John 20:26-29 Jesus came in fulfillment of the Scriptures

Jesus Christ fulfilled every prophesy in the Old Testament recorded thousands of years before His birth. He did not leave us alone and unprotected He gave us Holy Spirit. Living inside of us He alone can teach us and direct us in our daily lives. He gives guidance not only in spiritual matters but in the practical working out of our faith in our everyday lives.

Just believe! What a wonderful triune God we serve.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Blessed be Father, Son and Holy Spirit who always were, always will be and will always remain the same.

1 Peter 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Richard Rohr writes, “Like Jesus, (Saint) Francis taught his disciples while walking from place to place and finding ways to serve, to observe, and to love in the world that was right in front of them.”

Knowing that with one another we play a role—even with people who differ from us. When we don’t shun, but embrace one another, as brother and sister, and see their light—the light that may be hidden or buried—and our world is a better place.

“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” (Thank you Albert Schweitzer) SabbathMoments 

When David says in Psalm 23, “I will live in the house of the Lord forever,” he’s saying simply that he never wants to step away from God. Make it your aim never to leave God’s house.

And when you find yourself in another house, just call home. He won’t mind, he’ll be waiting. Max Lucado

John 20:26-29

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. The New King James Version

Thomas affirms what Jesus has been alluding to throughout the Gospel: Jesus is more than a teacher and a master—He is God. Like John’s audience, and believers today—we have not seen the resurrected Jesus with our own eyes. On the basis of the book’s testimony, John calls for people to believe in Jesus—the world’s King and Savior, as well as God’s Son—and receive the eternal life that comes through His death and resurrection. Faithlife Study Bible

Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the closed room. When Jesus appeared to the other disciples, He showed them His hands and His side. No doubt they told Thomas about it; hence his request. 

My Lord and my God, Thomas not only believed that Christ was risen from the dead, but he also saw that the Resurrection proved His deity. 

Those who have not seen includes all who have believed in Christ since His ascension to the Father. 

John states the purpose of his book. His purpose was to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled God’s promises to Israel. Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. By believing these things, a person obtains eternal life. The NKJV Study Bible

There were other signs and proofs of our Lord’s resurrection, but these were committed to writing, that all might believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of sinners, and the Son of God; that, by this faith, they might obtain eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. May we believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing may we have life through his name. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 24:40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

John 20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Lamentations 3:58–60 God sees us

God sees us and our hurts. How is it that the Maker of heaven and earth sees mere humans and all their sins and loves them enough to offer the life of His only Begotten Son to save us from ourselves. There is no one righteous but Him.

How great is our God!!

He wants everyone to come to His saving grace. His mercies are new every morning!

Jeremiah 50:34 

Their Redeemer is strong;

The LORD of hosts is His name.

He will thoroughly plead their case,

That He may give rest to the land,

And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Matthew 18:15-20 says our intent in confronting a fellow believer who sins against us isn't to win an argument or defeat them; it is to restore unity and fellowship. But if private restoration fails, then we involve others, not to outnumber the offender but to reinforce accountability and invite the wisdom of "an abundance of counselors" (Proverbs 11:14). Jesus gives the final step of treating an unrepentant Christian like an unbeliever (Matthew 18:16-17). We shouldn't lose hope for their eventual restoration. If and when an offender is repentant, we are to offer forgiveness and restore fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). First 5

Three US presidents, five first ladies, and other leaders were in Atlanta today to bid a final farewell to former first lady Rosalynn Carter. President Jimmy Carter, who is 99 and receiving hospice care at home, was in a wheelchair, in the front row. What an honor to watch much of it today on TV. It did my heart good.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performing, "Imagine."
And this from grandson Jason Carter, “She poured out her love. Opened up her heart to people (in need), not with pity, but as partners. She knew what comes back when you give your love away.” Authenticity, alive and well.

Lord, Let Me Give..
I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comfort to someone in need..
By smile or nod, kind word or deed..
And let me do what ever I can
To ease things for my fellow man..
I want naught but to do my part
To "lift" a tired or weary heart..
To change folks' frowns to smiles again..
Then I will not have lived in vain
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give... and give... and give...
—unknown Sabbath Moments

You can’t run the world, nor are you expected to be all-powerful. You may think you can. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power will not do the trick.

The Bible says “Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever.” A trio of peaks. Admire them, applaud them, but don’t climb them. You weren’t made to run a kingdom or to be all-powerful. And you certainly can’t handle all the glory.

As you confess that God is in charge, you admit you aren’t. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit you don’t. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain. Max Lucado

Lamentations 3:58–60

58 O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. 59 O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged; Judge my case. 60 You have seen all their vengeance, All their schemes against me. The New King James Version

A renewed individual lament, but the speaker now seems to be speaking as a representative of the community. The language is similar to traditional laments in the Psalms that emphasize suffering caused by human enemies and call on Yahweh to aid His people against their enemies.

Faithlife Study Bible

Jeremiah used the terms of God’s formal accusation however, here the words are used for the people rather than against them. You have redeemed my life: Here is a hint of the light of the NT gospel in the dark pages of the Book of Lamentations. The only way that God would be able to plead the case of His people was if He Himself paid for—or redeemed them from—their sinfulness. The NKJV Study Bible

Thou saidst, Fear not. This was the language of God’s grace, by the witness of his Spirit with their spirits. And what are all our sorrows, compared with those of the Redeemer? He will deliver his people from every trouble, and revive his church from every persecution. He will save believers with everlasting salvation.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 34:22 

The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Psalm 43:1 

Vindicate me, O God,

And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!

Psalm 119:154 

Plead my cause and redeem me;

Revive me according to Your word.

Daniel 12:11–13 Our inheritance in Christ Jesus

No one knows the end of sin and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus but the Father. As followers of Jesus Christ we are sealed in Holy Spirit. 

We persevere and grow in our faith until He calls us home.

Over and over the Bible makes it clear who really runs the earth. Satan may strut and prance, but it is God who calls the shots. Max Lucado

God desires to shape us and mold us to be more like Himself so that we, too, shine His glory in the darkness of this world (Matthew 5:16). As God's children, we glorify God as we follow the guidance of His Spirit, who dwells in us and develops us over time to think, speak, act and be holy like Him (1 Peter 1:16).

Day by day, the choices we make to live a life that honors God strengthen our character. Spiritual disciplines like reading God's Word, praying and worshipping Him shape our hearts to be more like His. And the more we grow in Christlikeness, the more vividly we display Him to the world around us. Knowing this, we should be careful not to treat our spiritual growth casually but strive to reach our full potential in Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8). First 5

There’s a good for the heart story about the young girl who returned home from school in tears.
Her Mother worried, asked, “Sweetheart, what happened?”
“It was awful,” the girl told her Mother. “My best friend's cat died. And she was very, very sad.”
“But why are you still crying?” her Mother asked.
“Because I don't think I'm a good best friend. Because I didn't know the right words to say, to try to help her.”
“Well what did you do?” the mother asked.
“I just held her hand, and cried with her all day.”

Now when people reach out, or come to me, I may or may not know any answers, but I can tell you that your heart and life is precious, and I can hold your hand. Sabbath Moments 

Daniel 12:11–13

11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. The New King James Version

When all that was predicted takes place, Daniel will arise to his everlasting life. Since the end of days is in view throughout the persecution, it is a fitting theme with which to close the book. Faithlife Study Bible

Various interpretations have been suggested for this number of days. One significant interpretation is that these days refer to the middle of a seven-year period of tribulation prior to the coming of Christ. At that time, the Antichrist will abolish the abominable and idolatrous sacrifices that he had established. Daniel would die and be resurrected. The NKJV Study Bible

sealed (Heb. chatham) (12:9; Is. 29:11; Jer. 32:10) Strong’s #2856: This word means “to affix a seal.” To authenticate a document and assure its integrity, a king or official would close it with an application of clay or wax, stamped with an impression of his seal. The document then carried his authority and could not be altered without breaking the seal. Letters (1 Kin. 21:8), land deeds (Jer. 32:10), covenants (Neh. 10:1), and royal decrees (Esth. 3:12) were all authenticated with seals. Daniel’s prophetic announcements were symbolically sealed (12:9), indicating that they were authoritative and could not be altered, until the day of their fulfillment. In Revelation, a seal of the scroll of judgment is broken, indicating that the time of its fulfillment has come (Rev. 5:1–10).

