Acts 4:23-31 (Daily Bread of 31/8/2018)

THEY CONFIDENTLY ANNOUNCED

Key Verse  4  31

The event presented in this text is something comparable with that of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down when they were praying. What were their prayer topics?         

1. Through David's mouth (23-26)

In light of the miracle, the fear of the crowd, and the ex-infirm's testimony, the religious powers were forced to release the apostles. Especially Peter and John were able to boldly testify  before the Sanhedrin, who finally accepted and released the apostles. It was a miracle from God. This was proof that God had not abandoned them, but always accompanied them. They then greatly worshipped God with all their hearts. They remembered David's prophecy of Psalm 2 and understood that the powers of the world were conspiring against the Holy One of God.

2. Give us to advertise with confidence (27-31)

The threat, although passed, was still present. Jesus was once crucified by the League of Politicians and Religious. It will be the same for his faithful ones. The powers of the world, political and religious will come together and kill the faithful. The servant cannot be greater than the master, Jesus once said. That is why these faithful, after praising, began to pray intensely. They said, "Pay attention to us , Lord. "They recognized their total helplessness. They asked God for mercy and protection. Their subject of prayer is twofold: first, to strengthen their interior, so that they may have the full assurance of Jesus. Insurance corresponding to faith is essential for witnessing and preaching. Peter and John's assurance was the locomotive behind the miracle of the lame's healing. Second of all subject on the prodigy is the result of the first. Without this assurance there is very little chance of success. What does it mean to have assurance? When the atmosphere is hostile and rejection is common one's assurance shrinks. Skepticism is an ideology of our times. The assurance  begins by saying "yes. "To say it louder say Amen.

Acts 3:1-11 (Daily Bread of 28/8/2018)

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, GET UP AND WALK

Verse Key 3  6

Here we see the first healing that the apostles performed. John and Peter were together as a team. The cripple had his own expectation, but God offered him something much more precious.    

1. Waiting for a lame person (1-5)

A lame man was brought to Peter and John. This man was quite well known by all, for he sat before one of the gates of the temple for almsgiving, for a very long time as he was crippled from birth. Surely he had been abandoned by his relatives. Begging was his job and his habit. He couldn't see the end of his fatalistic life. One day, everything changed. The people brought him to be healed by the apostles. However, the cripple had a rather mediocre expectation . He was looking for some material help. Indeed, even though he saw with his two eyes like the others, he was spiritually blind. The apostles asked him to fix his gaze on them.

2. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, stand up and walk (6-11)

Peter understood the cripple. Peter saw a fundamental need which is of the spiritual order and which concerned his soul. For this, the cripple needed faith. Hence his preliminary request to look at him and Jean. His life was defeatist, but he needed to praise God, his Creator, and thus experience unspeakable joy. Peter admitted that he had no money. He knew that above all he had something in particular. It was the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. What's that name? He is the one who died on the cross, but rose again on the third day, crushing Satan's head. What a dear name for Peter, for all men and for this defeatist man in particular. Peter knew that this precious name has immeasurable power, and was able to deliver any imprisoned soul. When they had a clear conviction about the power of this name, the disciples were able to deliver a soul  from the incurable disease. Thank you for that powerful name that saves us!

1 Samuel 20:1-21:1 (Daily Bread of 21/8/2018)

DAVID AND JONATHON SEPARATED

Key Verse  20: 16a

David's safety was in danger. He was running away. Today's Word tells us how David finally separated from Jonathon. They nevertheless established an inviolable alliance .

1. David went to Jonathon (1-8)

David was fleeing because even Samuel could not do anything for David when Saul was overrun by the demon of jealousy. He was in a dead end across from Saul's camp, which kept hugging him. Then David, as if he were drowning and forced to seize his last chance, went to Jonathon. He complained to him, for he had done nothing wrong against his father, the King. Jonathon still seemed to trust his father. David wanted to confirm his father's will for him. He did a test that would serve as a sign. David would be absent on the new moon festival. The sign should be manifested in the King's words, according to what was in his heart. 

