Daily Quiet Times (Acts 17:1-15, Matthew 10:14, Psalms 18:28)

"When I am afraid, I read my Bible and pray, the Lord restores my joy"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Acts 17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
So it sounds really good doesn't it?  They accepted Jesus as their Savior.  But, by now we all know there's always a catch...  Something that brings a challenge to us so our faith will grow.

5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
It seems like a good idea.  The leaders could either fan the flames of hostility in the crowd by attacking, or... simply let them go.  There wasn't a strong enough reason to hold them captive.  Out of sight out of mind.  Simple really.

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair- minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
This is why it's good to study the Bible everyday.  So we can tell the difference between truth and a lie.  I usually read a paragraph or a Psalm in the morning.  Everyone is different though.  My husband is a night person, so it's best for him to study at night.  I worked so many years in Corporate Businesses, I still don't wake up after 6:00 AM.  So mornings are a good time for me.  I believe marking up your Bible  is an awesome way to learn and find the faith, hope and love of Jesus.  I bought an old traditional Hymnal and like to sing to the Lord.  As you've noticed I also love contemporary Christian music too.  

12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
(Matthew 10:14 NKJV)

There's a good reason that Jesus told the disciples this.  If we treat people who are not Christian in a mean spirited, or forceful way, we may actually keep them from believing.  If we are loving and respectful, a person can have time to think about it and change their mind.  When I was a little girl, some of the neighbors took me to their Church.  The experience was so great, I never forgot.  And accepted Jesus as my Savior much later (age 16) lol.

(Acts 17:1-15 NKJV)

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for providing our needs.  Just whispering Your name, "Jesus" brings peace.  You are never too busy for us, although sometimes I'm too busy for You.  Your love never ends.  I pray for the nations, that You will protect and save those who are in harms way.  Bless us all to be a light in the darkness.  Heal and restore those who are brokenhearted and lost.  Provide food, and water and set the captives free.  

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 new song from the Newsboys : )  Guilty (link)

An Annoying Girl (Acts 16:16-40, Psalm 143:8)

Ocean Grove Cathedral

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

We got to go to the Tenth Avenue North concert in Ocean Grove.  It was really good.  The main musician told us how God doesn't live in Cathedrals (like the one in Ocean Grove).  He lives in the hearts of those who love Him.  Sidewalk Prophets were also there.  It was a really great time.  The Ocean Grove "Good Old Auditorium" is amazing with an organ that stretches all around the inside.

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune- telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
Well, she was just trying to help...  sometimes "helping" isn't a good thing.  You can ask my husband.  The interesting thing is that the spirit must have been taunting the Apostles.  An evil spirit would definitely not be on the side of the Most High God.  Then there's the girl who was possessed.  She wasn't able to control herself.  That would be pretty scary for sure.  What a terrible thing to wake up to, the way people must've looked at her and treated her, like an outcast.  I can hear the whisper's of Mom's telling the kids to stay away from her.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Finally Paul couldn't take it anymore so he cast out the evil spirit.  I would think her masters would be happy, but nope they wanted her for their money.  Paul's face must've turned red and his cheeks puffed out when he finally got rid of the spirit.  Then there's the masters.  All they could think of was money and not the poor girl's health.  She may have been embarrassed to realize what she had done all this time.  I wish I could say we are much better about using people today.  But it's not true.  There's still human trafficking.  Young kids being sold as prostitutes for someone's income.  I should pray more for these kids.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 
So the girl's owners went to the leaders and complained.  You notice they didn't say that they were using a possessed girl to earn money...  Just that they didn't like Paul and Silas' teaching.  Soooo... the whole city rose up in anger.  Don't you just hate when that happens?  It's amazing how these men who were using a girl suddenly became really really good Romans...  Yup.

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Ok so we have another robe ripping event.  That sounds like a really bad day for Paul and Silas...  It just seems like when we stay in our safe places where everyone agrees with us, it becomes easy to get stupid doesn't it?  The leaders actually trusted these thieves.

So what did Paul and Silas do? Hide in a corner and eat rats?  Nope! They started singing hymns.  I love to sing Christian music.

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 

It reminded me of this verse:

8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
(Psalms 143:8 NKJV)

And then...
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. 
Our God is awesome at unlocking doors.  Even in real life.  There was a man that sat on the other side of my cubicle at work.  One day he told us he had cancer.  The Lord prompted me to ask if I could pray for him.  He wasn't real pleased but then said, "Whatever, it might help."  When he came back to work, he thanked me for praying for him.  His cancer was gone.  It wasn't my mastery of prayer.  It was God's, "Yes."