wait (Heb. chakah) (12:12; 2 Kin. 7:9; Job 32:4; Ps. 33:20; 106:13; Is. 8:17; 30:18) Strong’s #2442: In Scripture, the word “wait” normally suggests the anxious, yet confident, expectation by God’s people that the Lord will intervene on their behalf. Such waiting may be for answers to prayer (Ps. 25:5), for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), for salvation (Gen. 49:18), or especially for the coming of the Messiah to bring salvation to His people and to establish His kingdom on earth (Ps. 37:34; Luke 12:36; Rom. 8:23; 1 Thess. 1:10). Waiting, therefore, is the working out of hope.

Daniel 9:27 

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;

But in the middle of the week

He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,

Even until the consummation, which is determined,

Is poured out on the desolate.”

Daniel 11:31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.

Matthew 24:15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),

Mark 13:14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Acts 12:5-11 Just believe!!!!

Never limit God’s power in your life! He is the God of miracles.

Just believe!

In the measure that we believe in Him is the measure that we can receive from Him.

Trust God in His perfect will  for your life!

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein

In his book about his life change, Pearson wrote, “Saved not only from hell and eternal damnation, but saved from itself—saved from its erroneous perceptions of God and good... If I am judged for perceiving Christ or Christianity in error, I’d rather be wrong for overestimating the love of God than underestimating it. I’d rather err on the goodness, greatness and graciousness of God than the opposite.”

Yes... I can speak from my heart, with compassion, and see (or welcome) my brothers and sisters, because I see (and honor) the common ground we share.

When I was young, I remember a book that got me thinking; Your God is Too Small, by JB Phillips.

And it's so true, that we're taught to put God in a box, and whoever doesn't believe that box, must not believe "in God". That's the way I was raised... and my own journey has been to welcome the gift—that God is bigger than any box created.

Richard Rohr’s reminder, “By God’s love, mercy, and grace, we are already the Body of Christ: the one universal body that has existed since the beginning of time. You and I are here for just a few decades, dancing on the stage of life, perhaps taking our autonomous selves far too seriously. That little and clearly imperfect self just cannot believe it could be a child of God. I hope the gospel frees us to live inside of a life that is larger than the one our small selves have imagined. SabbathMoments 

Acts 12:5-11

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”   The New King James Version

Two of the soldiers in the squad are chained to Peter while the other two keep watch. This choice to guard him this closely is probably due to him being freed miraculously earlier. Peter finally realized that his dream was real. This is not a reference primarily to Jews as opposed to Gentiles (non-Jewish people), but to Jews who have rejected Jesus as Messiah and are opposed to the Christian community and its mission. Faithlife Study Bible

Peter was arrested and slated to be executed like James. However, Peter’s execution was delayed because it was against Jewish law to have a trial or sentencing during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, better known as Passover. This was Peter’s third arrest. During a previous incarceration, Peter had miraculously escaped with the help of an angel of the Lord who opened the gates of the prison. This time Peter was placed under maximum security in the care of four squads of soldiers of four men each. The soldiers worked three-hour shifts. Both of Peter’s wrists were chained, and he had a soldier on each side. Outside Peter’s cell, two more soldiers stood guard. Why was Peter’s life spared while James’s life was taken? The answer is the sovereign will of God. If we believe that God is good and wise, we can trust that what He allowed to happen was part of His wise plan for the good of all of His people. When we place our complete trust in the goodness of God, we can find true peace. God is in control despite any appearance to the contrary. The NKJV Study Bible

Daniel 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!

Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

Luke 15:17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Acts 5:19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.