biblical questions: Does God hear our cries for help?

 biblical questions: Does God hear our cries for help? by ric gustafson

In Genesis 21, we hear the story of a woman and her son. Their names are Hagar and Ishmael. At the insistence of his wife, Abraham sent these two away. All they had was a canteen of water and some bread. 

Soon, the water and bread were gone. Hagar was at the end of her rope. Worried about her son, Hagar cried out to God. Did God hear her cry?. The answer was yes. He gave them water to survive.

God hears our cries. Even when our situation is hopeless, God will give us comfort and provision.

God did not forget Hagar and Ishmael. God will not forget us. He will meet all of our needs.

Praise God's name.

research help: ' 365 essential questions from the Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

biblical questions: can you hide from God?

 biblical questions: can you hide from God? by ric gustafson

According to Genesis 3:9, God was calling to Adam " Where are you?". As fallen human beings when we stumble our first thought is to try to hide from God. Adam knew he had messed up. Instead of coming to God and restoring fellowship with him, he tried to hide.

In Psalm 139, David knew he could not hide from God. When we mess up, God says come to me don't hide. Then he will forgive us, cleanse us and then restore us. Because we are sinners, we need God's forgiveness. He promises to do that. Praise God's name.

research help: ' 365 Essential Questions from the Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Aya page 18

 Aya page 18 by ric gustafson

Aya heard the knock. Seraiah walked over and stood next to his mother. She opened the door.

" Sha'ul".

He walked in. In his hand was a tablet. " I have a gift for your son".

Aya nodded. He took the gift.

He smiled. " It is from your uncle Sha'ul".

The boy began to write on the wax.

Sha'ul grinned. " You are very bright".

Seraiah blushed.

" Thank you brother for the gift". She smiled. " Please sit down".

All three sat down at a table.

" Now brother". Aya stared at Sha'ul. " Tell me what happened?".

research help: ' The Apostle's Sister' by Angela Hunt

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Aya page 17

 Aya page 17 by ric gustafson

The elderly woman sat down next to Aya. " We will walk with you to the graveyard". She smiled. " We will grieve with you".

Aya watched as women prepared Avidan's body for burial.

" Just take care of your baby and mourn your husband".

Aya stared at the woman. 

" We will do everything else".

Then Aya's thoughts turned to her brother. Why did he abandon them?. Why did he give up everything to start following a false prophet?.

Aya looked at the elderly woman. " Now what do I do?".

She smiled. " First, you must ask HaShem for wisdom". She thought for a moment. " You could stay and raise your son here in the Holy City".

Aya was surprised by the idea. She looked around the house. She wanted to raise her son here.

She stared at the elderly woman. 

" I will do whatever I have to to stay here".

After everyone had left, she stared at the front door. What would she say if her brother walked through that door?.

research help: ' The Apostle's Sister' by Angela Hunt

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Advent 2022: Revelation 22:14

 Advent 2022: Revelation 22:14 by ric gustafson

We will not enter the New Jerusalem in our sin soiled clothes. We will not enter wearing our garments of goodness and personal morality. 

According to Revelation 7, it will be only those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Jesus's blood cleanses us from every stain. Jesus's blood makes us white as snow. This 
Advent we need to prepare for Jesus's coming. When we wear white robes, we receive God's blessing.

Praise Jesus's name.

research help: ' Be Born in us Today' by Chad Bird

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Aya page 16

 Aya page 16 by ric gustafson

Aya heard the knock. She opened the door. Outside was one of her husband's friends.

Ezra walked in. He had a somber look on his face.

Aya became concerned. " What's wrong Ezra?".

He embraced her. " Avidan's dead".

" What?". Confusion filled her mind. " I thought he was with you".

" We were crossing a street". His voice hesitated. " He was struck by a runaway wagon".

Aya began to weep.

" Avidan was a good friend".

Aya weeped louder.

" Don't worry". He embraced her again. " My wife and I will look after you".

He left.

Without her husband and her brother, Aya felt alone.

research help: ' The Apostle's Sister' by Angela Hunt

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Aya page 15

 Aya page 15 by ric gustafson

One day, Aya was holding her son. All of a sudden, the front door quickly opened. Avidan walked in. He closed the door and then closed the shutters.

" You better sit down".

" What is it Avidan?". She held tightly to her son. " You are scaring me".

" It is news about your brother".

" Did he make it to Damascus?".

" Caiaphas told me he is now a follower of the Way".

In shock, she almost dropped her son. " That's impossible".

" He has started preaching that Yeshua is the promised Messiah".

" It must be a horrible rumor".

" Those traveling with him heard a voice".

" I will not believe it". She frowned at her husband. " What do we do now?".

" We wait".

research help: ' The Apostle's Sister' by Angela Hunt

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric