the Apostle page 5

 the Apostle page 5 by ric gustafson

One day, Saul's day against Stephen came. The elders sat down on synagogue benches to listen. Saul started his argument by claiming that Jesus was under God's curse and was nailed to a tree. Saul stated that Jesus's disciples stole his body. Saul stated that Jesus's resurrection was fake. Saul proclaimed that Jesus's tomb was empty.

Stephen countered and disputed Saul's accusations. He explained to the elders that Jesus was not a conqueror. He allowed himself to be hurt, jeered at, murdered and then he rose from the dead. Stephen quoted eyewitness evidence that Jesus was seen alive after his death. Stephen won the case.

In response, the Pharisees did what they did best. They pursued Stephen. They stirred up enmity, jealousy and dissension. They twisted Stephen's words to make them blasphemous. One day, the Pharisees had had enough. They arrested Stephen. They brought him before the Sanhedrin. Saul was present.

research help: ' The Apostle' by John Pollock

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Sabbath page 1

 Sabbath page 1 by ric gustafson

According to Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Look around. Do you see trees, leaves, and blue sky. You are observing an effect the evidence of a cause. That cause is creation. 

There are two explanations for our existence. 1. We are created we are designed. Our life has purpose. We are not a mistake. We are a miracle. 2. We are a mistake. We are the product of a happy accident. Our emotions are simply neurons flying in a pattern of millions of years. We are not a miracle. We are an arrangement of carbon. 

More people are choosing option number 2. There has been a sharp rise in secularism and atheism. Their appeal is seductive and simple. They believe that if there is no God then no one has authority over you. If there is no divine order, there is no moral obligation. There is no higher law to challenge your desires or instruct your will. In the absence of God, personal choice reigns supreme.

This trend is measurable. By 2021, the percentage of American adults identified as unaffiliated has gone up to around 30 percent. Over 40 percent of millennials and Gen Zers claim no religious affiliation at all.

Why the decline?. The turn toward secularism is about control. Some people don't want to serve a God that wants you to live a certain way. Some people want their own control. Some people are obsessed with self acceptance  and personal freedom.

Which brings us to the Sabbath and Genesis 1:1.

research help: ' Stop in the name of God' by Charlie Kirk

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Christ

 names of Jesus: Christ by ric gustafson

The Christ in Hebrew is Messiah. Christ is the anointed one. He was set apart from the beginning to reign as the King. Christ is the King, Priest and the Prophet. Christ is the perfect one the Messiah. 

There have been many prophecies foretold about the Christ. Christ is the door to the Father. And through the Christ, we are ushered into the Father's kingdom.

So who is the Christ?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Bridegroom

names of Jesus: Bridegroom by ric gustafson

We are waiting for the Bridegroom. Revelation 19 says that we are waiting for the Bridegroom's return. On that day, we will rejoice and give him the glory. The church will be ready. The marriage of the Lamb has come. The Bride has made herself ready.

We are waiting between the promise and the fulfillment. We take hope in God's presence to ready ourselves for that glorious day. The Bridegroom loves us so much. There is joy in the Bridegroom's presence.

So who is the Bridegroom?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Bethsaida page 4

 Bethsaida page 4 by ric gustafson

In Area A of the Bethsaida excavation, six levels were found. A massive structure was found on level 2. This level was predicted to be from the Hellenistic period. On level 6, a single large room was measured at 21.2 by 11.5 meters. Also excavated was a large segment of the northern wall. There was also an elaborate entrance to the structure.

Heavy slabs in the structure suggest the remains of a floor. The corner of the structure is 8.1 meters from the entrance. The northeastern wing of the structure was of solid construction. It was 2.85 meters thick and was built from large boulders. The east wall of the structure was poorly preserved. The west wall measured at 1.10 meters wide. The south wall was in fair condition. The northwest corner of the structure had not been excavated yet. A Hellenistic floor was discovered along the south wall.

Two column posts were discovered. One was measured at 0.53 meters in diameter and 0.4 meter high. The other was 0.6 meter in diameter and 0.5 meter high.

research: ' Bethsaida' by Rami Arav and Richard Freund

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Bread of Life

 names of Jesus: Bread of Life by ric gustafson

Our physical bodies need food. We are not just human bodies. We have souls and spirits that also need nourishment. We were not created just to eat, drink and work. We were created from and for love. 

The Bread of Life satisfies our soul hunger and our spiritual thirst. We crave the Bread of Life for nourishment. The Bread of Life is our daily bread. The Bread of Life meets our deepest needs. When we receive and believe, our hunger is satisfied. John 6 says I am the bread that gives life.

So who is the Bread of Life?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Branch

 names of Jesus: Branch by ric gustafson

The Branch reveals the fruit of the tree. The tree is the Father. The fruit of God is unchanging. Galatians 5 talks about the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. 

The Branch was echoed in John 15. According to Isaiah 4, in that day the Branch shall be beautiful and glorious. The Branch has also been called the Vine. Those who yield to the Branch are offshoots. We need to follow the Branch's nature. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Branch.

So who is the Branch?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric