Priscilla and Aquila page 13

 Priscilla and Aquila page 13 by ric gustafson

Priscilla looked around the two story house. They had been in Corinth for the last sixteen weeks. Because of Claudius's edict, they had to leave Rome. Even though the house was smaller than the one they had in Rome, it met their needs. Aquila decided to use the ground floor for their shop.

One day, a short man with large dark eyes walked in.

" I look for Aquila of Pontus".

" My husband is not here right now". Priscilla smiled. " May I help you?".

The man grinned. " I am Paul of Tarsus".

Priscilla smiled. " I have heard of you".

" I did not know I was popular".

" I was told you are a Rabbi".

" I am".

" I also heard you love Yeshua".

" That is true".

research help: ' Daughter of Rome' by Tessa Afshar

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatitudes: the Pure of Heart

 Beatitudes: the Pure of Heart by ric gustafson

Those who follow Jesus are the temple of God. We have God's spirit in us. Do we see people with the right heart?. But things can get in our way seeing God in others. If our heart is not pure and full of sin, we cannot see others as God can. 

We all have a choice. It is about desire. Is it our own desires we crave?. Or do we crave God with a pure heart.  Desires are meant for our good. I pray that they are pure and good,

Praise God's name.

research help: ' Seven' by Jeff Cook

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

biblical questions: should we give God heartfelt worship?

 biblical questions: should we give God heartfelt worship? by ric gustafson

God gives us free will. We can choose to follow him or not. That relationship with God starts with a healthy fear and respect. To God, worship is important. You could go through the motions and yet your heart is not in it. It's easy in worship to get distracted. True worship can be a way of life. God wants our heartfelt worship. Let's give it to him. Praise God's name.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatitudes: the Mercy Giver

 Beatitudes: the Mercy Giver by ric gustafson

Two times people asked Jesus about receiving God's mercy. One was a legal scholar the other a rich ruler. Both asked him the same question?. What must I do to inherit eternal life?. What is required for God to show them mercy?. Both men were given much. Jesus told the rich ruler he lacked one thing. He was told to sell everything and then follow Jesus. The rich ruler walked away.

The legal scholar knew how to obtain God's mercy. He said to Jesus love God and love your neighbor. Jesus told him the Parable of the Good Samaritan. When asked at the end who in the story was the best neighbor the scholar replied the one who had mercy on him. Jesus told the scholar to go and do like wise.

God's mercy to us is that he sent his only Son to die on a cross for us. So that we have a chance to live with him forever. That is God's mercy. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Seven' by Jeff Cook

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

at the feet of Jesus: Wisdom

at the feet of Jesus: Wisdom by ric gustafson

As followers of Jesus, we want to sit at his feet. Our lack of wisdom keeps us humble. We want to be transformed. This process is called a relationship with Jesus. As we gain wisdom, our relationship with him will grow. 

Wisdom can come from personal experience. Personal experience can come from suffering and pain. Wisdom requires discipline, obedience and time. Wisdom teaches you the lesson before you make the mistake. God wants us to be wise and not foolish. 

There are two kinds of wisdom. There is earthly wisdom that brings regret and evil. Wisdom from heaven brings peace, mercy and good fruit. From God's Word, we can obtain heavenly wisdom. 

Praise Jesus's name. 

research help: ' The Divine Mentor' by Wayne Cordeiro

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

biblical questions: should we give God empty obedience?

 biblical questions: should we give God empty obedience? by ric gustafson

We can look like we are serving God 100 percent of the time. The question is are we?. We can pray daily. We can read our bible daily. We can faithfully attend church. Are we 100 percent faithfully doing these things or just going through the motions?. 

 Is our heart totally obedient or is it full of selfishness and hatred?. God wants us to repent and change our ways. God will restore us. Then our heart will be 100 percent obedient.

Praise God's name. 

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Priscilla and Aquila page 12

 Priscilla and Aquila page 12 by ric gustafson

Priscilla smiled when she saw Rufus and Mary come in and sit behind her. Trouble had started brewing at the synagogue between those who followed Yeshua and those who did not. 

Just then, a man walked in and sat down next to Priscilla. She did not recognize his face. He had a bulbous nose and thin lips.

Rufus could see the man pull out a short sword from underneath his cloak. " Watch out".

Priscilla turned and screamed.

Rufus pushed Priscilla to the floor. He lunged at the man. 

The man put his sword blade into Rufus's chest. Then the man got down on one knee and put his blade slightly into Priscilla's neck.

Just then, Aquila threw a projectile and hit the man in the temple.

The wounded man dropped the sword and ran.

Aquila touched Priscills's neck. " You are bleeding".

" He barely cut me". She touched her wound. " Thanks to you".

Aquila ran to Rufus. " He cut you too".

" Barely". Rufus examined his torso. " I'll be ok".

research help: ' Daughter of Rome' by Tessa Afshar

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric