Joy Today

Good morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend, In the mighty name of Jesus, may God bless you. Detained overnight JUST for teaching about Jesus, the next morning, Peter and John were brought before the temple "rulers, elders and scribes, Annas, the High Priest, and Caiaphas...and other kinfolk of the high priest in Jerusalem. And they demanded to know: By what power or by what name are you doing healing and teaching?" Well, you KNOW what happened next? Yes, " And Peter, FULL of Holy Spirit power [ just as Jesus promised] said, You rulers...If you are questioning us about the healing of the lame man, and asking by what means was he made whole, then hear this: By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YOU crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, this man was made whole...Neither is there salvation by any other, for there is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved." With Peter's boldness and the healed man standing there in front of them...

How long, my "walking with Jesus" friend, do you think the Pharisees are going to tolerate the popularity of Peter and John, and their healings and teachings about Jesus? Yeah, you're right: not for long..." And even as Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple guards, and the Saducees came upon them, Being annoyed that they were teaching the people about the resurrection of Jesus. And they laid hands on them, and put them on hold til the next day: for it was now evening. HOWEVER, in spite of the hostile attitude and actions of the high priest and Saducees, MANY who heard the Word of God and the truth of Jesus BELIEVED! In fact there were about five thousand men who believed."(Acts 4:1-4) Jesus Himself has declared:" I am the Light of the world, he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life."(John 8:12) Have WE found healing in Jesus? Are WE proclaiming the love of God boldl...

"We are witnesses that God raised up The Prince of Life, Peter declared, and it is his name, through faith that has made this man whole, and has given him perfect soundness before your very eyes." What would YOU and I have thought, my "walking with Jesus" friend? What would we have done after seeing such a miracle? A lame man, enabled suddenly to walk? And we could see that it came about by the power of the Name of Jesus! Let's listen...Now Peter is saying:" "Repent. Be converted, by the POWER of Jesus, so that your sins may be blotted out, and times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord..."(Acts 3:16-19) Many who heard The Word believed, and began praising God for their salvation, for coming out of the darkness of sin, into the Light of the Lord. They " cleaned up their act," rejoiced in the power of God, and began to " walk in newness of life."(Romans 6:4) How shall WE tell others of the POWER of God, throu...

The whole city seemed excited and full of new-found spiritual Joy in Jesus but, I am sure we all can guess which people were NOT so happy...Here's what happened: As Peter and John were walking into the temple, a beggar, lame from birth, cried out to them for a donation. We have no silver or gold to give you, Peter told the man, but we can give you something else: "I command you, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, RISE UP AND WALK."Peter reached out his hand pulled him up and his feet and ankle bones were strengthened so that he stood, then walked and, leaping for joy, he went into the temple with them. Seeing that the lame man had been healed, the people were amazed and gathered around Peter. "Yes, you are amazed," He said. " But don't look at US, as though we made this man walk. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob who has brought glory to His Son Jesus, the Christ, by healing this man. He was healed in the mighty name of Jesus." The people were ex...

Great enthusiasm filled the new believers. Turning away from sin, being forgiven by Almighty God and finding new faith to live in a right relationship with God generated love, Joy and peace in their lives...How does fresh faith affect you/and me? Are we "a bump on a log," or a bright light that shines with the love and joy of the Lord? Acts 2:44-47, says: " The new believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshipped together regularly at the temple each day, met in small groups in each other's homes for Communion, and shared meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God. The Whole city was favorable to them, and every day, God added to their number all those who were becoming believers/were being saved from the darkness of sin and the wrath of God, and choosing to "walk in the Light of the Lord..."(1 John 1:7) To respond to this text message, reply to this ...

