Peter's Bold Preaching

Now comes the important gospel message.

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

A powerful sermon begins with, listen to my words as he spoke with authority.

Jesus of Nazareth, even the devils knew that name;

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs;

Yes even his enemies knew he was from God;

Jhn 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
Jhn 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

They were concerned for their own positions, seeking job security, so from envy they killed Jesus. When Jesus becomes king on earth all nations will bow to him. God worked mighty works through him.

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Jesus speaks

Luk 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The testimony of the healed blind man

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Peter doesn't hold back, he speaks the truth with new Holy Ghost boldness.

Even though God sent him knowing that he was to die for sins, and Jesus also knowing this was his cup given him by his father, yet he obeyed;

Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Still, those who murdered Jesus must bear the responsibility for their actions.

"ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain (Jesus):"

Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Mat 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Peter was not out to tickle the ears of the people, or to make them laugh, he speaks the truth to them

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Quoting from Psalms 16, In the term "pains of death", the word pains is actually the word for "birth pains"; in this sense, the tomb was a womb for Jesus! The grave can no more hold the Redeemer than a pregnant woman can hold the child in her body.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Born of water, a natural birth from woman. Born of the Spirit, the resurrected Christ coming out of the cave tomb a new Spiritual creation.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For as he was raised by the Spirit of life, so shall we likewise be made alive.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The resurrection is the proof of our new life in Christ

1 Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1 Cor 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Peter continues to speak of the resurrection. Killing Jesus was not a victory for Satan, but his defeat!

Through believing in Jesus, His blood removes our sins and we shall be with Jesus forever.

Acts 1:1-3

 Infallible proofs

Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

The former account is the Gospel of Luke. At one time the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were joined together as one book with two "volumes."

The name Theophilus means "Lover of God", we are not sure who he was, but the title "most excellent" (Luke 1:3) is used for one of high offices.

Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Speaking of the things of the kingdom of God. He was giving them a vision of the future hope. Not much is recorded of his words at this time. He was concerned with them, because of their unbelief. They were cowering, being upset by the events of their time, Their leader had been crucified and they didn't remember that Jesus had said to them that he would die and be raised on the third day.. They were lacking in faith.

We can identify with their sorrows in a small way as we witness our country being terrorized on Sept 11, (This study was first shared in 2002.) Some people have withdrawn, some are depressed, some even had their hearts fail them. Do not remove your eyes from the hope that is in Jesus. He has risen. We shall be with him in the Kingdom.

Infallible proofs of his resurrection:

1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Cor 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1 Cor 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1 Cor 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

Doubting Thomas believes.

John 20:26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 

John 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 

John 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 

John 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

Breath of God

 Jesus had risen from the cave tomb having shed his blood for the sins of the world. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)  He appears in a closed room where his disciples were gathered in fear.

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath 

sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, 

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose 

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

This is what Jesus had meant by being born again of God’s Spirit.

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a 

man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We remember that at creation God breathed life into his creations giving life.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed 

into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When Adam and Eve sinned, their spirit was dead, no longer in fellowship with 

God, their creator. God our heavenly father sent his son, who had no sins to die in 

our place and to rise from death restored back into eternal life.

Jesus had earlier sent forth seventy witnesses two by two, with his authority. 

10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are 

subject unto us through thy name.

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and 

over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; 

but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

What did they say to the Jewish people? They had the prophets who told of future 

events. Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

Isa 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched 

them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that 

giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and 

will hold thine hand, 

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the 

people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and 

them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, 

neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: 

before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath 

given me life.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of 

them by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last 

Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; 

and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from 

heaven.

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the 

heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the 

image of the heavenly.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God 

unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it 

is written, The just shall live by faith.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are 

passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus 

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not 

imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of 

reconciliation. 

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech 

you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might 

be made the righteousness of God in him. 

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out to the believers in Jesus.  This was

the beginning of the Church age.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one 

accord in one place. 

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty 

wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat 

upon each of them. 

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other 

tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Jesus shall reign forever

 Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy that an everlasting king would come from David's lineage. His moher was from the lineage of David and his legal father Joseph, was also from he lineage of king David. His throne would be everlasting because His Father is God. Jesus is the everlasting God man who will have an everlasting kingdom with judgement and justice.

