let Him lead us, as Paul did, we can weather the storms and adversities in our path. Praise God!” (Click HERE for the song).
Thank You, Lord, for Paul, who testified for You even in the face of such hostility. Help all of us to let Your light shine in us and through us, so many will see and hear You for themselves. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob. Amen.
Sorry, Rob and Beverly!! I need to be careful when reading the postings
Amen, Amen
Amen!!
Yes, Amen Beverlee!
Thank You for Your Word this morning, Lord, and Paul’s example for us. We are ever grateful. Wishing all saints a blessed day. Stay safe for those of us, blanketed by rain and snow in Southern Ontario.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4iyJqrPvY
Amen
One of my favorite Christmas worship songs; thank you Beverlee Kay for posting it!
Spiced Maple Banana Bread
Ingredients:
non stick cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 ripe bananas
2 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup maple syrup
⅓ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease loaf pan with nonstick spray.
Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in bowl.
In separate bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth but some chunks remain. Add eggs, oil, maple syrup, sugar, and vanilla extract; mix with wooden spoon. Add flour mixture and walnuts; mixing just until flour is moistened.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake 55-60 minutes; rotate pan halfway through.
Test toothpick in center to come out clean.
https://www.allrecipes.com/search/results/?wt=Spiced%20Banana%20Bread
Amen Rob and Beverlee. God bless you and your day!
Update on Mike from Fargo/Jamestown
“Update:
Mike is still at Eventide Nursing Home in Jamestown. He is continuing to eat food orally and is much happier now. They removed the feeding tube this week! YAY! Huge progress. Oh and …. HE STILL LOVES HIS SWEETS!!!
He continues to have therapy each day and is responding well overall. They hope to get him walking this week. Another YAY!!! Mike has difficulty tolerating 3 hours of therapy which is what he needs to move to a more intense rehabilitation center. He still gets tired easily which is more than likely due to his brain injury and decreased strength. Mike can use his right arm to eat with a spoon and his left arm/hand is limited in mobility. Please pray for increased tolerance for therapy, increased strength, and continued healing of his brain. Thank you for these continued prayers and support.
Love and prayers to you all! The Mike’s Family
Praise God for Mike’s great progress!
Continuing to pray for his complete healing
in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Continued prayers for Mike from Fargo, to have less fatigue and more energy for maximum hours of rehab to move to the next facility. So happy the feeding tube was removed and you are now eating. Praise God to be with you, Mike–to strengthen you, bless you and keep you. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.
Beverlee: Agreeing with your prayer for Mike. It is so great that the feeding tube is out.
Eleanor M.
Thank you Lord for Mike’s progress! Please continue to strengthen him in body, mind and spirit. May Mike be a walking testimony of Your great power, love and goodness ! May many come to know you through is testimony.
Help him to be able to tolerate increased therapy so he can move to the next facility. Be with his family and give them strength and peace through this journey. Amen!
Amen
God heal Mike In Jesus Name Amen.
Agreeing with all prayers for Mike, Amen!
Yes agreeing in prayer for Mike in Jesus Name. Amen!