Peter continued to speak boldly, my "walking with Jesus" friend. He told everyone: "God spoke to my Lord, the Messiah, and said to Him, 'Sit here in honor beside Me, until I bring your enemies into complete subjection.' Therefore, I clearly state to everyone in Israel that God has made JESUS, whom you crucified, to be the Lord, the Messiah." Well, these bold statements by Peter moved everyone deeply, and the people asked Peter:" What shall we do?" Peter declared:" Each one of YOU must turn away from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; THEN, you also shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...And those who believed were baptized, about 3,000 in all, and the joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the Apostles' teaching sessions, communion services and prayer meetings. A deep sense of awe was upon them all, and the Apostles did many miracles."(Acts 2:30b-43...

Buckle on your sandals, my "walking with Jesus" friend, let's hurry. Peter is being bold in Jerusalem. Bold? Yes, the Holy Spirit of God has come into Peter with POWER, just as Jesus promised. And now Peter is declaring the facts that reveal Jesus to be the long-awaited and promised Messiah/Deliverer/Redeemer. "O men of Israel, listen! God biblically endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing tremendous miracles through him, as you well know. But God, following His prearranged plan, let you use the ruling Roman government to nail him to the cross and murder him. But GOD released him from death and brought him back to life. And we have seen him alive. The Risen Christ has appeared to us, his disciples...God had promised to provide a Messiah to sit on the throne of David, in fact, Christ has merited the right to sit on the highest throne of honor in Heaven, next to God. And, just as He promised, God gave Christ Jesus the authority to send the Holy Spirit upon Believers. You ...

Buckle on your sandals, my "walking with Jesus" friend, let's hurry. Peter is being bold in Jerusalem. Bold? Yes, the Holy Spirit of God has come into Peter with POWER, just as Jesus promised. And now Peter is declaring the facts that reveal Jesus to be the long-awaited and promised Messiah/Deliverer/Redeemer. "O men of Israel, listen! God biblically endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing tremendous miracles through him, as you well know. But God, following His prearranged plan, let you use the ruling Roman government to nail him to the cross and murder him. But GOD released him from death and brought him back to life. And we have seen him alive. The Risen Christ has appeared to us, his disciples...God had promised to provide a Messiah to sit on the throne of David, in fact, Christ has merited the right to sit on the highest throne of honor in Heaven, next to God. And, just as He promised, God gave Christ Jesus the authority to send the Holy Spirit upon Believers. You ...

Good Morning, my " walking with Jesus" friend. It's the 23rd, and we will step away from the Bible book of Acts and the coming upon the Apostles of the Holy Spirit, to lift up the awesome provisions of the Lord for us in Psalm 23:" The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pasture, He leads me beside still water. He restores me soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yes, even though I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over; surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever."(Psalm 23, all six verses) Let us receive the comfort and gracious, generous provision of. The Lord, and carry that out into our world, in the mighty name of Je...

"Walking with Jesus," is exciting, my friend! Tongues of flame over their heads, and them speaking in multiple different languages!!! Wow! That Holy Spirit has Power, and gives Power, EXACTLY as Jesus said! (Acts 1:8) "And there were at that time, dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven...and they were all amazed that each one heard his own language being spoken...telling the wonderous works of God...and Peter stood up, with the eleven, and said, listen to me...THIS is what was prophesied by Joel: (Joel 2:28) "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in Heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath...and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on ...

"Walking with Jesus," is exciting, my friend! Tongues of flame over their heads, and them speaking in multiple different languages!!! Wow! That Holy Spirit has Power, and gives Power, EXACTLY as Jesus said! (Acts 1:8) "And there were at that time, dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven...and they were all amazed that each one heard his own language being spoken...telling the wonderous works of God...and Peter stood up, with the eleven, and said, listen to me...THIS is what was prophesied by Joel: (Joel 2:28) "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in Heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath...and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on ...

Yes, my "walking with Jesus friend" the glorious Ascension of the RISEN Christ was the eleventh post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus!Would you and I like to have been there?What would WE have thought when Jesus told the apostles to STAY in Jerusalem UNTIL the POWER of the Holy Spirit came upon them? Did the Apostles STAY? Yes, of course they did! With the promise of being empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, wow, you and I would do the same, WE would surely STAY. Besides, I am sure we all agree that it is ALWAYS wise to do as Jesus asks/commands/directs! And, sure enough a short time later, when the apostles were gathered together, ...suddenly there came a sound from Heaven of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them tongues, as of fire, that sat upon EACH one. And they were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:2-4) They STAYED, as J...

