Thursday Easter Week Four -- May 15
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Meditation
Thursday, Easter Week Five lessons dealt with trust in the call.
The Psalmist called out to God, whom he believes will deliver him. The New Testament lesson dealt with the prosecution of Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian church—the one Saul (later changed to St. Paul) watched being stoned, while he stood with the cloaks. Stephen, debated by leaders from Cyrene, Alexandria and Cilia, spoke with such wisdom that they could not match his arguments and so he was brought before the Sanhedrin (a judicial and ecclesiastical council of over 70 Jews) with false testimony, claiming that he spoke against Moses.
Witnesses declared that Stephen’s face before the judges appeared like an angel—transcendent and ethereal. Perhaps radiant and glowing. Not the appearance one expected of someone under indictment. But having received the call from God, Stephen, “a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
The Old Testament lesson in Genesis 12 recounted the call of Abram (later changed to Abraham), where God established a choice of Abram to be the patriarch of a people chosen to be blessed and protected in a unique way. The great words, known universally, “I will build a great nation from you. I will bless you and make your name famous. People will use your name to bless other people.” (ERV)
Out of the millions of people in the world. Out of the trillions of people over time, Go chose a man, Abram, who lived in Ur of the Chaldees (used to be a port on the Persian Gulf but now 150 miles/241 kilometers from the Sea and six miles/ten kilometers from the Euphrates River), and told him to go 800 miles/1300 kilometers in the Fertile Crescent arc from the Persian Gulf through Syria around to Canaan/Palestine.
In the military members moved rather often. Across the country. Across the world. Some dread the packing up of their household, knowing that things get broken in the shuffle. Lost during the transition. To say nothing of the uncertainty.
My mother traveled in 1921 from Texas to California, fording rivers without bridges, and celebrating the paved roads starting at the border of the Sunshine State.
I moved a dozen times before leaving high school. One of our moves took us across the U.S. on Route 66. We paid close attention to the gas gauge and the signs stating the miles before the next availability. Running out of gas or oil was brutal on the sun baked roads. I looked at some of the steep hills along that road and imagined wagon trains crossing them without the benefit of paved roads and rest stops.
Driving 3500 miles in an air conditioned V-8 engine car seemed daunting for my widowed mom, my sister and me.
Abram lived four thousand years ago. The roads weren’t paved. Restaurants and rest stops with refreshing water at the turn of a knob or lever were not available. Climbing hills and rocky paths must have been daunting for Abram, with all his family, servants and possessions. Yet, we don’t hear of any hesitation on Abram’s part.
He heard the call and believed the promises of God, and then took action.
God’s promise despite the odds came true. Abram’s descendants have become great and prolific. And best of all, Jesus came from Abram’s line to save the entire world—any who believe. God promises. God fulfills promises. Just as Abram, the Psalmist, and Stephen trusted in God’s promises, and they were fulfilled, so can we trust in God’s promises. Yes, Stephen was martyred, but his glory is in heaven. He was great as a descendant of Abram—the fulfillment of God’s promise. We are a part of the family of God because of them.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16;Genesis 12:1-3;Acts 6:8-15&version=NIV;ERV;GNT;NCV;KJV#cen-NIV-27110A (multiple versions)
Thursday, Easter Week Five
Psalm 31:1-5
Psalm 31:15-16
Genesis 12:1-3
Acts 6:8-15
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3045/5797590971_abd3064752_z_d.jpg "The Good Shepherd 136" by Waiting For The Word; flickr
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 12:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
12 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for your great promises that you made come true for Abram, despite incredible odds against it. We ask for your help that we might hear your call as clear as Abram did and answer it as faithfully as he did. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Thursday, Easter Week Five’s lesson shared the patriarchs that responded to the call of God from Abram, to the Psalmist to St. Stephen. When God called, they answered and the promised of God were fulfilled. Stephen stood up to the Romans and to the false leaders of the Jews, who created false testimony in order to ‘convict’ him in the Sanhedrin.
We are not promised that the road will be easy. We do know that God will work with us and fulfill promises.
When I was nine, I stood beside my mother after we had just buried my late father. I raised my eyes to hers and slipped my hand into her strong ones. “What are we going to do?”
“The Lord will provide.” She used Abraham’s words, and I have found that to be true throughout my years.
