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Post by Cindy on Dec 14, 2016 12:11:24 GMT -5
I can totally relate....especially as I have never study the Word anywhere near like you....so wanting or thinking the Bible says something it does not is even easier when you are not really sure ( and have not compared scripture with scripture etc.
But yes, that is really interesting how most Christians are 'good' friends with unbelievers.
For example, I have heard this several times in my life.....it goes something like
It fine to believe in 'god' and read the 'bible.....so long as you are not 'fanatic!!!!
So yesterday, one of the tenants here that we are friendly with, was sort of complaining to me about his boss.
Of course, I stupidly asked what was the problem ( I know I encouraged gossip)
Anyway, he replied: well he drives me crazy!!! all he knows and all he can talk about is politics and/or Christianity.
My neighbor said he was fine with those topics.......to a degree, but he himself is not so limited, and thus his boss is a really bother to him.
I almost felt my neighbor was talking about me as well tho I do talk to him about the birds, garden, grandchildren ( he lives in the apt above our daughter and grandchildren etc.
But when he emails me something about politics I usually do manage to weave in something biblical ( for example if he sends me something about the New World Order....then I might mention how that reminds me that in the future the bible says there will be ..........and so on.
I too speak about gardens, the birds, the trees and flowers, and always God and His Word are part of what I think about when thinking about those things, and therefore I speak about Him when I speak aloud to someone else of those things. Whether the topic is TV, radio, politics, the outdoors, sports, muslims, immigration, religion, children, coffee, or whatever, it always brings to mind something of the Lord and therefore I can weave Him and His Word into everything I speak about. I don't necessarily do it on purpose, it's just how I think, therefore it's how I speak. I think they way I write things here on FH, so I'm sure you know what I mean. The more you know the Lord and His Word, the more it permeates your thinking about everything and that's how we have the mind of Christ and how we think biblically.
It's funny cause I was thinking about the verse we've talked about so often - about taking our thoughts captive and realized that I don't remember if I ever showed how it goes with the rest of the verse and what it's saying in context. I think I have, but in a round about way. It's really neat though because it shows that our weapon, which is God's Word has divine power. It has to since it's what changes us lol. But here it's showing that it has divine power that will breakdown the strongholds that Satan, our flesh and the world have built up in our minds if we use it to break down the arguments and ideas that the world, Satan and our flesh have brainwashed us to think about. It also shows us how those things are all against the true knowledge of God. So the more our knowledge of God grows as we study His Word with Him and reflect on it during the day, the more we are able to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to God by replacing them with His Truth. And the more that happens, the more we think biblically, and have a biblical worldview, and the more we begin to think the way God intended us to. We become truly wise for our wisdom began with the fear of the Lord.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)
The formidable spiritual strongholds manned by the forces of hell can be demolished only by spiritual weapons wielded by godly believers—singularly the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17), since only the truth of God’s Word can defeat satanic falsehoods. This is the true spiritual warfare. Believers are not instructed in the NT to assault demons or Satan (see note on Jude 9), but to assault error with the truth. That is our battle (cf. Jn 17:17; Heb 4:12). The MacArthur study Bible
So many things in our evil society attempt to capture our attention: movies, television, books, music, clothing, advertisements, and now the Internet—all designed to capture the emotions. For example, advertising executives know that buying is ultimately an emotional decision. Few people know or even care about the mechanics of the car being advertised, yet they are impressed if it looks like a race car, or if a pretty girl is behind the wheel, or if other kinds of emotional bait are included in the ad. We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills. We need to seek God’s will by meditating on His Word and letting His will become ours. An unprotected, uncontrolled, and unyielded mind is going to be filled with evil desires that will result in evil deeds. We must control how our emotions and minds respond to the tempting bait they encounter. Truth for today
I would be so very honored if someone called me a fanatic..... hey, maybe someone has but I just don't know it cause they said it to someone else! I sure hope so, but I'd love to find out that others thought I was a fanatic. Then I'd know for sure I was doing something right!
12/13/16
Romans 16: 1-15
(sorry that was a typo the other day :-(
Personal Greetings
What is interesting is how much praise Paul gives them, including several woman ( unlike the woman's lib insistence that Paul was a chauvinist)
I found it interesting that:
v.7 "...Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[ the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was"
The application for me is to help as much as possible those brothers and sisters in the Lord as I can.
“Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.” (Romans 16:10)
The other thing I noticed is that the verses that speak of people, (which were actually ALL women) working, all showed that the people didn't just work, but worked very hard - that they went above and beyond the call of duty, as we might say now. Like here: “Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.” (Romans 16:6) “Worked hard” connotes hard labor to the point of exhaustion.  It has the same meaning here: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12) Interestingly four women were said to have “worked hard.”
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399 
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Post by fearnot on Dec 14, 2016 15:23:08 GMT -5
Thank you always for your added deeper insights, they are always so appreciated by me and are so helpful and interesting :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 14, 2016 15:42:51 GMT -5
12/13/16
Romans 16:16-27
I am pretty sure you covered v. 16 previously. the one thing I remember is the greeting each other:
v. 16 "Greet one another with a holy kiss".
Is not something we today necessarily should do. Our culture might be shocked if everybody started kissing each other...Holy kiss or not.
But the idea of loving our brothers and sisters in a Holy way, maybe is more the point?
v. 17 is a warning that seems related to what you have been talking about as to what went on in the apologetic forum....strife and divisions are to be kept away from ...
that is different then someone truly wanting to understand and asks a question
My application is in v. 19 "...... be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil."
Truly hard in this day and age where almost ( not all but most) 'news' which is plentiful ...is bad at best and often evil ( and described in detail).
Which is why I think you have been quietly encouraging me away from 'the world'....not to be completely unaware of what is going on....but not to be engrossed in all the gory details.
Paul talks about some of the other Christians as this passage continues.
He ends with this:
v. 25 "Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Maybe you might comment a little on it?
I think the "him who is able to establish you" would be God.
and
The "hidden mystery" is that the
"he Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith"
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Post by Cindy on Dec 15, 2016 13:37:05 GMT -5
Thank you always for your added deeper insights, they are always so appreciated by me and are so helpful and interesting :-)
12/13/16
Romans 16:16-27
I am pretty sure you covered v. 16 previously. the one thing I remember is the greeting each other:
v. 16 "Greet one another with a holy kiss".
Is not something we today necessarily should do. Our culture might be shocked if everybody started kissing each other...Holy kiss or not.
But the idea of loving our brothers and sisters in a Holy way, maybe is more the point?
v. 17 is a warning that seems related to what you have been talking about as to what went on in the apologetic forum....strife and divisions are to be kept away from ...
that is different then someone truly wanting to understand and asks a question
My application is in v. 19 "...... be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil."
Truly hard in this day and age where almost ( not all but most) 'news' which is plentiful ...is bad at best and often evil ( and described in detail).
Which is why I think you have been quietly encouraging me away from 'the world'....not to be completely unaware of what is going on....but not to be engrossed in all the gory details.
Paul talks about some of the other Christians as this passage continues.
He ends with this:
v. 25 "Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Maybe you might comment a little on it?
I think the "him who is able to establish you" would be God.
and
The "hidden mystery" is that the
"he Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith"
Yep, that's the idea. God wants us to control what we put in our minds. If we fill them with garbage then that's what will control us. Instead we should fill them with things that meet the standards of Phil 4:8.
“Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (Romans 16:25–27)
Yes, it is God who establishes us, not we ourselves, and He does so through His Truth about salvation. “The mystery” has to do with God’s program of uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in the one body, the church. It was because of this message that the Judaizers persecuted Paul because they wanted to keep their Jewish traditions etc. Paul revealed the truth about what the OT taught regarding Jesus and salvation so that even we gentiles could be saved, which was what God had commanded him to do. Notice that Paul doesn't say it's so we might believe, but rather so we "might believe and obey" Him!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 15, 2016 17:04:35 GMT -5
12/15/16
Acts I: 1-11
For some unknown reason to me I never have thought of Acts as one of my 'favorite' books.....in fact, I without even thinking about it skipped right over it and went directly to Romans ( one of my favorites LOL)
soooo I decided not to jump ahead but in fact, to read it now and I have a feeling with your support and encouragement and commentaries I might find a lot of joy reading it this time around.
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
I can see how someone not reading carefully could get to verse 8 and think: OK now we are talking.....the Holy Spirit is going to give 'power' !!
But really I think it means not like some wizzard ( roll eyes) but rather to spread the gospel.
v. 8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Oh and v. 7 is pretty important too ( of course ALL of God's words are)!!!
v.7 "He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
So much for date setting!!
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Post by Cindy on Dec 16, 2016 12:47:32 GMT -5
12/15/16
Acts I: 1-11
For some unknown reason to me I never have thought of Acts as one of my 'favorite' books.....in fact, I without even thinking about it skipped right over it and went directly to Romans ( one of my favorites LOL)
soooo I decided not to jump ahead but in fact, to read it now and I have a feeling with your support and encouragement and commentaries I might find a lot of joy reading it this time around.
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
I can see how someone not reading carefully could get to verse 8 and think: OK now we are talking.....the Holy Spirit is going to give 'power' !!
But really I think it means not like some wizzard ( roll eyes) but rather to spread the gospel.
v. 8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Oh and v. 7 is pretty important too ( of course ALL of God's words are)!!!
v.7 "He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
So much for date setting!!
As far as concerning "power" goes, you've touched on one of my favorite subjects. Remember what Jesus said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matt. 28:18–19). I love what this book says about it: I know of nothing more comforting and encouraging than that wonderful, blessed statement. This world is not in the hands of the politicians; it is in the hands of this living Jesus, this risen Christ. This is the message: God the eternal Father, the Creator, the Owner of all things, has handed over the business of this world and its redemption to His Son. And He has “all power … in heaven and in earth.” Christianity—The Only Hope. In . Vol. 1: Authentic Christianity. Studies in the Book of Acts Jesus has "all power" and He shares that power with us, just as He shares all of His inheritance with us. While the power He gives us most certainly does include power for witnessing and sharing the gospel, it goes far beyond that. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,” (Ephesians 1:18–20) That power is given to all believers and is what enables us to live a life of righteousness and truth, to know His Word and speak the truth in love, and so much more! It even includes the power to do miracles when it is God's Will. It is His power that strengthens us when we're weak and helps us understand and know the love of God. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20) We're even told to be strong in His power! “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) And it is that same power that will one day transform our bodies into new incorruptible bodies! It's what helps us endure when going through trials: “being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:11–12) As we're told, the Lord didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and self discipline. It's His power that removes the fear as we grow and grows us in love and self discipline. It's this power that Paul is talking about after he's told us about the characteristics of the people who are currently living today and says about them: “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:5) In other words, they may be able to speak like a christian but they can't live the life of a Christian because they don't have His power. It's this power that's spoken of in the lives of the saints in the Hall of faith in Hebrews ll. It's the power that's in our every prayer, whether we realize it or not. And it's the power of God that keeps us saved. We're also told: “because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5) “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Finally, to summarize it all, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)
Yes, not only "date setting" as far as it relates to the rapture etc. but also simply states that we are not to know the future. That's not something that God wants us to know. If He did, He would have told us. The only "future" we're to be concerned with is what He has revealed in His Word, and it's the only future we can count on.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 16, 2016 13:22:42 GMT -5
Well WOW That was great Cindy!!!
I just knew I would get a different perspective on Acts going over it with you :-) :-)
By the way, Leonard says its one of His favorites too!
But I for sure did not know all the many ramifications of 'power'....thank you.
And also about not knowing the 'future' ( well other than what He has told us in His Word.... right? ( like some day there will be a rapture, and a 1000 year reign of Jesus etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 16, 2016 13:52:37 GMT -5
12/16/16
Acts:1: 12-26
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
In verse 12, I was curious because the Mount of Olives is called a 'hill' and
yet a mount.....
so I looked up its height (2,710 feet) ( anything up to a 1000 feet is a hill)
and I looked up how far is a Sabbath day’s walk....about 1/2 a mile give or take.
So the part about Judas, has several elements in it that those just itching to prove the Bible wrong love to 'try' to use to prove errors in the Bible.
( i.e. did Judas hang himself or did he fall....I would say both happened)
and did he buy the field or did the priests
( both because the priests could not use 'blood money') but maybe you want to expand and clarify that?
But in any case, the application for me, is no matter how at first it might seem at 'first glance' that there is an error in the Bible, I must always remind myself....that is absolutely positively NOT True!!!
There is an answer!!!!!
no... I may not find it in my lifetime ( tho so far I have yet to ever hear any that so concerned me...I lost faith)
but even IF there were.....and I didn't find the solution before I died...I KNOW there IS an answer!!! I can trust God!!!
I will never trust man over God!
This is not to say there were not a few things I wondered about, but God has always graciously provided someone who showed to me that without a doubt the error was never true and the solution was always there!
So much so that I am now convicted there is in fact NO errors in the Bible and there is always an answer ( tho I may not find it in this life time....but so far nothing has come close to that....
some things I wondered about and were explained.....so that I am convicted beyond a doubt!!!
I kind of wondered since Justus was not chosen if he felt badly?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 17, 2016 14:09:09 GMT -5
12/17/16
Acts 2:1-13
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
This is pretty amazing!
The problem is I think is that there are some folk who use this for all manner of crazy stuff..
but the scripture make the purpose of the languages was to declaring the wonders of God...
NOT to be used like the oracles of Delphi,
or some other magic etc.
Another interesting thing is the sound which accompanied the fire was so loud that others in the city heard it and came.
The application for me is to not use a miraculous gift from the Lord in some new age, 'spiritual' or any other way, than the way the Lord intended.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 18, 2016 9:59:30 GMT -5
Well WOW That was great Cindy!!!
I just knew I would get a different perspective on Acts going over it with you :-) :-)
By the way, Leonard says its one of His favorites too!
But I for sure did not know all the many ramifications of 'power'....thank you.
And also about not knowing the 'future' ( well other than what He has told us in His Word.... right? ( like some day there will be a rapture, and a 1000 year reign of Jesus etc.
I'm glad it's helped you to view it differently hon. And yes, that's exactly right about the future...God tells us what our eventual future will be, and that's all He wants us to know and dwell on. I want to post this real quick so I won't forget. You've been doing great about remembering to find an application to what you've studied with the Lord each day. Now what I'd like you to do from here on out is to continue to do that, but to also remember to ask yourself how you can apply your application throughout that day, and ask the Lord to show you opportunities to apply it that day. Then, when you write your post here, and tell what the application is, also add to your post how you applied it to your life that day.
For example you wrote the other day that: My application is in v. 19 "...... be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." From now on, after you write that, show how you applied it that day. It may be that you chose not to listen to someone tell you about how awful someone else was, and instead mentioned to the person gossiping that you knew they'd had a hard life and hoped that you'd someday be able to show them how to find peace in Christ, or whatever.... You may find that you discover more about that application 1 or 2 days later instead of on the day you chose it. That's fine too, go ahead and post what the Lord enabled you to do concerning the application even if it is a couple of days later. I'm not saying to skip showing it on the same day, but only that if He continues to bring it to your mind, then continue to show it in your posts, along with whatever new application you've been given. See what I mean?
The reason for this is to not only force us to use what the Lord has shown us in specific ways, but also to force us to really think about what we've learned from Him that day, and seek His help to obey Him. OK?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 18, 2016 11:21:50 GMT -5
Excellent idea!!! Thank you.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 18, 2016 11:41:35 GMT -5
12/18/16
Acts 2:14-21
Peter Addresses the Crowd
It seems to me that this passage needs to be really understood correctly or it could be used incorrectly:
"Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
our young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams."
There are people today who claim they are receiving 'new prophesy'
and
others are big into dreams and dream interruption ( like studying Edgar Casey etc.
It seems like this first group prophesying are not necessarily believers? because God says all people
but then God says:
"Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy."
Also it is in the 'last days' this will happen along with cosmic signs...before Jesus returns.
This is a bit hard to find an application, other than to be careful, to find the truth of Scripture and not to misuse the Bible for personal gain, power, fame, as a 'prophet' nor get all involved in the meaning of my dreams as something profoundly spiritual.
I tend to think of them more often as evil rather than a word from the Lord but I am thinking that is not right either?
Waiting for your comments thank you ahead of time.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 19, 2016 13:20:00 GMT -5
Well WOW That was great Cindy!!!
I just knew I would get a different perspective on Acts going over it with you :-) :-)
By the way, Leonard says its one of His favorites too!
But I for sure did not know all the many ramifications of 'power'....thank you.
And also about not knowing the 'future' ( well other than what He has told us in His Word.... right? ( like some day there will be a rapture, and a 1000 year reign of Jesus etc.12/16/16
Acts:1: 12-26
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
In verse 12, I was curious because the Mount of Olives is called a 'hill' and
yet a mount.....
so I looked up its height (2,710 feet) ( anything up to a 1000 feet is a hill)
and I looked up how far is a Sabbath day’s walk....about 1/2 a mile give or take.
So the part about Judas, has several elements in it that those just itching to prove the Bible wrong love to 'try' to use to prove errors in the Bible.
( i.e. did Judas hang himself or did he fall....I would say both happened)
and did he buy the field or did the priests
( both because the priests could not use 'blood money') but maybe you want to expand and clarify that?
But in any case, the application for me, is no matter how at first it might seem at 'first glance' that there is an error in the Bible, I must always remind myself....that is absolutely positively NOT True!!!
There is an answer!!!!!
no... I may not find it in my lifetime ( tho so far I have yet to ever hear any that so concerned me...I lost faith)
but even IF there were.....and I didn't find the solution before I died...I KNOW there IS an answer!!! I can trust God!!!
I will never trust man over God!
This is not to say there were not a few things I wondered about, but God has always graciously provided someone who showed to me that without a doubt the error was never true and the solution was always there!
So much so that I am now convicted there is in fact NO errors in the Bible and there is always an answer ( tho I may not find it in this life time....but so far nothing has come close to that....
some things I wondered about and were explained.....so that I am convicted beyond a doubt!!!
I kind of wondered since Justus was not chosen if he felt badly?
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”” (Matthew 27:3–10)
Judas’ Suicide (Matt 27:3–10; Acts 1:18–19) This section records the Jewish leaders’ acknowledgment of guilt for Jesus’ execution. Judas, too, watched the proceedings against his erstwhile Teacher. The sight of that just Man being abused and maliciously maligned broke through his hardened conscience at some time during that night, and he recognized what Jesus’ captors refused to allow themselves to recognize—that Jesus was truly innocent (Matt 27:4). In deepest disgust at what he had done, he returned the price he had been paid for his part in this dastardly plot, but his remorse was not reflected by the nation’s leaders as their brusque, supercilious reply in Matt 27:4 indicates. Judas showed human remorse but not spiritual repentance.“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.” (Matthew 27:3) was remorseful = ‘to regret, to be sorry, to change one’s mind.’ Not the usual word for ‘repent’; the NT only uses it 6 times, never for a change of heart, but only for a change of mind; it is intellectual, not spiritual. The callous response Judas got from the chief priests is salutary in its warning to Christians to avoid compacts in religious matters with the world. These will only serve the world. The sanctuary was out of bounds to everybody but priests, so Matthew gives a picture, not of Judas throwing the money on the floor, but rather of him standing at the steps leading to the Holy Place and hurling the money into the Holy Place, which is where Zacharaias had seen the vision which announced the birth of John the Baptist. So the scene returns full cycle to the beginning of the gospel. The price Judas had been paid precisely fulfilled the prophecy of Zech 11:12, which these leaders selectively chose to ignore, and yet, ironically, could remember the details of Deut 23:18 which prohibits the donation of blood money to the temple. By recognizing the earlier Scripture, they tacitly admitted knowledge that their action was an abomination in the sight of the Lord. Acts fills in some details of Judas’ macabre suicide, for it suggests that he was on the tree long enough to become bloated with gas (a frequent development in corpses left in the sun) and so burst when his body was dropped to the ground. The Greek text of Acts allows that Judas’ body may simply have burst from becoming bloated, as ‘headlong’ can be rendered ‘bloated.’ The apparent discrepancy between Matthew and Acts is best resolved by understanding that Judas hanged himself, and his corpse hung on the tree long enough to become bloated and burst before it was taken down. It is not surprising that his corpse went unnoticed for a while; Jerusalem was far too engrossed in watching its Savior die that day than to have been around the Potter’s Field. The Jewish concern for the needs of strangers (Matthew) was grossly hypocritical, for that same day, they had viciously condemned their innocent Messiah to death. Unregenerate man is far from logical when he yields to his sin nature. The Life of Christ
Acts 1:18 does not say that Judas committed suicide in the field that the priests bought with the money. That act would have defiled the land and the priests would never have purchased it. Matthew 27:7 states that the priests bought a field; Acts 1:18 states that the money Judas acquired was used to buy it. Judas could not have purchased a field with that money because he gave the money back to the priests. The priests called the cemetery “the field of blood” because it was purchased with “blood money.” Judas’ suicide added more “blood” to the name, since it was he who contributed the money. Peter’s account of the purchase of the land and the death of Judas appears to contradict the record in Matthew 27:3–10; but actually it complements it. Judas did not buy the field personally, but since it was his money that paid for it, in that sense, he was the buyer. And, since the thirty pieces of silver were considered “blood money,” the field was called “the field of blood” (Matt. 27:8). It was not Judas’ blood that gave the field its name, for the Jews would not use as a sacred cemetery a place that had been defiled by a suicide. Judas hanged himself, and apparently the rope broke and his body (possibly already distended) burst open when it hit the ground. The Bible exposition commentary
Matthew’s Gospel reports that Judas hanged himself. When the accounts of Matthew and Acts are compared, it is clear that after he hanged himself, Judas’ body later fell and “he burst open.” Believer’s Study Bible
Judas’s death in Acts—his falling headfirst and bursting open—pictured his hanging (Mt 27:5). The Apologetics Study Bible
Apparently the tree on which Judas chose to hang himself (Mt 27:5) overlooked a cliff. Likely, the rope or branch broke (or the knot slipped) and his body was shattered on the rocks below. The MacArthur study Bible
The account of Judas’ violent end in Acts 1:18 seems to contradict Matthew 27:5, which starkly says he “hanged himself.” One explanation is that Judas’ intestines quickly became swollen and distended after he hanged himself, so he burst open. Another explanation, more probable, is that Judas hanged himself over a cliff and the rope or branch of the tree he was using broke. When he fell to the rocks below, he “burst open.” The Bible knowledge commentary