Psa 89:36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

2 Sam 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Psa 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. God came in a man; Jesus shall reign, forever with all who believe in him., amen.

Son of Man, Son of God

 Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Godhead - the state of being God.

Who is this Jesus?  If he truly is the son of God, the word of God would say so. The prophets would declare him.  The prophets have spoken. God has come in a human, born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, the city of David. He had no sins and he gave up his body to take the punishment of sins as our substitute Savior. Jesus as a human called himself the son of man. He also in spirit is the Son of God. God is a Spirit.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

By believing in Jesus we become the adopted sons of God.

The Bible speaks of God as being one God in the plural, Elohim.

The one God is God the Father, Jesus, the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  How can this be? We believe what the Bible says.  The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Jesus hundreds of years before his coming.  He gave the titles of God to Jesus.

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

A child is born of a virgin, a miracle birth.  A Son is given, the Son of God who takes away our sins and who gives us eternal life. When he returns to earth he will be the supreme King of Kings. His name shall be called wonderful, counselor; he loves us and leads us.  The Mighty God and the Everlasting Father are His shared names with His Father. Remember now that God is one God in the plural. I cannot explain how,  but I believe the true word of God. Nothing is impossible with God.   Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Through believing in him we have peace with God.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

HANDRAILS AND SAFETY NETS

 I climbed the two steps from the garage to enter the house and  neglected to grab the handrail, then suddenly I was falling backwards. A slow motion fall, a helpless feeling as my hips and back hit hard objects on the ground. I called for my daughter and she called a neighbor to help get me up. I have a lot of pain with purple black bruising from side to side, and it was my doing or undoing. I had neglected to grab the handrail.

Some  people depend on the government as a handrail to be responsible for them.  There are laws that act as safety nets, but we also need to be personally responsible for our safety and needs. In the news, our government is at war with the drug cartels.  Our military are gathered on the ocean  near Venezuela.  Boats with drugs are shot down and exploded.  Tons of drugs are found hidden in warehouses and in underground tunnels.  Hundreds of millions of  dollars are stacked in bundles.  There are many of these drug places in our land yet to be uncovered.  Why so many?  Because too many of our citizens are using drugs. Why are they not being responsible? A drug addict will steal to get money to buy their drugs. Actual demons come into them to destroy their family relationships and their ability to be faithful at work. By making drugs an idol they disobey the laws of man and God. By turning away from God they invite in evil powers.  God is our help.  We cannot fight the darkness in our own abilities, we need the grace of God. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Only God can overcome the spiritual darkness.  He sent his son Jesus, to be our way to overcome sin and death.  The laws are good, but we cannot keep them. They accuse us and the end is our death.  Choose Jesus who was without sin and was sent to be our savior from our sins and evil.  He is our way to forgiveness and restoration, both now and in life eternal with God. 

The government uses tax dollars to help people. These are referred to as handrails and safety nets. We hear in the news that billions of dollars used to support the needy were stolen. The devil is a thief. He comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus is come to give us life, more abundant life. (John 10:10)  

If you are a drug user, or if you know some who are users, I pray to God for your recovery. Almighty God, you created us to be in fellowship with you.  You are holy, so much greater than your creation. You spoke the universe into existence. You are a life giver and a loving God. LORD God through your son Jesus, touch hearts and bring people out of the darkness. You are the eternal light, giving mercy and justice. Help us to trust you, in Jesus name, Amen.

Susie's Testimony and letter

 A few weeks before his passing I visited my oldest brother  in the hospital.  In my hand I had an unopened letter for my brother from Susy.  He did not know Susy but I did . She came to me in an Internet Christian chat room at two in the morning.  I was aware of her  rebellion and bad behavior. I and many others had talked to her to come to God through Jesus for a new life. God was reaching her heart and she asked me to help her,  That night at two AM she gave her life to Jesus. This is her testimony, and then we will talk about her letter to my brother. My name is Mr B

I pray God shines in your life in 2006 as he most definitely shines in mine.
That's where my screen name came from susy shines. God has been so good to me, I fooled around a long time before I trusted the lord. I was an atheist 25 yrs married to a Christian all them years, raised 7 children in a Christian home and I never knew the Lord....fooled a lot of people but i didn't fool the Lord ....

The last few years have been total hell. I was a computer whore. I had cyber sex with any bisexual man that needed me talk dirty to him; also enjoyed being with cross dressers. My husband knew that I cyber with men ....you see I thought it was a game. My husband asked me to quit doing it so that meant now I had to hide it, which started all the lies. I cant believe I'm telling you all this but i want you to see how God has worked in my life.

December 25, 2004 is the day I started getting sick. By February I had pneumonia 3 times. The doctor found out my heart was growing with copd, sugar diabetes I was really sick. June I had my first heart attack. By then I was out of cyber sex. I started going into Christian chat rooms I told them all what I thought about being a Christian; I would never be one. I gotta booted all the time. After awhile, they booted me as soon as I came in, I didn't even have to talk. Everyday savedthrufaith would tell me something about jesus. Everyday I said I'll think about it; he said ok. He sent me every verse in the bible, I bet. Then Sunday Oct 23, 2005, this guy I was talking to in chat got suspended, so he IM'd me. He said if you want to talk in a chat room, I'll make a room. So he did and the stuff he was telling me broke my heart.

The next day was Monday, I cried all day. When my husband came home, I was still crying. He said God was working on me. October 25, 2005 2:03 am, Mr B led me to the lord.

My life now is soooo different, been saved now 9 weeks 6 days. I have read almost the whole Bible. I'm a prayer warrior, my prayer list is longer then my buddy list. That's how you pray without ceasing, get a big list it will take all day to pray. God has answered a lot of my prayers. I use to be afraid to pray but God took his hand and put words in Jeremiah's mouth and he has to me too. I pray they are not my words, I'm nothing, but with God nothing is impossible.

I even have thoughts now that I believe come from God. Oh, I forgot to tell you that last week I went for my ekg to measure my heart. The doctor said it looks like my heart stopped growing 2 months ago. He said meds are working. I been saved 9 weeks. How many months is that ???? You figure it out...I already did ...PRAISE GOD!

Well this was and is my life God loves you and so do I.  susy

For several years Susy grew in the Lord sharing Bible verses with pictures and she was an encourager. God would often use her to encourage others. When she heard about my oldest brother she sent me a letter to be given unopened to him.  I am sure it was God speaking encouragement to him.  Susy died in 2022.  I trust that they are now with Christ Jesus in heaven,  She did nothing to receive mercy and grace. Jesus has paid the price we repent and believe.

The seeing and the blind

Jesus came being the light of the world. Without light we are unable to see. His light brought spiritual understanding, opening spiritual eyes and giving sight to blind eyes.

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Joh 9:14  And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 

Joh 9:15  Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 

Joh 9:16  Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. 

Because so many refused to see with spiritual eyes, in Matthew 11 Jesus began speaking only in parables. We have a lot of churches that are parable speaking churches because the people do not care to see in the spirit. They want to hear pleasant words and words that appeal to their desires for wealth and power. Some just want to belong to a fellowship, like a friendly club and not interested in a deeper walk. They go to church liking the fellowship; but they choose to forget about going to Bible study and prayer.

The last two times that I opened a Bible reading chat room, the only ones who came were the mockers of God's word. There is no fruit in mockers and if left alone the subject would be anything but fruitful. Some come to destroy faith. It is impossible to do the will of Jesus Christ without faith and the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant through his blood requires that we follow him by faith and  he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. The difference between the first covenant of outward law keeping is that Jesus has kept the laws and forgiven our sins. From this higher ground we follow him by the voice of his Spirit. From our innermost being we hear and do his will, flowing out to others the works of Christ. If we sin, he convicts us of sin in our hearts. Whatever is not of faith to us, is sin. If we are convicted of sin we must confess it in prayer and be forgiven. If we do not do this, we are most miserable. This is the Holy Spirit bringing conviction to the believers and judgment to the ungodly. He is the restrainer of sin. O Father do not withdraw your Spirit from our nation. We need you.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Mercy Seat

Jesus has many titles. Perhaps the two most distant titles from each other are brought together at the mercy seat.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 