And again, Jesus met His apostles on a high mountain. "To them He had shown Himself alive after His passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And, being assembled together with them, Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father...you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days...You shall receive POWER after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had spoken these things, while they watched, Jesus was taken UP; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they loomed steadfastly toward Heaven, as He went up, behold, two men in white apparel stood by them; and they said:" Why are you just standing here gazing into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall ...

And again, Jesus met His apostles on a high mountain. "To them He had shown Himself alive after His passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And, being assembled together with them, Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father...you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days...You shall receive POWER after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had spoken these things, while they watched, Jesus was taken UP; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they loomed steadfastly toward Heaven, as He went up, behold, two men in white apparel stood by them; and they said:" Why are you just standing here gazing into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall ...

You have probably been counting, my "walking with Jesus" friend, and, yes, we have already visited nine of the twelve post Resurrection appearances of Christ. Who saw Him next? Yes, His brother James! 1 Corinthians 15:7, "After that [that occasion when he was seen by "about 500 brethren at once] he was seen by James..." Seeing the RISEN Savior empowered James to become the leader of the Christ-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17)And, it is James, the brother of Jesus, who is believed to have written the New Testament book of James. Faith must be expressed/demonstrated by action, James wrote: "True religion, and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27) His five chapters instruct us in practical Christianity. "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."(James 1:19b) "Submit yourselves to God. Res...

You have probably been counting, my "walking with Jesus" friend, and, yes, we have already visited nine of the twelve post Resurrection appearances of Christ. Who saw Him next? Yes, His brother James! 1 Corinthians 15:7, "After that [that occasion when he was seen by "about 500 brethren at once] he was seen by James..." Seeing the RISEN Savior empowered James to become the leader of the Christ-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17)And, it is James, the brother of Jesus, who is believed to have written the New Testament book of James. Faith must be expressed/demonstrated by action, James wrote: "True religion, and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27) His five chapters instruct us in practical Christianity. "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."(James 1:19b) "Submit yourselves to God. Res...

Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, we know that gathering together to praise the Lord, be blessed with fellowship, be encouraging to one another and share the worship is a strong , healthy faith-habit of Believers. So, we understand why about 500 believers would have gathered. 1 Corinthians 5:6, reports the gathering and the appearance to those Believers of the RISEN Christ. "About 500..." What do you think about the fact that 500 people, in the same place, at the same time SAW the RISEN Christ? What did He say to them? What did they do after seeing Him alive? What would you and I have done then? What do we do NOW, to show that we KNOW Christ is Alive? Psalm 18:46, declares:" The Lord lives, and blessed be my ROCK, and let the God of my salvation be exalted." To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email ...

Strap on your sandals, we're going up on a mountain..."And the eleven disciples went up into a mountain in Galilee, where the RISEN CHRIST had arppointed to meet them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some still doubted. And Jesus spoke to them saying, 'All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.' "( Matthew 28:16-20) Yes, clear instructions, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Shall we receive them with an open heart and mind, ready hands, and feet quick to follow the Master? To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notification...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend, I am glad to "see" you again this morning. "A fire of coals" (John 21:9) had been made by Jesus, and fish and bread laid on it. Early morning breakfast on the beach, by the Sea of Galilee, with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ! Can you and I even imagine how amazing that was? Jesus talked with Peter, then saw Jesus talking with "John, the disciple whom Jesus loved"(John 21:20)" What is this man going to do?" Peter asked Jesus. "IF it is my will that John remain alive til I come again, what business is that of yours? My instructions to YOU are: Follow Me."(John 21:22) For each of us, The Lord has instructions. Never mind what He does/or does not tell someone else to do, let me do what He specifically asks me to do. To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd...

How about another fish, my "walking with Jesus" friend? Fresh caught is so delicious. The Risen Christ is here with some of his disciples, in the early morning by the Sea of Galilee. Now Jesus turns to Peter and asks: "Simon Peter, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these?" Peter answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' And Jesus says to him: "Feed my sheep." Then, a second time Jesus asks, Simon Peter, son of Jonas, do you love me?" And Peter replies: "Yes, Lord, you know that I. Love you." And Jesus responds:" Feed my sheep." Then, a third time, Jesus asks:"Simon Peter, son of Jonas, do you love me?" Now Peter was upset to be asked a third time, and he replied:" Lord, You know all things; You know that I. Love you." And Jesus responded:" Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17)The Bible teaches that we are the Lord's/ that "we are the people of His. Pasture and the sheep of His h...

Now the disciples are gathered again. Is Thomas with them this time? Will the Risen Savior come again? What do you think, my "walking with Jesus" friend? What does the Gospel of John report? "And after eight days again His disciples were gathered together, and Thomas was with them: then Jesus came, although the door was shut, and stood in the midst, and said:' Peace be unto you.' And He said to Thomas, 'Reach here your finger, and behold my hands: and reach here your hand, and thrust it into my side: and do not be faithless, but believe.' And Thomas answered, 'My Lord and my God.' And Jesus said, 'Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they who have not seen me, and yet have BELIEVED.'"(John 20:26-29) With spiritual eyes, Lord, may our hearts "see" you with JOY, and BELIEVE. To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Yes, Jesus appeared to 10 of the 11 disciples. And the 10 told Thomas, who had been absent, "We have seen the Lord. He is RISEN. What would YOU have said? Here is what Thomas said:"Unless I SEE the nail prints in His hands, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side where the pierced Him with a spear, I will not believe." Thomas required evidence. Is it fair to call him "doubting Thomas"? Would you and I have doubted and required proof, or would we have believed the report of the other 10 disciples? Do we require proof now, or are we confident in the reports that Jesus IS Risen and Alive? Scripture tells us that "He is seated at the right hand of God where He is always interceeding with God the Father, on our behalf."(Hebrews 7:25) In fact, we are counselked:" Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in ti...

We have a dynamic invitation, my " walking with Jesus" friend. "O COME, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord, our God, our Maker, for He is our God, and we are His people and the sheep of His hand."(Psalm 95:6-7) We rejoice to come into the Presence of the Lord with singing, thank Him for His mercy and grace, worship Him in spirit and in truth, ask His forgiveness then " walk in newness of life."(Romans 6:4) In HOW MANY ways will we worship the Lord today? Every day? To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

Excited...and amazed, the two in Emmaus, hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others:"We have seen Jesus! He is RISEN!" "Then, the same day, at evening, being the first day of the week,, when the doors were shut where the disciples were gathered in fear of the Jesus, JESUS came and stood in their midst and said:"Peace be unto you." After saying that, He showed them His hands with the nail prints, and His side. And they were glad to see the RISEN Lord. Jesus continued, "Peace be unto you: as My Father sent Me, even so, I send you." And when He had said that, He breathed on them, and said:"Receive the Holy Spirit. Who ever' s sins you forgive, they are forgiven; and who ever's sins remain, they are retained." At that time the disciple Thomas was not with them when Jesus came."(John 20:19-24) Would YOU like to have been there and seen the RISEN Lord? Shall we say, with Psalm 18:46, "The Lord lives! And blessed be my ROCK, and...

Sandals on securely, my" walking with Jesus" friend? Later on Resurrection Day, two followers are walking on the road to Emmaus, a village seven miles west of Jerusalem. Talking while walking, suddenly, they were joined by Jesus (but they did not recognize Him). What's this you are talking about? He asked. One of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be a stranger to Jerusalem. Haven' t you known what has happened?" Jesus asked:"What things?" And they told Him: " Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. But the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and they crucified Him. Now some of the women went to the tomb, but the body was gone, and angels told them Jesus is Risen!" Then Jesus recounted to them all the scriptures saying Messiah WOULD suffer, die and be raised. As evening came, they reached the village. "Stay with us," they said. Then, a...