Matthew 27:3-10 Judas did not repent of his sins. Remorse & regret are not the same as repentance. Of course, Judas had yielded himself to the power of Satan & it was now too late. But why suicide? Why not just flee the country & make the best of it? Because Satan is a murderer & a destroyer. He comes first as the deceiving serpent (“You can get away with this!”) but then turns into the destroying lion (1 Pet 5:8). He uses despair & guilt to drive people to self-destruction. He preys upon the hopeless & the helpless, & he convinces them that there is no hope or help. Their best solution is to destroy themselves. Judas is certainly a witness to the Person of Jesus Christ. If there had ever been anything questionable about our Lord’s life or ministry, Judas would have known about it & could have used it to oppose Jesus. Instead, Judas confesses that Jesus was innocent. Had Jesus been other than what He claimed to be, the Jewish leaders would not have had to pay false witnesses at the trial. Judas is also a warning against allowing sin to grow in our lives. Sin comes to us as a guest, then becomes a friend, and then becomes a master. Sin grows gradually, but it must be dealt with drastically. Judas bears witness to the strength of the church. Even though there was a traitor in the midst of the disciple band, he was not able to hinder or destroy the work of God. Judas Iscariot is an example of what can happen when people half-heartedly follow Christ & aren't fully trusting Him. I fear that our churches may contain many who are professed Christians but who've never been born again. Judas wasn't committing gross public sins. I'm sure he was highly respected by his fellow apostles & by those who followed Jesus. But Judas was a counterfeit; his ministry was only a cover for his sins. Like the others, Judas performed miracles & preached sermons; yet he died and went to hell. Prayer: Basic Training
Jesus clearly stated that Judas was not a hero, but a devil (John 6:70), & that, though the prophecies would be fulfilled, Judas would still be guilty of deliberate sin (Matt. 26:24). His love of money & probably selfish desire to be a leader in an earthly kingdom, kept him in the band of disciples, but his heart was never with Christ. He said, “I have sinned” (Matthew 27:4) because he had been caught in the act, but he did not evidence sincere repentance. He had rejected the truth & believed a lie, & Satan had taken possession of him. Judas took his own life because Satan is a murderer (John 8:44). Judas had to confess that Christ was innocent (v. 4). He would not call Him “Lord” (Matthew 26:25 is “Rabbi”), but one day he will be forced to. Wiersbe’s expository outlines
The differences between Matthew’s and Luke’s (Acts 1:18–19) accounts of the death of Judas and the use of the blood money are not as imposing as some suggest. Both Matthew and Luke agreed that a field was purchased with Judas’s money (though only Matthew mentioned that the priests purchased the field as agents of Judas), and both agreed that the field subsequently became known as the Blood Field. Luke was ambiguous as to why the field was so named; Acts 1:19 says, “This became known to all,” can be read as referring to the purchase of the field with the tainted money (Acts 1:18) rather than to the manner of Judas’s death. Matthew and Luke must be taken to supplement one another on the manner of Judas’s death. The simplest harmony is that Judas hanged himself above a precipice but that the rope or support broke, causing him to fall. The topography of Jerusalem easily lends itself to this scenario. Matthew 27:9–10: Most of this quote is from Zechariah 11:12–13, but it also contains allusions to Jeremiah 19:1–13. Both Zechariah and Jeremiah were part of a tradition within the OT dealing with the apostasy of Israel & its rejection of God’s leadership. These themes come to fulfillment in Jesus’ rejection by the Jewish leadership & more specifically in the details of the blood price of God’s shepherd (see note on Mt 26:31) & the purchase of the potter’s field. Jeremiah is cited as the prophet most relevant to Matthew’s point (see note on Mt 2:15). That the fit between the quote & the event is rough argues that Matthew did not invent the event to “fulfill” a prophecy. The Apologetics Study Bible
Matthew sees a fulfilment of Zech 11:13. Matt 27:9 attributes the prophecy to Jeremiah, probably because the events reflect both the Zechariah allusion of thirty pieces of silver being thrown down in the house of the Lord & the references in Jer 19 to the shedding of innocent blood & the breaking of the potter’s flask. Matthew is not seeing here simply the fulfilment of individual prophecies, but rather the development of ‘OT patterns’ of apostasy & rejection which have now culminated in the events around the trial of Jesus. Opening up Matthew
I agree, we should never trust man over God, and yet we do it every single day - at least I do, even though I don't want to. It's just automatic. We trust that the doctor will give us what we need to get well, that our employer will pay us what he owes us each week, that the government will send our check, that we can buy what we need at the store, that no one can and we rarely even think about God concerning any of those things or many others. We trust ourselves to get done what needs doing each day, to feed the cats, clean the house, or work in the garden or whatever it is that we want to do. We trust our alarm clock to wake us when we want to wake up and we trust that we will have lights and heat or cool air when we want them. We trust ourselves to know what we want and what we need, who do vote for, how to make the people we care about happy, and what we're going to do tomorrow -again, without even considering God for the most part. Even when we do consider God, we often trust ourselves to know what we should pray for and even how God should answer our prayers. And if they're answered any other way, we usually either assume that God ignored us or didn't answer us; or if we're exceptionally truthful, that He made a mistake because we knew what that person really needed and they didn't get it. So while I agree with you 1000% that we should not trust anyone or anything over God, I find that it's something that I constantly have to take my thoughts captive about.
About Justus, there is no indication that either man was present when they were making their decision and praying. I seriously doubt if they would have put the men into that sort of situation unless they also had another position that they intended to give to the other man. Since nothing is said about that, either here or elsewhere, and since Justus is not mentioned again, it seems most likely that they were not present. (by the way, you will find the name Justus two other times in the NT, both of those men however were different men from the one spoken of here) .
12/17/16
Acts 2:1-13
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
This is pretty amazing!
The problem is I think is that there are some folk who use this for all manner of crazy stuff..
but the scripture make the purpose of the languages was to declaring the wonders of God...
NOT to be used like the oracles of Delphi,
or some other magic etc.
Another interesting thing is the sound which accompanied the fire was so loud that others in the city heard it and came.
The application for me is to not use a miraculous gift from the Lord in some new age, 'spiritual' or any other way, than the way the Lord intended.
You're application is interesting, but I'm wondering why you chose to limit it to a miraculous gift? Every talent and ability we have, whether it's a small talent or ability or a really major one, is given to us by God. Even our intelligence, or lack of it, is given us by God. I would suggest that the better application would be to never use anything the Lord has given us in any way other than how He tells us to in His Word, and always to glorify Him.
Well WOW That was great Cindy!!!
I just knew I would get a different perspective on Acts going over it with you :-) :-)
By the way, Leonard says its one of His favorites too!
But I for sure did not know all the many ramifications of 'power'....thank you.
And also about not knowing the 'future' ( well other than what He has told us in His Word.... right? ( like some day there will be a rapture, and a 1000 year reign of Jesus etc.
I'm glad it's helped you to view it differently hon. And yes, that's exactly right about the future...God tells us what our eventual future will be, and that's all He wants us to know and dwell on. I want to post this real quick so I won't forget. You've been doing great about remembering to find an application to what you've studied with the Lord each day. Now what I'd like you to do from here on out is to continue to do that, but to also remember to ask yourself how you can apply your application throughout that day, and ask the Lord to show you opportunities to apply it that day. Then, when you write your post here, and tell what the application is, also add to your post how you applied it to your life that day.
For example you wrote the other day that: My application is in v. 19 "...... be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." From now on, after you write that, show how you applied it that day. It may be that you chose not to listen to someone tell you about how awful someone else was, and instead mentioned to the person gossiping that you knew they'd had a hard life and hoped that you'd someday be able to show them how to find peace in Christ, or whatever.... You may find that you discover more about that application 1 or 2 days later instead of on the day you chose it. That's fine too, go ahead and post what the Lord enabled you to do concerning the application even if it is a couple of days later. I'm not saying to skip showing it on the same day, but only that if He continues to bring it to your mind, then continue to show it in your posts, along with whatever new application you've been given. See what I mean?
