Joy Today

Rules, rules, and more rules. The Jewish people in Jesus' day had bunches of rules, especially about food. OK, non-Jewish Cornelius has sent three men from Joppa 30 miles north to Caesarea to locate the Apostle Peter. God knows that Peter needs, shall we say, an "attitude adjustment," away from tight, exclusionary Jewish rules to seeing the broad acceptance view of Almighty God. How did God change Peter's attitude? Acts 10:9-17, tells us: "The next day, as the men from Cornelius were nearing Joppa, Peter went up on the roof to pray. It was noon ... he fell into a trance, saw the sky open and a great canvas sheet, suspended by its four corners, was lowered onto the roof. In the canvas were all types of animals and birds that Jewish rules prohibited Jews from eating. Then a voice said to him,"Kill and eat any you wish." Peter replied, "Never, Lord. These are forbidden by Jewish law." The voice told him:" Do not contradict God. When He say...

Thank you, Bill, for letting me know that the Fathers'Day gift from the California Fruit Depot arrived and was enjoyed. Thank you for your faithful prayers that the day surgery on July 15 will go well. In the mighty name of Jesus, may safety and good purpose surround all your doings. Psalm 5:12, says it well:" For the Lord will bless the righteous. With favor He will compass him about as with a shield." LoveMom 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

Communication goes on all the time, in various forms. Well, my "walking with Jesus" friend, Acts 10:1-8, tells about a very special kind of communication...its a kind YOU may have experienced...Let's set the scene: "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a Centurian of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one who feared God, with his whole household. He gave a lot of money to help people and he prayed faithfully. About the ninth hour, one day, he saw a vision of an angel of the Lord, who spoke his name: "Cornelius." What is it, Lord,? he asked. The angel replied:" Your much giving and faithful praying have come to the attention of the Lord. And now, send men to Joppa and find a disciple named Peter. He is staying in the seaside home of Simon, the tanner. And Peter will tell you what you are to do." When the angel departed, Cornelius called two of his servants, and a devout soldier who waited on him, told them what th...

Communication goes on all the time, in various forms. Well, my "walking with Jesus" friend, Acts 10:1-8, tells about a very special kind of communication...its a kind YOU may have experienced...Let's set the scene: "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a Centurian of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one who feared God, with his whole household. He gave a lot of money to help people and he prayed faithfully. About the ninth hour, one day, he saw a vision of an angel of the Lord, who spoke his name: "Cornelius." What is it, Lord,? he asked. The angel replied:" Your much giving and faithful praying have come to the attention of the Lord. And now, send men to Joppa and find a disciple named Peter. He is staying in the seaside home of Simon, the tanner. And Peter will tell you what you are to do." When the angel departed, Cornelius called two of his servants, and a devout soldier who waited on him, told them what th...

Yes, we are in Acts, chapter 9, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Are your sandals well-fastened? We will be walking along the coast with Peter. North of Lydda, where Peter, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, healed Sense is, is the port of Joppa. " Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who was called Dorcas: the woman was full of good works which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died: whom they washed, and they laid her in an upper chamber...and they sent two men to Peter, in Lydda, about 30 miles away, to come quickly. Peter arose and went back with them to Joppa, to the upper chamber. The widows were there weeping. [ what would you or I do? What did Peter do?] Peter sent them all away. Then he knelt down and prayed and, turning to the body, said:"Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and called in the Saints and widows and pres...

The fresh morning air to greet our morning praises to the Lord Most High rejoices our hearts, my "walking with Jesus" friend. "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show THEM His covenant."(Psalm 25:14) Surely, "the secret of the Lord" was with the Apostle Peter as he travelled and preached at Lydda. A man there,named Aeneas, had been eight years such in bed from the palsy. And Peter said to him:" Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: get up." And immediately Aeneas got up. All all those who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord." O Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we praise Your Holy Name. Turn our hearts to Your ways, stir us to believe more clearly, speak more boldly and act with increased love, compassion and purpose as we see Your wonderous works and Your goodness to all of us. Forgive our sins and lead us in Your Light. For all that You are doing, and will do, we will remembe...