So the prison guard was a bit worried when he woke up and the prison doors were open.  All their chains  were released and he had no way of explaining it.  
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 
Romans were not kind to people who didn't follow their rules.

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
So the prison guard started job hunting?  Nope!  He wanted the kind of faith Paul and Silas had so he asked how to be saved.

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.


35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
Ok to be quite honest I would've run out, but Paul had a right.  Paul was Roman and Jewish.

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
So they went back to Lydia's house.  Wish I could hear what they all said.  And to think this all started by an annoying girl.  God can fix anything or anyone.

Heavenly Father,
As I read the story of Paul and Silas, I am reminded of Pastor Saeed, in a prison, in Iran.  Father, You are so awesome at turning terrible situations around.  I pray You will step in on his behalf and allow him to be free.  Please send the angels to help him out and tend to his needs.  I pray for those caught in human trafficking.  Please remove their chains and set them free as well.  

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 Sidewalk Prophets, The Words I would say (link)

(Acts 16:1-40 NKJV)

Reaching up, Reaching out, Reaching in ( Acts 16:1-15, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

This week we watched a Christian movie, "Behind the Mask."  This one is set in the Revolutionary War period, Benjamin Franklin is in it.  It has romance (clean) and good vs. evil choices. It's another good one.  It turns out, right now in America, Christian movies (faith based) are the most popular.  I never thought I'd see the day.  Our country is experiencing a faith lift : )

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

Things are looking right for a miracle, all over the world.

Acts Chapter 16:1-15

Timothy joins Paul and Silas
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Timothy 1:1-2 NKJV)

Paul loved Timothy and called him his son in the faith.   It's nice to see that Paul took time to encourage him.  Paul wrote 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy to him in his travels.  In these books he gave Timothy some wise advice on being a Pastor or Missionary.

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
I know I'm on the wrong track when I listen to what I think is best and don't pray for the Holy Spirit to give me words to say.  The Holy Spirit has helped me stop arguing with my husband and also say the right things in other awkward situations at work.  He makes me sound so good!  One of my Pastors called it, "Intense Fellowship."  (hahaha) I believe we receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  There are lots of other opinions out there.  In my experience, He's usually most helpful when I ask Him to.

I really like Lydia, she was artistic like me, and sold purple linens.  That would make her a crafter with linen and dye.  She also opened her home to the apostles.  I always smile when I see her name in the Bible.

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gifts and talents You've given us.  I believe You love to see us doing crafts, exercising, helping others, and using our time wisely.  We are faced with so many temptations.  I pray You will bring peace to those in the middle east who are struggling to survive.  Please be with leaders in Europe, guide them with wisdom with so many refugees.  I pray You will pour out Your love in Israel.  Joseph wrestled with You to become Israel a nation.

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 Tenth Avenue North, Where the healing begins (link)

We are looking forward to going to a concert with them next Saturday : ) in Ocean Grove, NJ.

Encourage and Strengthen each other (Acts 15 part 2, 1 Kings 19:11-12)

"God seeks to forgive and restore us"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

We got to see the new Christian movie, "War Room."  It's really good.  It's about being prayer warriors for our families and neighbors.  It reminded me of the story of Elijah and God's still small voice.  This DVD will be coming soon on Christianbook.com.

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
(1 Kings 19:11-12 NKJV)

We also saw, "The Drop Box."  This  is a movie about a Pastor who took in unwanted babies.  People would wrap up babies and put them in a box that opened into the Pastor's home.  He saved many children.   Life is never perfect and neither are we.  But waiting to find love and marriage is a good idea.  

Back to the Book of Acts...

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them:
to abstain from: 

• food polluted by idols
  we need to avoid food someone else has worshipped... (God is a jealous God).
• from sexual immorality
  it's important to keep our marriages and wait for a good spouse. 
• from the meat of strangled animals
  sorry no more road kill for us... 
• and from blood
  This is a very practical law.  Blood carries all sorts of diseases, so God definitely wanted His people to be safe with what they ate.  It's been in recent years that Aids, Hepatitis, Sepsis, and Mersa have been treatable.  The flip side is that Jesus' blood set us free to be His followers, our Shepherd loves His sheep.  Sometimes I read the Bible and just get amazed at how useful and relevant the it is.

21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 

23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.