The reason for this is to not only force us to use what the Lord has shown us in specific ways, but also to force us to really think about what we've learned from Him that day, and seek His help to obey Him. OK?
Excellent idea!!! Thank you. 12/18/16
Acts 2:14-21
Peter Addresses the Crowd
It seems to me that this passage needs to be really understood correctly or it could be used incorrectly:
"Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
our young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams."
There are people today who claim they are receiving 'new prophesy'
and
others are big into dreams and dream interruption ( like studying Edgar Casey etc.
It seems like this first group prophesying are not necessarily believers? because God says all people
but then God says:
"Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy."
Also it is in the 'last days' this will happen along with cosmic signs...before Jesus returns.
This is a bit hard to find an application, other than to be careful, to find the truth of Scripture and not to misuse the Bible for personal gain, power, fame, as a 'prophet' nor get all involved in the meaning of my dreams as something profoundly spiritual.
I tend to think of them more often as evil rather than a word from the Lord but I am thinking that is not right either?
Waiting for your comments thank you ahead of time.
If we actually think about it, we'll realize that God rarely gave anyone dreams or visions. We think of it as something that happens all the time, but in reality the Bible covers about 4000 years. So when you realize that, you then see that this wasn't something that happened every day.
““ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.” (Acts 2:17–19)
“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Acts 2:20–21)
Peter quoted these scriptures to show what was happening then to them when they spoke in tongues. Like a great many prophecies, these too had more than one fulfillment. The time at Pentecost was not a complete fulfillment but only more like a preview. (Remember, Peter and the other disciples still thought that the Kingdom would begin at any moment) People misinterpret these verses constantly today, mainly because they're so very determined to have a supernatural "experience" to tell about. So they carefully write down their dreams, and think every thought they have is a prophecy of some kind. There are now even schools to supposedly teach people how to be a prophet!  The scriptures Peter quoted however, will not be fulfilled until toward the end of the tribulation period and when the Millennial kingdom is ready to be ushered in by our Lord. It is then that ALL God's people (as they will be the only ones left alive) will receive His Spirit and do these things. Remember, Peter is speaking to Jews here. They had all come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Peter told them that they were in the last days - and we have been in these last days, or end times, ever since. Peter is telling them that during these last days, God will pour out His Spirit on His people and they will have these dreams and prophecy etc. This will be God's way of intervening in their lives in order to get them saved. They will no longer be blind to God's Word and His Ways, and these dreams and visions and prophecies will show them that Jesus was and is still their Messiah and may even help save their lives as well as their souls. (of some of them anyway) The end result of this will be that at the very end of the tribulation, ALL Israel will be saved! I don't mean to imply that only Jews will have this happen to them, but I think it will probably happen to a majority of Jews at first, but also some Gentiles too and more of them the closer the end of the tribulation comes, so that by the time it's time to start the Millennial Kingdom, all of God's children will have the Spirit of course and all will have the ability to do these things, since only those who are saved will be able to enter the Millennial Kingdom.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 19, 2016 16:33:18 GMT -5
Acts 2 22-32
This passage talks about how David was a prophet and knew that God had promised him that He ( God) would place one of his descendants on his throne. v. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. v. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life..."
An super uplifting verse for me is the one that states that it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him ( Jesus).
And the application for me is to remember that when I start to despair about death that Jesus will not allow death to keep me either.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 20, 2016 10:01:00 GMT -5
Acts 2 22-32
This passage talks about how David was a prophet and knew that God had promised him that He ( God) would place one of his descendants on his throne. v. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. v. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life..."
An super uplifting verse for me is the one that states that it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him ( Jesus).
And the application for me is to remember that when I start to despair about death that Jesus will not allow death to keep me either.
“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24)
The word translated “agony” means “birth pangs,” suggesting that the tomb was a “womb” out of which Jesus was “born” in Resurrection glory. It makes me think of the birth pains (labor pains) of Israel during the tribulation in which at the end they will be born into a new life with a heart for God never sinning against Him again! Again it just goes to show how different God's view is from the worlds view of things.
OK, where's the part about how you applied this during the day?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 20, 2016 13:57:06 GMT -5
I did in fact have one of two death fears yesterday ( sometimes, due to the sleep apnea, or the bronchiectasis or just plain fear raising up.....
for example in the afternoon, I took a short nap and woke up with the dread and fear of death hanging onto me.....
So I immediately recalled that verse:
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:24
But then, I reminded myself that as His child that meant Jesus would not leave me ( my spirit) in the grave either and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Then I prayed to Jesus about it....unfortunately some was grumbling....
I told Him I was so sorry I doubted Him,
and
that I was soooo tired of fear of dying attacking me....
I just wanted to be free of the fear,
and that I knew you had encouraged me to apply the scripture to renew my mind when the world's fears etc came,
and
to replace it with His Word.....which was what I was doing.
And I thanked me because the fear was dissipating....
But Then... I grumbled again and just had to say, that I didn't want it to ever return again....
I just wanted to totally trust in Him...couldn't He just remove it forever?
Then, I said, but not my will but thine.
and I got up.
That was one example of using the application yesterday....and in fact, I used it last night twice!!! Because I woke of from sleeping
it took me a little while to remember...what did I read yesterday and said was the application?
Oh yeah!.....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 20, 2016 14:08:27 GMT -5
12/20/16
Acts 2: 25-33
Tho the first verses are prophecy about Jesus (yes?)
Nevertheless, they apply to my 'death' fear ( or shall I say 'birth' fear)
So when fear attacks me I need to consider these verses also:
25 I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead..."
I need to remember that the Lord is always before me
and
Not be shaken
rather...
I can rest in Hope
because...
Jesus will NOT ABANDON me.....to the realm of the dead!!!
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Post by evafromgreece on Dec 20, 2016 17:09:04 GMT -5
Hey guys! I finally have internet connection...
I will do a summary of what has happened and tomorrow I will write details :)
I got a job :) Again in "Public", the same company I was working in Rhodes. I didnt expect this but the store is much better, and until now everything seems ok :) No more bullying from the manager. They all seem really kind to me. Also I got congatulations from the company for the good work, and that made me really happy :)
God has really blessed me :)
Unfortunatelly due to the delay in finding a job I run out of money and I havent found my home yet. I should the sooner as possible, because the store is really far from whre I stay, 1 hour to go, and 1 hour to return with the bus.
Also, this year I cannot send you my Greek christmas gifts that I was really excited about to know how you liked them :) So be patient for next year :P
So good night for now, its 00:10 here in Greece, I will write you more tomorrow :)
I missed you both <3 I love you <3
Yeah!! Now I have internet connection !!!!
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Post by Cindy on Dec 21, 2016 10:42:19 GMT -5
I did in fact have one of two death fears yesterday ( sometimes, due to the sleep apnea, or the bronchiectasis or just plain fear raising up.....
for example in the afternoon, I took a short nap and woke up with the dread and fear of death hanging onto me.....
So I immediately recalled that verse:
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:24
But then, I reminded myself that as His child that meant Jesus would not leave me ( my spirit) in the grave either and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Then I prayed to Jesus about it....unfortunately some was grumbling....
I told Him I was so sorry I doubted Him,
and
that I was soooo tired of fear of dying attacking me....
I just wanted to be free of the fear,
and that I knew you had encouraged me to apply the scripture to renew my mind when the world's fears etc came,
and
to replace it with His Word.....which was what I was doing.
And I thanked me because the fear was dissipating....
But Then... I grumbled again and just had to say, that I didn't want it to ever return again....
I just wanted to totally trust in Him...couldn't He just remove it forever?
Then, I said, but not my will but thine.
and I got up.
That was one example of using the application yesterday....and in fact, I used it last night twice!!! Because I woke of from sleeping
it took me a little while to remember...what did I read yesterday and said was the application?
Oh yeah!.....
Often times people who do understand that God has commanded us to take ALL our thoughts captive, give up after a while. They'll take captive the ones that are obvious to them, but they don't look for the ones that aren't obvious and don't ask the Lord for His help. Therefore there's always a residue of whatever sin they were taking captive left behind in them. They job hasn't been completed. OR, they'll take their thoughts captive for a few months or even a year, but then they get tired of it, and stop doing it for the most part. The final way some misunderstand God's Command (probably on purpose) is that they'll take their thoughts captive about whatever topic was shown them originally, but that's all they do. They don't continue on taking all their thoughts captive so that they can have the mind of Christ. We'll never really have the mind of Christ in this life, but the more we take our thoughts captive and replace them, the closer we will come to it. That's at least one good reason God doesn't take things like that away from us. Instead He will help us take our thoughts captive and replace them; He will encourage us and comfort us and continue to guide us to do His Will in taking them captive, so that we will be changed daily to be more like Christ. Ask Him to help you find every little thought, every little word, that links into that fear of death, so that you can obey Him and take it captive. Eventually, the fear will be gone, and you will have victory over it.
You will never experience the grave, by the way. Jesus did that for you. You will experience being with Christ in Heaven, in joy and love and peace.
By the way, there are many verses you can use for this, including: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14–15) Just by remembering that He came to free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death. Or “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18) Or best of all: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
12/20/16
Acts 2: 25-33
Tho the first verses are prophecy about Jesus (yes?)
Nevertheless, they apply to my 'death' fear ( or shall I say 'birth' fear)
So when fear attacks me I need to consider these verses also:
25 I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead..."
I need to remember that the Lord is always before me
and
Not be shaken
rather...
I can rest in Hope
because...
Jesus will NOT ABANDON me.....to the realm of the dead!!!
So Peter gave a long quotation from David. He said that David had foreseen this event and prophesied it. Christ, said Peter, had sent down this power, even as He had promised He would. And that, Peter argued, was the sole explanation of what had happened to them. Now you will notice that Peter did not answer in terms of a theory; he did not make a psychological analysis; he did not try to explain it. He said in essence, “I have only one explanation, and it is Jesus whom you have seen and heard and whose miracles you have witnessed.” So I say to you that it does not matter what your temperament is; it does not matter what your psychological makeup may or may not be. Like Peter, it is my task to remind you of certain historical facts. Jesus of Nazareth is a historical personage. I am not trying to explain some experience or a theory. I start with certain events that have taken place and belong solidly to history. That was Peter’s argument. That was how he started his sermon. But he put it in a most interesting way. He put it in terms of this next element that I want to emphasize—prophecy. “This,” he said, “is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (v. 16), and then he proceeded to quote that prophet who had lived many centuries earlier. The apostle’s argument is that prophecy is a fact. These prophecies were written centuries before the birth of Jesus. So it does not make the slightest difference whether you are volatile or quiet, whether you are an optimist or a pessimist. It is a solid fact of history that many centuries before the birth of Christ, various men wrote down, in documents that were preserved, prophecies about a person who was going to come. They gave the most extraordinary details concerning Him—details about His birth, life, death & resurrection ... They said He would die, yes, but that He would rise again and would ascend and send down the Holy Spirit. All of that was prophesied. This is the basis of the Christian faith. I do not simply preach experiences to you. Thank God, I have had experiences, but I do not tell you what has happened to me. I do not talk about myself. With the apostle Paul I say, “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Cor. 4:5). That is why I never believe in just having people give their testimonies and say, “Come to Jesus and you will get the same thing.” No, no. My task is to hold these facts before you, the facts recorded in the Gospels and, behind them, the fact of prophecy. Authentic Christianity
I'm assuming that you're continuing to keep the application from the last portion, right? "And the application for me is to remember that when I start to despair about death that Jesus will not allow death to keep me either."
So in that cause you need to show more ways you've used that application throughout the day. Keep in mind that you don't have to wait to actually be afraid of death in order to use your application. You can talk to the Lord about it during the day; if you see something about death, or someone dying on the news or a tv show, movie, or video, you can tell yourself the truth about it; If you hear someone talking that mentions death or anything to do with death, you can again tell yourself the truth about it, or even tell them the truth about it. But whatever you do, you should not wait until you actually begin to fear of despair about death, instead you should grab at every possible opportunity to tell yourself the truth about it and you should find as many ways to do so as you can, and find as many scriptures as you can
that you think will help you win this spiritual warfare battle.
Hey guys! I finally have internet connection... I will do a summary of what has happened and tomorrow I will write details :) I got a job :) Again in "Public", the same company I was working in Rhodes. I didnt expect this but the store is much better, and until now everything seems ok :) No more bullying from the manager. They all seem really kind to me. Also I got congatulations from the company for the good work, and that made me really happy :) God has really blessed me :) Unfortunatelly due to the delay in finding a job I run out of money and I havent found my home yet. I should the sooner as possible, because the store is really far from whre I stay, 1 hour to go, and 1 hour to return with the bus. Also, this year I cannot send you my Greek christmas gifts that I was really excited about to know how you liked them :) So be patient for next year :P So good night for now, its 00:10 here in Greece, I will write you more tomorrow :) I missed you both <3 I love you <3 Yeah!! Now I have internet connection !!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2016 14:37:19 GMT -5
I normally do not write or post about dreams but I just wanted to briefly mention one I had last night, because I think my brain was mulling over the death issue.
I dream there was a tornado headed right for our home ( in Conn where I lived as a child)....but a lot of people were there Leonard etc. and we only had time to crawl under a bed.
I started thinking ( in the dream) I am about to die and if I only had had a few more mins we could have gone to the basement and maybe survived.
so I was afraid, but then I started thinking in the dream, this is really just going to be being born into Heaven, not actually dying.
We survived in the dream tho, and then were in the kitchen when there was an even bigger tornado from a different direction, and I knew there would be no escaping dying from this one but the fear didn't even start, I immediately thought, I am not really going to die, ( well my body yes) but I am going to heaven...and then the tornado stopped at the window.
But several things I heard about in the news...like one about a little girl who was kidnapped by a child pedophile and then he buried her alive in garbage bag with a teddy bear. the police said she had been buried while she was still alive.
And I heard of several people that doctors said had died and were in the morgue about to be cremated when they woke up...those sort of 'news' items never helped my fear....I certainly don't expect to be kidnapped by a child pedophile but I always felt so sad for that little girl ( he did not knock her out he just stuffed her in a garbage bag and buried her alive.
I am trying to think of verses ( since when I heard that story I was not at all practicing taking my thoughts captive)
Maybe:
Matt. 18:20
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
And I forgot, Jesus could ( and prob. did) come to her in that grave?
Matt. 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2016 14:38:51 GMT -5
Eva!!!!
Hi We missed you!
Like Cindy I am so glad you have a job and I agree with her...you are our present yeah!!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2016 15:31:12 GMT -5
12/21/16
Acts 2:34-41
One of the verses in this passage that stood out to me for an application was:
v. 40“.........Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
I have been fighting this battle for a Loooong time!
Having the kindle to be able to read at night has helped a LOT.
but every now and again I look on the net or try a series on netflix
and sometimes it will seem pretty tame....but there is always always something that is 'worldly'.
So it's like you said, I haven't yet made a complete cut ( but I think I am almost there finally about that )
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Post by Cindy on Dec 22, 2016 12:38:03 GMT -5
will try and reply tomorrow, no more time today...sorry!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 22, 2016 13:30:18 GMT -5
Don't worry about replying right now, I know Christmas could be a busy time for you with your family.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 22, 2016 13:50:09 GMT -5
12/22/16
Acts:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
There was a time in the past, when I was a bit disturbed because these verses sounded like socialism.