The fresh morning air to greet our morning praises to the Lord Most High rejoices our hearts, my "walking with Jesus" friend. "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show THEM His covenant."(Psalm 25:14) Surely, "the secret of the Lord" was with the Apostle Peter as he travelled and preached at Lydda. A man there,named Aeneas, had been eight years such in bed from the palsy. And Peter said to him:" Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: get up." And immediately Aeneas got up. All all those who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord." O Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we praise Your Holy Name. Turn our hearts to Your ways, stir us to believe more clearly, speak more boldly and act with increased love, compassion and purpose as we see Your wonderous works and Your goodness to all of us. Forgive our sins and lead us in Your Light. For all that You are doing, and will do, we will remembe...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. With Paul and Barnabus safely away to preach Jesus in Asia Minor, "Then the churches has rest throughout all Judaea and Samaria and Galilee, and we're edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit; and were multiplied." (Acts 9:31) Do we have a healthy understanding of what IS "the fear of the Lord"? God is mighty, yes. And He has requirements. Fail to meet them and there will be consequences. Thus, the "fear of the Lord" may be understood to be: having "awesome respect" for His power and majesty, such that we fear to ignore His commandments. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."(Proverbs 1:7)"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride...and the evil way.. "( Proverbs 8:13)"The fear of the Lord leads to long life."(Proverbs 10:27) "Fear of the Lord is a fountain of life."(Proverbs 14:27) At least 9...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. With Paul and Barnabus safely away to preach Jesus in Asia Minor, "Then the churches has rest throughout all Judaea and Samaria and Galilee, and we're edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit; and were multiplied." (Acts 9:31) Do we have a healthy understanding of what IS "the fear of the Lord"? God is mighty, yes. And He has requirements. Fail to meet them and there will be consequences. Thus, the "fear of the Lord" may be understood to be: having "awesome respect" for His power and majesty, such that we fear to ignore His commandments. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."(Proverbs 1:7)"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride...and the evil way.. "( Proverbs 8:13)"The fear of the Lord leads to long life."(Proverbs 10:27) "Fear of the Lord is a fountain of life."(Proverbs 14:27) At least 9...

With Saul/Paul was the treasure store of the Psalms, proclaiming the power, majesty, all-sufficiency, love, mercy, requirements and judgement of the Lord God Almighty. Today, being the 23rd, we rejoice in Psalm 23, letting it's truth fill our hearts and minds:" The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 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) When we let the Lord be our shepherd, we find that all we need is provided. Let the Lord be Shepherd, Provider, Healer, Redeemer. He wil...

With Saul/Paul was the treasure store of the Psalms, proclaiming the power, majesty, all-sufficiency, love, mercy, requirements and judgement of the Lord God Almighty. Today, being the 23rd, we rejoice in Psalm 23, letting it's truth fill our hearts and minds:" The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 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) When we let the Lord be our shepherd, we find that all we need is provided. Let the Lord be Shepherd, Provider, Healer, Redeemer. He wil...

So, Paul was blessed with an advocate in Barnabus, and was acceoted by Peter and John and the other Believers in Jerusalem. Acts 9:29, records that Saul preached fearlessly and debated with the Greeks about Jesus Christ. Well, my "walking with Jesus" friend, how long do you think the High Priest and his buddies tolerated the Christ-preaching of the ex-Pharisee Saul? You figured correctly: not for long. Soon the Believers caught wind of a plot to kill Saul. So, Acts 9:30, records that the brethren brought Saul 53 miles north west of Jerusalem to the coastal city of Caesarea and sent him north by sea to Tarsus, in the region of Asia Minor, way north of Jerusalem. The instructions Jesus gave his disciples after his resurrection and just before His assertion were:" Go! 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 that I have commanded..."(Matthew 28:19-20) Saul was now Paul, a discip...

So, Paul was blessed with an advocate in Barnabus, and was acceoted by Peter and John and the other Believers in Jerusalem. Acts 9:29, records that Saul preached fearlessly and debated with the Greeks about Jesus Christ. Well, my "walking with Jesus" friend, how long do you think the High Priest and his buddies tolerated the Christ-preaching of the ex-Pharisee Saul? You figured correctly: not for long. Soon the Believers caught wind of a plot to kill Saul. So, Acts 9:30, records that the brethren brought Saul 53 miles north west of Jerusalem to the coastal city of Caesarea and sent him north by sea to Tarsus, in the region of Asia Minor, way north of Jerusalem. The instructions Jesus gave his disciples after his resurrection and just before His assertion were:" Go! 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 that I have commanded..."(Matthew 28:19-20) Saul was now Paul, a discip...