28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Ok I might be a geek...  but it would be so cool to listen to what Judas and Silas said in our time period, at Church.  I like how God inspired verse 32- "Judas and Silas were prophets and encouraged and strengthened believers."  We could always use more encouragement right?  It's actually one of my spiritual gifts.  The meaning of my name, "Karen," is "Grace."  No one on earth could be more clumsy than me... So it must've been wishful thinking on someone's part...  


36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
This is a very real human disagreement.  It's encouraging to realize that Paul and Barnabas had disagreements and worked it out.  I like the human side in the Bible because I can relate to it.  Paul was in the zone of preaching and teaching.  And Barnabas wanted to help disciple John Mark.  Barnabas is always the encourager.  Peter and Paul were both drivers hoping to change the world for Jesus.  I can see several of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in this passage.

(Acts 15:1-41 NIV)

Here's a song from Josh Wilson, That was then, this is now (link) 

A heavy yoke (Acts 15:1-18, Ephesians 6:12, Proverbs 3:24, 1Timothy 5:18, Matt 11:28-30)

"He gives us rest for our souls"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

My husband and I celebrated our 23rd Anniversary last week.  He spoiled me with flowers : )  They are still beautiful.  We've had some great days, good days, and really bad days.  I think these Bible verses are good for us all.  Real life is full of challenges.  I'm also looking forward to seeing the movie, "War Room."  It's about being prayer warriors.  

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages."
(1 Timothy 5:18 NKJV)

A yoke was a curved wooden collar that would be placed over the neck of oxen while they treaded grain.  If the oxen was muzzled it couldn't eat anything and the work was hard with no reward.  Jesus said, 

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

To me this is saying that when I feel stressed and like things are too hard, I need to stop and remember Jesus and allow Him to refresh my soul.  Sometimes I just focus on Jesus' name and find peace.  Also memorizing Bible verses helps me.

1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
So everything seems like it's going well.  Then the question of circumcision came up.  I can understand how the Pharisees would believe Christianity and Judaism can't be different.  There is only one God and if He wanted them to be circumcised as babies, new believers should go through it too.  But that's not what Jesus had in mind.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)

Most of what we deal with isn't people that disagree;  it's against evil and darkness.   Satan would like to destroy people to deceive and destroy.  There's a battle in Heaven.  Angels fight demons and protect believers.  Jesus is at the throne praying for us.  I still think that is totally cool!  Most powerful person in the universe praying for us.
  
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them:“Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
We are saved by Jesus' grace and our faith, not by performing rituals.  It's not about how many people we lead to Christ.  It's about how many people Jesus wants to come to Him.  He is the gift we share.  He is the Savior and we are the servants.  I believe that's how God wants us to approach others.

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return

and rebuild David’s fallen tent.

Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’ —
18 things known from long ago.
And now we wait for Jesus' return.  I've been reading what the Jews for Jesus are saying.  God will never forget Israel.  They are His chosen.  He will include us too.  They are trying to map out the date of Messiah's return : ) No one knows the time of His coming.  We all hope it will be soon.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for rest and peace when we stop trying so hard and just let You work.  You are so patient and wise.  I have so many thoughts in my mind, You see all and know all.  we know looking to You all is well.  I pray You will bring peace to those in the middle east who are struggling to survive.  I am so grateful for our country and I pray we will grow in righteousness and honor You.  Guide us with wisdom and expose the deeds of darkness as we elect our next president.  Father please help us all to pray hard, like a warrior.

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 Steven Curtis Chapman, "Warrior" (link)

Not exactly gods... (Acts 14, Isaiah 43:18-19, Romans 10:17)

"The Bible has all sorts of wisdom for us"
I took this photo in New York City

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Acts Chapter 14

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Iconium was in Asia, today it would be Turkey.  Interesting, because I've heard there were many Christian artifacts in Turkey : )

4 But the multitude of the city was divided:  part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
This would be a big nightmare for the Apostles.  Jesus is the final sacrifice.  So being called greek gods and offering to make sacrifices would be the wrong answer to their preaching.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit so if it's anything like what I've experienced they would've been able to say what the Lord wanted them to.

The closest I've ever come to this was when I was designing web sites.  I had to go upstairs and talk to one of the managers about the site.  As I walked through the cubicles the guys started bowing to the ground saying, "I'm not worthy."  Hahaha I told them not to bow down to me because I'm a Christian and we can't have that.  They told me they couldn't believe what I did on the web.  I then earned the title, "Web Chick."  I haven't had many nicknames so I thought it was great : )  

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
It sounds like the people were even more anxious to worship the apostles after they explained the truth.  Sometimes we all just don't get it... do we?  

