Tuesday, June 23, 2015

An Angel set Peter free (Acts 12 )

We found this hanging plant holder at a local Nursery.
Perfect for our small courtyard!
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.


I'm back!  We've been having a lot of fun planting flowers and figuring out how to clean out the kitchen cupboards.  It's amazing how much stuff you can put away after 22 years together.  Oy!  I think my mind gets full of stuff I need to throw out too, like: past hurts, mistakes, embarassing moments. With Jesus, everyday is a new beginning when I confess my sin.  I've been saving money for quite awhile and was able to get some new graphic art tools for my Mac.  Now I just need to figure out how they work : )  I'm also working on setting up a new web site for my photos and artwork.  I'll post the link when I get it up and running.

If you've been watching the show AD on TV, this would've taken place after the end of the series. King Herod the (not so) great, was king in Jerusalem.  He was made king by the Romans.  I was totally amazed by how they showed the High Priest in Jerusalem praying with the Christian disciples.  They showed the Holy Spirit as a whisp of fire in the air joining both religions as one. 

Acts Chapter 12

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

The feast of Unleavened Bread was one of the feasts around Passover.  Jesus is the final Passover lamb.  I was on a Jewish Facebook page and read how some people believe the Jews crucified Jesus.  That's not true.  Jerusalem was a mess.  Romans crucified many people to try and gain control.  There were Jewish sects in Jerusalem, Pharisees and Sadducees.  The disciples and Jesus were Jewish.  It wasn't any one person who crucified Jesus it was all of us.  It was our sin from the Garden of Eden to 2015.  Out of amazing love, Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified for us.  That's more love than I can understand.  The Jews are still God's chosen people.  Jesus could've brought a legion of angels to set Himself free from the cross.  He chose to be our passover lamb instead.  Amazing love!  He died for Jews too.

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
During this time the Christians were multiplying and this upset the more traditional Jews.  They knew Messiah would come but this wasn't what they expected.  Some became comfortable in their present standing and didn't want change.  

12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.
This is just plain cute.  So an angel rescued Peter from prison and possibly execution.  Peter was all excited and couldn't wait to get to Mary's house to hide.  So he knocks and instead of letting him in Rhoda gets all excited and starts talking.  That sounds very familiar actually... hmmm

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.
And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
Ok so Herod decided he'd just kill all the guards.  Nice guy huh?  They were proven guilty with no trial.

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
That sounds terrible, "eaten by worms" EWWW!

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.
(Acts 12:1-25 NKJV)

In the USA we've had a terrible tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina.  A young man decided he would kill people in a Church and then himself.  The suicide failed, and he's in jail now.  To me, it seems demonic.  Self-destruction and the destruction of others, isn't normal.  There's no glory in killing innocents.  Then to make matters worse, News media are trying to get more attention by claiming it's a racist issue.  I don't know any racist people.  Never met one.  I'm sure there are some, but it seems to me the more News Casters who claim racism only fuels a fire that shouldn't exist.  Then someone brought up White Supremacy.  I didn't realize there are so many Albinos in the USA.  They are the only "white" people I know of.  This isn't about skin color.  It's about young men who kill people, they are showing up in all colors and sizes. It seems the devil is prowling seeking to destroy before Jesus comes again.  It's definitely evil.  These verses came to mind:

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen
(1 Peter 5:8-11 NKJV)
Here's my prayer-
Dear Heavenly Father,
I lift up those in Charleston, SC to You.  It must be so frightening to know young men would just go on a shooting spree toward innocent people.  I pray You will comfort those who mourn.  Please bring conviction to those who would use this tragedy for money on News shows.  It only inspires other young men to destroy lives.  I pray for peace in Jerusalem.  Bring peace to America.  Help us to come back to being good, noble people.  Help our president.  Grant us lots of wisdom as we elect the next President.


Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)


In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Here's a song from "for King and Country," Shoulders (link)"


Friday, June 5, 2015

Peter had some explaining to do... (Acts 11, Matt 5:17-20)

"So glad God is in control, and not me!"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.
I've been working on our garden this week.  So sorry I've been away.  I'm still having fun and learning as I work on this blog.    My garden is looking good, I think I'm getting better each year.  I thought it might be a nice little side job to do some gardening for others.  My friend loved the idea.  She doesn't like to garden at all.  My husband has been working hard and we plan to finish things up tomorrow.  We're back to Acts 11 today.

Acts 11

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
The original Jewish law forbid eating food that wasn't blessed by a Rabbi.  And before Jesus made the sacrifice on the cross, Gentiles were completely excluded.  Through Jesus we were all included in God's amazing plan.  Even the Jews weren't perfect.  Personally I'm really grateful.  And glad I'm not the only one who messes up.


4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:  5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered,  I saw four- footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘ Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’
This was a recollection of Peter's vision.  God never intended to remove the law, but to fulfill it.

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV)


9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 
What this says to me, is that God has cleansed the Gentiles.  We are no longer cast out of God's kingdom.  We are all part of His kingdom now.  This is really important to those of us who weren't born Jewish.  We all have an opportunity to join Jesus and enjoy His reign. The only time there will be complete peace on earth is when Jesus' reigns on earth.  

11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved. ’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

God's Holy Spirit gives us courage, words to say, comfort, understanding, the ability to heal through prayer.  The ability to escort new believers to our Lord Jesus.  I'm reading the verses above and remembered the words of Jesus.  They never really made sense to me until I could see it in these verses.  Here's what Jesus said:

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
(Matthew 16:17-19 NKJV)
If you read Jesus' words and skip the book of Acts it sounds insane.  Peter was a rough and tumble fisherman.  He had no tact or ability to speak eloquently.  He probably knew a lot of cuss words and yelled trying to get the fishing crew on top of things.  The disciples are people like us.  They worried, lost their tempers, couldn't understand some of what Jesus said.  They probably even drove their wives crazy at times and the opposite.  But when all the thoughts, visions and everything finally made sense to everyone, here's what happened:
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

And that's why I totally love God's Word, it's so honest and believable!

If you remember when Stephen was killed by the Jewish leaders, the Church became afraid and wasn't aggressive for awhile.
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.


Barnabas is a dear sweet man.  He shows up with the apostle Paul, and others. I would imagine him to be like a wonderful person who always seeks to see the best in things and never dwells on the bad.  Someone who would say, "Yup we have a flat tire. Time to get some exercise and walk."
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Not sure if you remember but Peter sent Paul back to Tarsus because all the Churches were upset with him.  It was Barnabas who believed in Paul and went to get him.
 
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
And here's the first Christian relief effort to Judea, described in the New Testament of the Bible.

(Acts 11:1-30 NKJV)


Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You and praise You for Israel and the shining light they are.  I pray for Your hand to shelter them from danger and storms.  I pray You will help the USA remember who we are, a melting pot of all nations with one dream, freedom and independance.  Bless our country with Your presence Father.  I pray You will grant wisdom to our world leaders.  So much going on.  Protect those in harms way.

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)


In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Here's a song from Kerrie Roberts, "No Matter What" (link)