Our responsibility must be to answer the call and trust that God will keep the promises made.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Thursday, Easter Week Five lessons dealt with trust in the call.
The Psalmist called out to God, whom he believes will deliver him. The New Testament lesson dealt with the prosecution of Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian church—the one Saul (later changed to St. Paul) watched being stoned, while he stood with the cloaks. Stephen, debated by leaders from Cyrene, Alexandria and Cilia, spoke with such wisdom that they could not match his arguments and so he was brought before the Sanhedrin (a judicial and ecclesiastical council of over 70 Jews) with false testimony, claiming that he spoke against Moses.
Witnesses declared that Stephen’s face before the judges appeared like an angel—transcendent and ethereal. Perhaps radiant and glowing. Not the appearance one expected of someone under indictment. But having received the call from God, Stephen, “a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
The Old Testament lesson in Genesis 12 recounted the call of Abram (later changed to Abraham), where God established a choice of Abram to be the patriarch of a people chosen to be blessed and protected in a unique way. The great words, known universally, “I will build a great nation from you. I will bless you and make your name famous. People will use your name to bless other people.” (ERV)
Out of the millions of people in the world. Out of the trillions of people over time, Go chose a man, Abram, who lived in Ur of the Chaldees (used to be a port on the Persian Gulf but now 150 miles/241 kilometers from the Sea and six miles/ten kilometers from the Euphrates River), and told him to go 800 miles/1300 kilometers in the Fertile Crescent arc from the Persian Gulf through Syria around to Canaan/Palestine.
In the military members moved rather often. Across the country. Across the world. Some dread the packing up of their household, knowing that things get broken in the shuffle. Lost during the transition. To say nothing of the uncertainty.
My mother traveled in 1921 from Texas to California, fording rivers without bridges, and celebrating the paved roads starting at the border of the Sunshine State.
I moved a dozen times before leaving high school. One of our moves took us across the U.S. on Route 66. We paid close attention to the gas gauge and the signs stating the miles before the next availability. Running out of gas or oil was brutal on the sun baked roads. I looked at some of the steep hills along that road and imagined wagon trains crossing them without the benefit of paved roads and rest stops.
Driving 3500 miles in an air conditioned V-8 engine car seemed daunting for my widowed mom, my sister and me.
Abram lived four thousand years ago. The roads weren’t paved. Restaurants and rest stops with refreshing water at the turn of a knob or lever were not available. Climbing hills and rocky paths must have been daunting for Abram, with all his family, servants and possessions. Yet, we don’t hear of any hesitation on Abram’s part.
He heard the call and believed the promises of God, and then took action.
God’s promise despite the odds came true. Abram’s descendants have become great and prolific. And best of all, Jesus came from Abram’s line to save the entire world—any who believe. God promises. God fulfills promises. Just as Abram, the Psalmist, and Stephen trusted in God’s promises, and they were fulfilled, so can we trust in God’s promises. Yes, Stephen was martyred, but his glory is in heaven. He was great as a descendant of Abram—the fulfillment of God’s promise. We are a part of the family of God because of them.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16;Genesis 12:1-3;Acts 6:8-15&version=NIV;ERV;GNT;NCV;KJV#cen-NIV-27110A (multiple versions)
Thursday, Easter Week Five
Psalm 31:1-5
Psalm 31:15-16
Genesis 12:1-3
Acts 6:8-15
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3045/5797590971_abd3064752_z_d.jpg "The Good Shepherd 136" by Waiting For The Word; flickr
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 12:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
12 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for your great promises that you made come true for Abram, despite incredible odds against it. We ask for your help that we might hear your call as clear as Abram did and answer it as faithfully as he did. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Thursday, Easter Week Five’s lesson shared the patriarchs that responded to the call of God from Abram, to the Psalmist to St. Stephen. When God called, they answered and the promised of God were fulfilled. Stephen stood up to the Romans and to the false leaders of the Jews, who created false testimony in order to ‘convict’ him in the Sanhedrin.
We are not promised that the road will be easy. We do know that God will work with us and fulfill promises.
When I was nine, I stood beside my mother after we had just buried my late father. I raised my eyes to hers and slipped my hand into her strong ones. “What are we going to do?”
“The Lord will provide.” She used Abraham’s words, and I have found that to be true throughout my years.
Our responsibility must be to answer the call and trust that God will keep the promises made.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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