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Paul must've still been alive. The Lord knew it wasn't his time to die.  Derbe was a city in the district of Lycaonia in the Roman province of Galatia in south central Asia Minor. 

18 “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."
(Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV)

I love these verses.  It describes what happened to Paul.  He could've given up but he kept going.  For me, it helps me stop thinking about the bad stuff in my past and focus on new things.  Even the hurts from last week can be forgiven when I dwell on God's point of view.  Wonder what new things will come up for us. Faith in Jesus is the start of a great adventure.   Each of us will be tasked with new things.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
I'm so glad they got some encouragement.  I've had many bad days and have always found encouragement from reading the Bible.  I have a wooden box of favorite Bible verses I've written down on index cards, so in case I need some hope I can pull them out and remember the truth.

Sharing Bible verses is a great way to help others understand how to be a Christian.  I used to walk with a good friend at lunch, when I was working.  I'd share a verse I'd just learned with her and she'd ask questions.  Then one day she called to tell me she became a Christian.  

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV)

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
(Acts 14:1-28 NKJV)
I can just imagine the stories, laughter and surprises.  Just think we'll be hanging out with the Apostles in Heaven one day.

Heavenly Father,
I thank and praise You for the gift of forgetting and forgiving.  It's hard for us to let go of past mistakes.  Thank You for the many adventures I've been able to experience. Help us to forgive ourselves and others as You have forgiven us.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit who gives us words to say, and helps us understand the Bible.  As we share our faith with others.

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 the Newsboys, Glorious (link)

Our High Priest (Acts 13:35-52, Psalms 42:1-2, Hebrews 7:25-28)

"Looking forward to spending time at God's throne"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Sorry I've been gone for awhile.  I missed doing my blog and studying the Bible online.   We did get to see a lot of family which is always good.  I left off in Acts 13.  Paul is teaching Jews and Gentiles about God.

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:
“‘You will not let your holy one see decay. ’
This is referring to Jesus.  Jesus didn't decay in the tomb as the Pharisees and Sadducees had hoped.  Instead He rose from the grave and walked among men.  

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.  37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
David was a great man of God.  When I read all he had been through, only God could've protected and helped him.  The first king was Saul.  God originally wanted Himself to be the king.  But, the people asked for a man.  They wanted a handsome man that they could be proud of.  Instead they got Saul...  He was handsome, but not all that concerned with God's will.  Verses 36-37 describe how only Jesus rose from the dead and his body didn't decay.

25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Hebrews 7:25-28 NIV

Once, when my husband was sick, I remembered that Jesus is praying at the throne of God for us, it's written in Revelation.  So I asked Jesus to heal my husband and He did : )  Sometimes He says, "Yes."  And sometimes He says, "Wait."  Jesus doesn't have to give sacrifices to please God, He is God.  One of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit all are one.  His death on the cross was once and for all.  The final sacrifice.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you. ’”

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
To understand the importance of this is to understand how old the Jewish nation is.  Israel was one of the first nations on earth.  So there would've been Jews who were caught up in performing ceremonies from their past.  One ceremony was to sacrifice a lamb pouring it's blood to save people from their sin.  Here Paul is telling them to accept Jesus' sacrifice and believe in His salvation.  The Holy Spirit must've been present to interpret all that was being said.  So how did they react?

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
They became angry that anyone would defile the scriptures.  Probably tore their robes.  They used to do that when they wanted to demonstrate how angry they were.  Can't you just hear the wives, "Oh honey I wish you'd quit tearing your robes, it's a lot of work to fix them."  We're way more civilized now, we honk our car horns...

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:  “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. ’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Yay!  The Gentiles accepted God's Word and Jesus as their Savior.

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God- fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 

So they gave up and quit...  No not Paul and Barnabas!
51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 13:13-52 NIV)

Heavenly Father,
I thank and praise You for never giving up on us.  You are so much more holy than I am. Because of Jesus sacrifice even I can approach Your throne one day.  Some of these Bible stories make me wonder why people didn't just give up.  But You always provided a way for them.  Guide us too Father, help us stay on the right path.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit who gives us words to say, and helps us understand the Bible.  Thank You for all the candidates that want to be our President in the USA.  I pray You will guide us with wisdom and truth as we select 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 Big Daddy Weave, The Only Name (link)