Messiah page 1

 Messiah page 1 by ric gustafson

Mary pulled back the drapery. She gazed at her oldest son. He was asleep. She began to worry about him. He had been gone longer than usual. He had lost weight. His brothers and sisters Josey, Simon, Jude, James, Ann and Leah also worried about him. Mary was tired. She had trouble sleeping. Day and night, troubled dreams persisted.

Yesterday afternoon, Mary's oldest son came home. He walked up the steps. He gave her a big hug. Behind Jesus were three young men. The first two were named Andrew and Philip. Nathanail Bartholomew was the third. They could not stay long. They were on their way to Cana.

Cana Mary thought to herself as the three left. She had forgotten that her cousin Deborah's daughter was married there yesterday. 

Jesus laid down for a long nap. When he woke up, the home was very quiet. " Mother, why is everything so quiet?".

Mary smiled. " Everyone is at Cana celebrating".

Jesus grinned. " Then that is where we will go".

research help: ' The Messiah' by Marjorie Holmes

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Author of Faith

 names of Jesus: Author of Faith by ric gustafson

It is by grace that we have been saved by faith. Faith is a gift from God. We cannot strive to earn our place in God's kingdom. Faith is a gift free and graciously received.

The Author of Faith is the originator of our faith. The Author of Faith perfects our faith. We must come with an open heart of surrender. He guides us in his goodness. It requires a heart that trusts his own. Through the hills and valleys of our life, the Author of Faith never changes in his faithfulness, mercy and justice.

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

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Apostle page 4

the Apostle page 4 by ric gustafson

Saul spent a lot of time at the Temple in Jerusalem. He sat on a stone bench along a wall. At a small platform, Saul listened to whomever read the Law and expanded on it.

One day, Saul listened to a young man who was around Saul's age. His name was Stephen. He could speak Greek and Aramaic. Stephen was a quick thinker and had a powerful mind.

Saul stood out in a crowd. He had beetling eyebrows and a black beard. Saul wore a blue fringed robe and a turban like headdress. Faithfully he did rituals of cleaning platters and cups. He kept the weekly fasts and the daily prayers. Saul's goal was a prominent seat in the synagogue.

Saul's days were consumed by his legal career. Saul groomed himself for heaven. He was a Pharisee. He had little time for the poor, the lame or the outcast.

In the 2 years since Jesus of Nazareth was executed, Saul knew the carpenter had followers who believed that he had risen from the dead. Saul began to study this Stephen carefully.

Saul's turn was coming.

research help: ' The Apostle' by John Pollock

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Arm of the Lord

 names of Jesus: Arm of the Lord by ric gustafson

The Arm of the Lord is God's strength on display. The Arm of the Lord used miracles in his earthly ministry. He continues to move in mighty ways through the Holy Spirit. The Arm of the Lord is merciful, powerful and present.

The Arm of the Lord delivers all people from their sin. He is the one who lifts the humble from lowly places and seats them with princes. The Arm of the Lord crushes evil. Nothing can wrestle us from his grasp. We are secure and safe in the Arm of the Lord.

So who is the Arm of the Lord?. 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: Apostle of our Confession

 names of God: Apostle of our Confession by ric gustafson

The Apostle of our Confession is the highest example to follow. All who come to him receive mercy and his grace and love. He gives forgiveness of sins. He gives a calling to a higher way of life. Hebrews 3 says consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Confession.

He gives a heavenly call. We are blessed to know his heart and ministry. He gives us the Holy Spirit to teach, correct and guide us. There is no better example  and higher model. 

So who is the Apostle of our Confession?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

William Jefferson Clinton page 3

 William Jefferson Clinton page 3 by ric gustafson

My name is Bill Clinton.

I loved my great Aunt Otie and my great Uncle Carl Russell. Opal was my Grandmother's sister. My Grandmother's brother was Uncle Buddy. Uncle Buddy and his wife Ollie had 4 children. Dwayne was a shoe manufacturer executive. Conrad and Falba lived in Dallas and then later in Hope. The youngest Myra was a rodeo queen. My extended family memories were centered around meals, story telling and conversation. 

My extended family did not have much money. But there was a lot of love. My Uncle Buddy was a great storyteller. The big meals of the week were on the weekends.

I learned a lot from my grandparents. I learned a lot from my Aunts and Uncles.

I miss Uncle Buddy. He got lung cancer. He lived to be 91.

research help: ' My Life' by Bill Clinton

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Apostle page 3

 the Apostle page 3 by ric gustafson

Saul's father most likely was a master tentmaker. Tents were leather or cloth woven from the hair of black goats. Nothing is told of Saul's mother. Saul had at least one sister. The family was born to wealth. Saul's father was a citizen of Tarsus.

At home, he went by the name of Saul. Saul's parents were Pharisees. This party believed in Jewish nationalism and strict obedience to the Law of Moses. The family spoke Aramaic. It was the language of Judea.

Around the age of 14, Saul left for Jerusalem to study at the feet of Gamaliel. Before joining the Sanhedrin, Saul needed to master a trade. Saul moved back to Tarsus.

It is not known if Saul marries or not. 

When he is 30 years old, Saul returns to Jerusalem.

research help: ' The Apostle' by John Pollock

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric