What a treat to watch these beautiful trumpeter swans swim and honk and dive for corn.
We learned they are migrating down from Minnesota!
And the buffleheads were too cute!
I love a yellow tree!
And its golden carpet of leaves.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Back to Acts
I've been called back to Acts. It is such an exciting book of the Bible. This passage today really helped me to wake up this morning in more ways than one. I read it again when I returned home from work.
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
Well, right off the bat this speaks to me. Who am I trying to please, men or God? It is a call back to obedience and right perspective.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
Yes, thank you Jesus, for being our Prince and Savior. Thank you for forgiving our sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
And thank you for this man who spoke up. Forgive me, Lord, for the times when I have not spoken up for you. Help me to be bold and speak up when you want me to.
35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
This reminds me to seek God's will. I need to make sure I am following His will and not putting my agenda ahead of His, which is pretty much what I do every day.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
God will prevail. Do not give up doing His work for He is the victor in the end. Don't kick against the goads.
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
What? They were flogged anyway! This reminds me that in this life you will have trouble. I was amazed and humbled by this next part.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
This floored me! They rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering for Christ's name. Wow! Unbelievable!
And again, verse 42 reminds me to keep going, day after day.
Acts 5:29-42
New International Version (NIV)
Well, right off the bat this speaks to me. Who am I trying to please, men or God? It is a call back to obedience and right perspective.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
Yes, thank you Jesus, for being our Prince and Savior. Thank you for forgiving our sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
And thank you for this man who spoke up. Forgive me, Lord, for the times when I have not spoken up for you. Help me to be bold and speak up when you want me to.
35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
This reminds me to seek God's will. I need to make sure I am following His will and not putting my agenda ahead of His, which is pretty much what I do every day.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
God will prevail. Do not give up doing His work for He is the victor in the end. Don't kick against the goads.
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
What? They were flogged anyway! This reminds me that in this life you will have trouble. I was amazed and humbled by this next part.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
This floored me! They rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering for Christ's name. Wow! Unbelievable!
And again, verse 42 reminds me to keep going, day after day.
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