Well, you figured correctly, my "walking with Jesus" friend: not all the Jews believed Saul's preaching about Jesus. And the High Priest, yep, he wanted Saul wiped out. Saul heard about their plans and how they had posted men to catch him at the city gate if he attempted to leave Damascus. Of course, the Believers kept him safe, then one night they let him down over the city wall in a basket. And away he went. Now, hang onto your hat while I tell you where he went. Are you sitting down? I hope you are. Because Saul wanted acceptance by. Peter and John, the leaders of the Believers, yes, Saul went to Jerusalem. He succeeded in keeping himself hidden, BUT, Peter and John were " big time" unsure about Saul's conversion so they would not see him. But GOD caused a believer named Barnabus to get with Saul, talk with him, see the strength and genuineness of his faith and his anointing by the Holy Spirit. So, Barnabus persuaded Peter and John to see Saul. When they...

Well, you figured correctly, my "walking with Jesus" friend: not all the Jews believed Saul's preaching about Jesus. And the High Priest, yep, he wanted Saul wiped out. Saul heard about their plans and how they had posted men to catch him at the city gate if he attempted to leave Damascus. Of course, the Believers kept him safe, then one night they let him down over the city wall in a basket. And away he went. Now, hang onto your hat while I tell you where he went. Are you sitting down? I hope you are. Because Saul wanted acceptance by. Peter and John, the leaders of the Believers, yes, Saul went to Jerusalem. He succeeded in keeping himself hidden, BUT, Peter and John were " big time" unsure about Saul's conversion so they would not see him. But GOD caused a believer named Barnabus to get with Saul, talk with him, see the strength and genuineness of his faith and his anointing by the Holy Spirit. So, Barnabus persuaded Peter and John to see Saul. When they...

You are Saul! Jesus appeared to you! He changed your intentions. You were blinded, led into Damascus, we're three days with out food or water. A disciple named Ananias obeyed a vision form God, came. He touched your eyes and your sight was restored. You ate, we're strengthened and stayed, studied and fellowshipped with the disciples "many days."(Acts 9:1-19) Then what? Did he hide from the very angry high priest? What would YOU or I have done? What did Saul do? It's amazing! " Saul went to the synagogues in Damascus and boldly preached Christ, that He IS the very Son of God! All who heard him were astonished. They asked:'Isn't this the guy who was out to destroy all those who preached Christ?" But Saul kept increasing in strength and boldness, and, much to the amazement of the Jews in Damascus, he preached persuasively that Jesus IS the Christ."(Acts 9:20-22) Has God ever changed YOUR direction? Called you or me to declare Jesus Christ to o...

You are Saul! Jesus appeared to you! He changed your intentions. You were blinded, led into Damascus, we're three days with out food or water. A disciple named Ananias obeyed a vision form God, came. He touched your eyes and your sight was restored. You ate, we're strengthened and stayed, studied and fellowshipped with the disciples "many days."(Acts 9:1-19) Then what? Did he hide from the very angry high priest? What would YOU or I have done? What did Saul do? It's amazing! " Saul went to the synagogues in Damascus and boldly preached Christ, that He IS the very Son of God! All who heard him were astonished. They asked:'Isn't this the guy who was out to destroy all those who preached Christ?" But Saul kept increasing in strength and boldness, and, much to the amazement of the Jews in Damascus, he preached persuasively that Jesus IS the Christ."(Acts 9:20-22) Has God ever changed YOUR direction? Called you or me to declare Jesus Christ to o...

You are Saul! Jesus appeared to you! He changed your intentions. You were blinded, led into Damascus, we're three days with out food or water. A disciple named Ananias obeyed a vision form God, came. He touched your eyes and your sight was restored. You ate, we're strengthened and stayed, studied and fellowshipped with the disciples "many days."(Acts 9:1-19) Then what? Did he hide from the very angry high priest? What would YOU or I have done? What did Saul do? It's amazing! " Saul went to the synagogues in Damascus and boldly preached Christ, that He IS the very Son of God! All who heard him were astonished. They asked:'Isn't this the guy who was out to destroy all those who preached Christ?" But Saul kept increasing in strength and boldness, and, much to the amazement of the Jews in Damascus, he preached persuasively that Jesus IS the Christ."(Acts 9:20-22) Has God ever changed YOUR direction? Called you or me to declare Jesus Christ to o...

A very clear perspective of the world, the Word of God, our choices and wisest course of action is provided for us, my " walking with Jesus" friend, by Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork, Day after day speaks of His work and night after night reveals knowledge, in every form of speaking and in every nation evidence of Creation is seen and spoken of, from one end of the earth to the other. In the heavens God has set a tabernacle for the sun whose circuit is from one end of the earth to the other. The law of the Lord, who created all these wonders, is perfect, converting the soul...the statutes of the Lord ARE right, rejoicing the heart...the judgements of the Lord ARE true and right altogether, more to be desired are they than God, and in keeping them is great reward. We know all this, so why do we keep on doing wrong? We need help. O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the unseen thoughts of my heart be acceptable in Yo...

Has the Lord ever asked you to do something special, my "walking with Jesus" friend? Have you and I discovered that obedience to the direction of the Lord IS definitely the path of blessing? Go see and heal the man who has been persecuting your brothers and sisters in Christ, God told Ananias. We imagine that he responded something like:" Are you for sure that he is not dangerous to me, Lord?" We read in Acts 9:15-19, that God answered: "Go Thy way: know that I have chosen Saul to carry My Name to the Gentils, to kings and to the children of Israel. I will show him what great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Ananias listened and obeyed. "Entering the house where Saul was, he put his hands on him and said:'Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus Himself who appeared to you as you travelled here, Jesus has sent me here that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from...

Challenged to change his purposes, and made blind so that he had to be led by the hand, the once prideful, vindictive Pharisee named Saul, is led into Damascus and delivered to a home on a street called Straight. There, he is, my "walkin with Jesus" friend, " three days with neither food nor drink."( Acts 9:9) Well, my friend, what could possibly happen next? Acts 9:10-15, reports: " And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named A maniac, and the Lord came to him in a vision, and said to him:'Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man called Saul of Tarsus. He is there praying. And he has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hands on him that he might receive his sight.' Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard by many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the high priest to bind in chains all who ...

Challenged to change his purposes, and made blind so that he had to be led by the hand, the once prideful, vindictive Pharisee named Saul, is led into Damascus and delivered to a home on a street called Straight. There, he is, my "walkin with Jesus" friend, " three days with neither food nor drink."( Acts 9:9) Well, my friend, what could possibly happen next? Acts 9:10-15, reports: " And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named A maniac, and the Lord came to him in a vision, and said to him:'Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man called Saul of Tarsus. He is there praying. And he has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hands on him that he might receive his sight.' Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard by many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the high priest to bind in chains all who ...

Have you, my "walking with Jesus" friend, ever set out to go somewhere and had the Lord message you that your intentions were wrong and He told you to change them? You have? Well then you can certainly relate to what took place next for Saul. Acts 9:3-8 reports:" And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shine around him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And Saul asked: "Who ARE YOU, LORD?" " I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Trembling and astonished, Saul replied:" What do you want me to do?"And the Lord told him: "Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." And the men travelling with Saul stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man. And Saul got up from the ground, but scales had come upon his eyes and he could not see. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascu...

Have you, my "walking with Jesus" friend, ever set out to go somewhere and had the Lord message you that your intentions were wrong and He told you to change them? You have? Well then you can certainly relate to what took place next for Saul. Acts 9:3-8 reports:" And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shine around him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And Saul asked: "Who ARE YOU, LORD?" " I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Trembling and astonished, Saul replied:" What do you want me to do?"And the Lord told him: "Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." And the men travelling with Saul stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man. And Saul got up from the ground, but scales had come upon his eyes and he could not see. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascu...

Please join me now, my "walking with Jesus" friend in Acts, chapter 9! OK, remember, in chapter 7, we met a Pharisee named Saul who let people throw their coats at his feet...while they joined in stoning the disciple Stephen to death? Remember THAT guy? Well, here he is, again. In Acts 9:1-2, it is reported:" And Saul, breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest. Saul asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, giving him permission, if he found any followers of Christ there, to bring them in chains to Jerusalem to be judged." Why was Saul so angry against Believers? The Bible does not say why directly. But the New Way of believing threatened to undermine, and replace the old way, with the status, perks and priviledges enjoyed by Saul, as a Pharisee, a religious ruler. The "privileged" do not like to be upstaged or uprooted or to have their "authority" questioned. Do we know people today who a...