And it may well be.
But later on I realized, that no system of government is perfect, and all can be corrupted.
However, this is an example of how 'socialism', if you will, could be or ought to be.
I do not think it is a flat out endorsement of a type of government but rather an example of a way believers can help each other.
In any case ( correct me if I am wrong because I often am) the application for me, is if I have extra ( or even if I need to sacrifice) for someone in need that the Lord would have me to help...to deny myself.
That is not an easy task so it will be a process.
Leonard has a much more generous and helpful nature than I, but I have been 'slowly' learning over the years and I suppose it will continue until I die.
My excuse has been that being an only child, I didn't learn to share LOL
Having children and grandchildren has helped and Leonard is a good example ( and I am not unfeeling or not compassionate to others but I do have a selfish streak)
For example, one of our daughters co-workers gave us 12 jars of homemade jelly for our Christmas present yesterday.
Leonard's first thought......was how we could give some to our single folks in our complex!!!
I was NOOOOOOOOO they are MINE!!! (notice they were for him too) :-(
Fine.....
we can give 3 away
but what IF food runs out.... what If.... what IF... LOL
So there you go my first test even before I read this passage how does that happen? HA HA
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Post by evafromgreece on Dec 22, 2016 18:14:10 GMT -5
Hey guys :)
I am not the book of 2nd Corinthians. I finished chapter 4.
I will write to you tomorrow. I am all in for the new study ;)
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Post by Cindy on Dec 23, 2016 12:33:30 GMT -5
I normally do not write or post about dreams but I just wanted to briefly mention one I had last night, because I think my brain was mulling over the death issue.
I dream there was a tornado headed right for our home ( in Conn where I lived as a child)....but a lot of people were there Leonard etc. and we only had time to crawl under a bed.
I started thinking ( in the dream) I am about to die and if I only had had a few more mins we could have gone to the basement and maybe survived.
so I was afraid, but then I started thinking in the dream, this is really just going to be being born into Heaven, not actually dying.
We survived in the dream tho, and then were in the kitchen when there was an even bigger tornado from a different direction, and I knew there would be no escaping dying from this one but the fear didn't even start, I immediately thought, I am not really going to die, ( well my body yes) but I am going to heaven...and then the tornado stopped at the window.
But several things I heard about in the news...like one about a little girl who was kidnapped by a child pedophile and then he buried her alive in garbage bag with a teddy bear. the police said she had been buried while she was still alive.
And I heard of several people that doctors said had died and were in the morgue about to be cremated when they woke up...those sort of 'news' items never helped my fear....I certainly don't expect to be kidnapped by a child pedophile but I always felt so sad for that little girl ( he did not knock her out he just stuffed her in a garbage bag and buried her alive.
I am trying to think of verses ( since when I heard that story I was not at all practicing taking my thoughts captive)
Maybe:
Matt. 18:20
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
And I forgot, Jesus could ( and prob. did) come to her in that grave?
Matt. 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
But then in real life you allowed your thoughts to go to things that happened to other people and made your fear greater. First, how do you know the child wasn't knocked out? I saw that story, and all they said was that she was still alive; they couldn't tell if she was conscious or not. Second, what truth from God's Word can replace evils like this when you see or hear about them on the news or something? It's not just about trying to remember specific scriptures, but rather thinking about what you know about God that's true. We know He loves that little girl. We also know that He always helps us when we are in need, and that's especially true for a child. We know from 2 Cor. 12:9-10 that God's power is made perfect in weakness. Who could possibly be weaker or more humble than that child was? We are also told that we need to become like little children in order to enter God's Kingdom. (“And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3–4) Like you said, we also know that God always has angels watching over them, and that those angels report directly to God. So while God did not supernaturally stop what was happening, He knew about it and He was with that child, calming them, (regardless of whether they were conscious or not) and helping them make the transition to Heaven joyously. We know: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.Selah” (Psalm 46:1–3) God’s grace will always arrive when we need it, in whatever way is appropriate for the situation we're in. While God's promises like this are conditional for the saint, assuming that the saint is in good standing with the Lord and not living in unrepented sin, and has stayed in His Word daily, it's not conditional for little children. Just as the little ones will go in the rapture, so too God takes care of them in situations like the one you spoke of. We have the testimonies of many children and of martyrs that God always helps in times like that, even removing or rather not allowing them to experience any pain when that was appropriate for the person involved. Remember the Left Behind books and how they dealt with martyrs deaths? How they showed that God gave them the strength they needed, and also even removed the pain so that they wouldn't be overcome by it?
Here's one example:
On May 20, 1527 his torture, a prelude to execution, began at city center where his tongue was sliced. Chunks of flesh were torn from his body with red-hot tongs, and he was forged to a cart. On the way to the stake execution the tongs were applied five times again. Still able to speak, the unshakable Sattler prayed for his persecutors. After being bound to a ladder with ropes and pushed into the fire, he admonished the people, the judges, and the mayor to repent and be converted. “Almighty, eternal God,” he prayed, “Thou art the way and the truth: because I have not been shown to be in error, I will with thy help to this day testify to the truth and seal it with my blood.” As soon as the ropes on his wrists were burned, Sattler raised the two forefingers of his hand giving the promised signal to his brothers that a martyr’s death was bearable. Then the assembled crowd heard coming from his seared lips, “Father, I commend my spirit into Thy hands.”
On this day: 365 amazing and inspiring stories about saints, martyrs & heroes
This and much more we know about God and from His Word. Because of what we know about our God, we can know that child did not suffer in the ways our imaginations would like us to think about. We know that God loves her and took her to be with Him immediately. We don't know "how" He did it. Perhaps He simply caused her to go to sleep the moment she was put into the bag (if she was conscious at the time). Or perhaps He simply took her to Heaven instantly while allowing her body to die naturally. Since I'm not God, I can't begin to know all the many different ways the Lord could have handled this situation, but I can know that He DID handle it and that the little one is even now safe with Him and enjoying His company. I know too from His Word that He does not want me to focus on the "what might have happened" or "what she might have felt". I know from His Word that if I do overhear something like this like when watching the news, that I am to immediately pray for those involved, including the perpetrator; that I'm to know that the Lord handled the situation in such a way that the child wasn't hurt anymore and that the child is now with Him. Finally, I also know that I am not to dwell on the negative or evil things that happen to myself or to others in this world because of sin. Instead I'm to dwell on God's goodness to us, His love, and anything else that fits the parameters of Phil 4:8.
That doesn't mean that I don't want you to ask me about things like this. I do want you to ask when you have a question, especially when it relates to a fear like this. But I have to also tell you the truth that we are not to dwell on those things. God tells us that because He knows that Satan uses things like that to cause us to sin, to cause us not to trust the Lord and know that He will take care of everything so we don't have to worry about it.
12/21/16
Acts 2:34-41
One of the verses in this passage that stood out to me for an application was:
v. 40“.........Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
I have been fighting this battle for a Loooong time!
Having the kindle to be able to read at night has helped a LOT.
but every now and again I look on the net or try a series on netflix
and sometimes it will seem pretty tame....but there is always always something that is 'worldly'.
So it's like you said, I haven't yet made a complete cut ( but I think I am almost there finally about that )
Acts 2:34–35: Peter’s fourth proof of the resurrection of Christ was the presence of the Holy Spirit (vv. 33–35). Follow his logic. If the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him. Joel promised that one day the Spirit would come, and Jesus Himself had promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to His people (Luke 24:49; John 14:26; 15:26; Acts 1:4). But if Jesus is dead, He cannot send the Spirit; therefore, He must be alive. Furthermore, He could not send the Spirit unless He had returned to heaven to the Father (John 16:7); so, Jesus has ascended to heaven! To back up this statement, Peter quoted Psalm 110:1, a verse that certainly could not be applied to David (note Matt. 22:41–46). The Bible exposition commentary
This verse is so important! ““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”” (Acts 2:36)
Scripture never speaks of any human being’s making Jesus Lord. It is God who made Him Lord (Acts 2:36). Yet we often read statements such as this: “It is imperative to trust Christ as personal Savior and be born again. But that is only the first decision. Trusting Christ as Savior and then making Him Lord are two separate and distinct decisions. The two decisions may be close or distant in time. Salvation must always precede lordship. But it is possible to be saved without ever making Christ Lord of your life." In effect that is saying Christ isn’t Lord unless we give Him permission—a completely unbiblical assertion. To be saved you must confess Jesus as Lord. Jesus is called Lord throughout the NT. To omit the lordship of Christ from invitations to salvation would result in the elimination of numerous passages of Scripture. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2—“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21)—would need to be modified. Paul and Silas’ method of presenting the gospel—“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31)—would need to be corrected. The Jesus who is Savior cannot be separated from the Jesus who is Lord. God cannot be separated from His authority, dominion, rulership, & right to command. When we acknowledge that Jesus is God, we mean He is all that God is. Strength for today
Peter summarizes his sermon with a powerful statement of certainty: The OT prophecies of resurrection and exaltation provide evidence that overwhelmingly points to the crucified Jesus as the Messiah. both Lord and Christ. Jesus is God as well as anointed Messiah (cf. Ro 1:4; 10:9; 1Co 12:3; Php 2:9, 11). The MacArthur study Bible
“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”” (Acts 2:40)
Peter’s words in this verse look back to verses 23 (“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”)and 36 (“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”) Israel was guilty of a horrendous sin; individual Jews could be spared from God’s judgment on that generation if they would repent (cf. Matthew 21:41–44; Matthew 22:7; Matthew 23:34–24:2). They would be set apart to Christ and His church if only they would be disassociated from Israel. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Don't worry about replying right now, I know Christmas could be a busy time for you with your family.
12/22/16
Acts:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
There was a time in the past, when I was a bit disturbed because these verses sounded like socialism.
And it may well be.
But later on I realized, that no system of government is perfect, and all can be corrupted.
However, this is an example of how 'socialism', if you will, could be or ought to be.
I do not think it is a flat out endorsement of a type of government but rather an example of a way believers can help each other.
In any case ( correct me if I am wrong because I often am) the application for me, is if I have extra ( or even if I need to sacrifice) for someone in need that the Lord would have me to help...to deny myself.
That is not an easy task so it will be a process.
Leonard has a much more generous and helpful nature than I, but I have been 'slowly' learning over the years and I suppose it will continue until I die.
My excuse has been that being an only child, I didn't learn to share LOL
Having children and grandchildren has helped and Leonard is a good example ( and I am not unfeeling or not compassionate to others but I do have a selfish streak)
For example, one of our daughters co-workers gave us 12 jars of homemade jelly for our Christmas present yesterday.
Leonard's first thought......was how we could give some to our single folks in our complex!!!
I was NOOOOOOOOO they are MINE!!! (notice they were for him too) :-(
Fine.....
we can give 3 away
but what IF food runs out.... what If.... what IF... LOL
So there you go my first test even before I read this passage how does that happen? HA HA
all things in common. See 4:32. (Acts 4:32–35 all things were common property. Believers understood that all they had belonged to God, and therefore when a brother or sister had a need those who could meet it were obligated to do so (cf. Jas 2:15, 16; 1Jn 3:17). The method was to give the money to the apostles who would distribute it (vv. 35, 37).)This phrase conveys not that the early Christians lived in a commune or pooled and redistributed everything equally, but that they held their own possessions lightly, ready to use them at any moment for someone else, as needs arose. The MacArthur study Bible
This is not meant to be a universal principle, but an attempt at a loving, mutually supportive community or faith. These early believers had a great love for one another. Oh, that we could regain this love and sense of the presence and power of God among us (cf. John 17:11, 21, 22, 23)!! The Book of Acts.
The Christians you meet in the Book of Acts were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual.” They met daily (Acts 2:46), cared daily (Acts 6:1), won souls daily (Acts 2:47), searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5). Their Christian faith was a day-to-day reality, not a once-a-week routine. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality to them, and His resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit. The Bible exposition commentary
Worshiping together is a catalyst for the exercising of spiritual gifts that build up one another for fruitful Christian service. Enter His gates: I'll address this more tomorrow God willing, but have to get going now. But before I do, please...... show how you are applying your applications throughout the day each day!
Hey guys :) I am not the book of 2nd Corinthians. I finished chapter 4. I will write to you tomorrow. I am all in for the new study ;)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 23, 2016 14:58:46 GMT -5
Let me backtrack to yesterday to show again one way I applied scripture to my life.
Several times while looking in the mirror I was lamenting, bemoaning, complaining, discouraged, depressed etc. about how totally old looking I was ( vanity, grumbling etc. all bad sins)
But I wanted to point out that your giving me such a different view on dying and death that it even effected my dream....whereas before it would have just and only terrorized me.
Sooooo I wondered if I could take those disappointed wg in ith my aged self looks captive in a similar fashion.
And I started to think about being in Heaven ......but sort of coming like a 'baby' and how babies, often come into the world, with wrinkled faces, no or thin hair, no teeth, flaccid muscles etc.
And tho I know I will get a new body....I thought:
well, if this is like a process of a child being born into this world then I would be so happy to be in Heaven with Jesus, that I can be less concerned about looks in this life, because I am getting closer and closer to Heaven.[/font [comic sans MS]
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 23, 2016 15:00:35 GMT -5
So happy to have you back Eva!! :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,399
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Post by fearnot on Dec 23, 2016 15:13:37 GMT -5
12/23/16
Acts 3:1-10
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
Today we are all familiar with the phony fake healings on TV , so some might be suspect of 'healings' in the Bible.....
However, there are major differences:
This man that Peter healed was not some anonymous man no one knows like on TV...
No, he was lame from birth, and had been carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put EVERY DAY to beg....
So people had seen this man, year in year out, they knew who he was, they knew he was truly lame (if he has been just pretending, someone would have caught him, walking around, at some time in his life).
The application for me, is to spend more time Praising God, than grumbling ( well, not to grumble at all... is another application to work towards).
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It has the same meaning here: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12) Interestingly four women were said to have “worked hard.” 
The scriptures Peter quoted however, will not be fulfilled until toward the end of the tribulation period and when the Millennial kingdom is ready to be ushered in by our Lord. It is then that ALL God's people (as they will be the only ones left alive) will receive His Spirit and do these things. Remember, Peter is speaking to Jews here. They had all come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Peter told them that they were in the last days - and we have been in these last days, or end times, ever since. Peter is telling them that during these last days, God will pour out His Spirit on His people and they will have these dreams and prophecy etc. This will be God's way of intervening in their lives in order to get them saved. They will no longer be blind to God's Word and His Ways, and these dreams and visions and prophecies will show them that Jesus was and is still their Messiah and may even help save their lives as well as their souls. (of some of them anyway) The end result of this will be that at the very end of the tribulation, ALL Israel will be saved! I don't mean to imply that only Jews will have this happen to them, but I think it will probably happen to a majority of Jews at first, but also some Gentiles too and more of them the closer the end of the tribulation comes, so that by the time it's time to start the Millennial Kingdom, all of God's children will have the Spirit of course and all will have the ability to do these things, since only those who are saved will be able to enter the Millennial Kingdom. 
!!
