Hiatus

Well I've went and done it! I've burned myself out with too many commitments! It's time for me to break away from almost everything for awhile and come back after a rest for a bit of restocking. I'm tired!

I'll be vacationing in Wyoming for a week soon too so that should help. In any case, I didn't want you all to wonder where I'd flaked off too. I hope to return refreshed and inspired.

Blessings all!!


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Resurrection Day

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ' The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' " And they remembered His words.

Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?"

So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."

Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.

Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24:1-53

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true? Yes it is!

My Persecuted Family

Near and dear to my heart are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith.

This very moment!

One might think that such a thing ended with the coliseums of Rome. You may have read Fox’s Book of Martyrs and thought … “glad I didn’t live back then!”. Sadly, there are more Christians being persecuted for their faith today than ever before.

On the wall next to my computer is a small map that shows all the countries of the world and their level of hostility towards Christians.

Many are considered “restricted” which includes countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature. Also included are countries with government-sanctioned circumstances or anti-Christian laws that lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness.

“Hostile” areas include large areas in nations where governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population, but Christians are victims of violence because of their witness.

More than anything else these precious ones need the support of our prayers. Sometimes, however, it’s hard to know how to pray for the persecuted church so I am posting the following resource provided by the Be-A-Voice Network to help us.

Pray:
• That persecuted believers will stand firm in their faith. (1 Peter 5:8-10)
• That they will not be fearful, but trust God. (Rev. 2:10)
• That they will not seek to retaliate, but entrust themselves to Him who judges justly and seek to live in peace with everyone. (Rom. 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:23)
• That they will be enabled to rejoice, even in suffering. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
• That they will be able to actually love and forgive those who persecute them. (Matt. 5:43-44; Luke 23:34; Col. 3:13)
• That they will bless those who have persecuted them. (Rom. 12:14, 21)
• That they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart. (Heb. 10:32-39; Heb.12:1-3)
• That they will trust God to enable them to proclaim the Gospel even while suffering. (2 Tim. 4:16-18)
• That they will rely on the Lord's strength and not on their own. (2 Cor. 1:8-9)
• That those who oppress Christians may experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did. (Acts 9:1-19)
• For the provision of Bibles and other Christian literature to reach the most remote and needy areas where they are in the shortest supply. (Psalm 119:42-43)
• That those who suffer tremendous physical pain and trials will be delivered by the Lord from their agony. (II Corinthians 1:9-11)
• That local leaders of the persecuted churches around the world would continue to faithfully fulfill their God-given responsibilities. (I Peter 5:1-4)
• That those of us who have religious freedom will understand what it means to suffer with other members of the worldwide church. (I Corinthians 12:26)
• That we who have religious freedom would have the boldness and courage to speak out and seek to make changes in the name of the Lord, on behalf of persecuted believers. (Proverbs 31:8-9)
• That we who have religious freedom would faithfully remember and pray for our Christian family worldwide who are in prison and suffering for their faith. (Hebrews 13:3)

You can also write letters to Christians who are in prison! If you are interested please visit Prisoner Alert.

It is my hope that you will get involved. Thank you and God bless you!



Heb 13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

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