John 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

Jesus The Lamb of God and Jesus, Son of God are two distant names that came together as our atonement for sins. God came down in a human, to be the sacrifice, the Lamb of God for our sins; His blood applied to the mercy seat. This blood was received by God the Father as the atonement for our sins. Jesus has been called the Mercy Seat, the propitiation. He is the atonement, the sacrifice, and the sin forgiver as God the Son. Mercy grew to bring to us grace. We who receive Jesus by faith are adopted sons of God. Only a perfect sacrifice and our perfect loving and just God could do this for us.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 
Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Thieves

Recently thieves broke into the home of two Christian ladies and stole everything they could find.  These ladies are teachers of the Bible, they are examples of a separated couple who put the Lord ahead of all and still the thieves came to steal from them. These ladies were careful to secure their home with locks and secure windows, yet they broke in and removed things of value and important papers. Let's look at what the Bible says in a few verses about thieves.

 

Exo 22:2  If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
Exo 22:3  If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Exo 22:4  If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

 

A thief killed in the act of stealing , has met with justice. A thief caught in daylight  shall make full restitution, even restoring double if an animal is caught in his possession. Often a thief is not looked for or caught in our city and if found they rarely spend time in prison.

 

Judas was a thief

John 12:3  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Jonh 12:4  Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
John 12:5  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Jonh 12:7  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

 

There are spiritual thieves, false teachers, preachers and prophets who lead the flock astray and make merchandise of them.

 

John 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jonh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Satan is a thief of souls

 

Luk 12:33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Spiritually we are to place our greatest treasure in heaven, doing spiritual good works. The day of he Lord is a time of tribulation and the wrath of God. We are not under his wrath and hopefully we will not experience this time; but we will know the season.

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

We shall know the season of these events. It is to be expected that the Church will be raptured first. Next comes the evil days of the one world order, the one world monetary system. We can see this coming, and then the arrival of the  beast and the false prophet promising peace, but coming against God's people. The day of the Lord is judgement sent from God on the evil doers in this world. It is at the end of this age before Jesus returns to earth. Do not let the spiritual thief steal you away from faith in Jesus, he is coming soon. The wrath of God will not fall on God's people.

 

Eaglewings Ministries

 

I will never leave you

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Let your conversation: tropos, Manner of life, your ways, your character; be content, be satisfied with God's provision, do not seek after things or other idols; anything between you and God. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Our attention should be on serving and pleasing God, his Son Jesus with a way of life where he is Lord of all. I want his presence with me as he was with Moses.

This quote was originally given to Joshua, but Paul has applied it to all who are the heirs of salvation.

Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Jos 1:6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Be strong in faith, in your character by reading his word, in your actions, in following the Holy Spirit. Our inheritance is not a physical land but a place in heaven prepared for you, for us by our Master, Jesus Christ. He is coming for those who are looking for him. Keep in the word of truth, live for him, be content and expect him to come at any time. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and "I go to prepare a place for you", in my Father's house in heaven. Until he comes for us he will be with us in the Comforter that he will give to his disciples, the Spirit of truth and His power.

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 

Joh 14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 

Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Having his truth and power we must pray to the Father for His direction.

Eaglewings Ministries

If birds could think

That was some rain we had. All that rain made me hungry; I wonder if that person has

any bread for us? (no)

Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

Randy the goose sits at the edge of the pond, pondering the meaning of life. Sometimes it is just better to live life then to think too much, especially for a goose. Life is a gift.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

As Randy looks into the pond the bare trees are reflected; the ripples give the image a look of anxiety. Well it is no time for a pity party. This day is so beautiful, with a warm sun, no kids or dogs to chase me, I praise the creator for life and so many blessings. He has kept me going and life is worth the living knowing he is there.

Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

I returned home and looked out the kitchen window through the blinds to see two ring necked Turtle Doves swooping down into the bird feeder. They are so graceful, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. There is one Holy Spirit, but he is God and can be everywhere at once. The presence of God brings peace. The Spirit needs to be fed too. We need to feed on God's word. The doves are cautious. They do not mind the smaller sparrows who like to feed  there too.

Luke 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 

Come my little friends and feast on what has been provided for you and give thanks to your creator and to the food giver.

John 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 

John 21:12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 

John 21:13  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 

John 21:14  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 

Eaglewings Ministries