2. Both cried and separated (9-24)

Jonathon carried David's message to the King. The King was furious and insulted Jonathon and this definitively changed his mind. It was clear that the King had decided to kill David. Jonathon did the sign that had been arranged before he went to the feast, for the King had decided to eliminate David. David understood that the King's heart was firm and irremediable and he had to flee. David and Jonathon cared for each other with a love stronger than that which can be found in any woman and they made a covenant. This covenant stated that since Jonathon had let or helped David go, his house and his descendants will not be destroyed by David. This covenant will always stand before God and David. David will not infringe the right of Jonathon's house, according to this perpetual covenant. Jonathon and David both got up, embraced each other and wept. David did so more than Jonathon. The close friends separated. Now David was absolutely alone, and the world before him was like a vast ocean on which his life sailed like a flickering wherry.

1 Samuel 13:15-14:23 (Daily Bread of 14/8/2018)

JONATHAN

Key Verse  13:6

Jonathan makes his appearance today . He went up to the camp of the Philistines and overcame them. Who is this outstanding Jonathan? What can we learn from him in God's fight? 

                       

1. Israel in the state of depravation (15-22)

Israel's camp was in extreme poverty. There were only 600 men near Saul the king, and few of them had what could be called weapons. Moreover, all the blacksmiths of Israel were captured or returned to the Philistines, so that they had to sharpen their tools the Israelites had to go to the Philistines. Three troops  amongst the Philistines came out to ravage the Israelites. Truly, the nation of Israel was in great danger and under insurmountable threat.         

2. Jonathan infiltrated the enemy camp (14:1-23)

Without his father Saul knowing, Jonathan went out with his arm carrier, and went up to the enemy camp. Instead of having the usual acrimonious and delicate prince mentality, Jonathan had a firm character. He dared to save his nation from danger with his best efforts. God uses brave men or women to save His people. Jonathan sought the sign, and found that God would go up to the enemy camp with him. His soul bearer was an excellent collaborator, for he was entirely obedient to his master. God uses men or women who collaborate as one body. Jonathan's courage threw the enemy into panic and it was seen on another side of the ravine. Saul was superstitious about the religious ceremony, as there was some time to go. This one doesn't give victory. On the other hand, the courage of faith gives victory. Even the Israelites, who were afraid and hid themselves, went up and fought the enemy. God delivered His people with His power.

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Genesis 19:1-29 (Daily Bread of 3/8/2018)

GOD CHASTISES SODOME THROUGH FIRE

Key verse 19: 24

In the English air raid called Gomorrah in 1944 on Hamburg, amongst 40,000 dead people, a German soldier survived. During his imprisonment, he read the Bible of the American chaplain and became one of the most famous modern theologians who founded the theology of hope.  The Bible says Lot was saved from the cataclysm as he was a righteous man.                      
                      
1.  God saw the wickedness of the city (1-14)

God came to verify the wickedness of the city,   as the inhabitants were reproached for many  things (13).  When he stood at the door, Lot went to them.  He was hospitable, but his welcome was not as warm as Abraham's.  Moreover, he forced them into it.  The Sodomites soon noticed the beauty of the angels, and came to claim them.  It was to know them, says v. 5, as their morals were homosexual.  We are surprised at what Lot said about his daughters, for they were married yet they had not known men.  They abandoned the natural relationship, as Paul says in Romans and became inflamed woman with woman, and man with man.  According to Paul, God will reprove them.  That faith was fire from heaven.     

     
2.  God made sulphur and fire fall from the sky (15-29)



In the eyes of his sons-in-law, Lot's judgment of God seemed like a joke.  When all were procrastinating, the angels hastened Lots' steps.  With an outstretched hand, the angel had gathered Lot from the violence of the Sodomites, striking them with blindness.  With an extended hand, this time God put Lot and his family out of town. Lot was afraid, and begged them to flee to Zoar, and they allowed him to.  Then God rained brimstone and fire from heaven which consumed the whole city .  God's judgment is truly formidable.  God tolerated their evil patiently, but it was to save a few.  The time will come when all wickedness will be judged and the works of the righteous will be rewarded.  Lot's wife's turned gaze symbolises her attachment to the world.  We must renounce it for the salvation of our souls.

Genesis 17:15-27 (Daily Bread of 31/7/2018)

SARA WILL HAVE A SON

Key Verse  17:19

Today, we will continue talking about the covenant between God and Abraham. The Lord renamed Sarah and promised her a future son called Isaac. Where there's a convenant there's a back and forth movement. Abraham obeyed.                      

1. I will establish my covenant with him (15-22)

Abraham had a vision of becoming a noble father according to his former name, but God's vision was even bigger as He wanted him to become the father of many nations. Having a close contentment with personal or family life saddens God, and makes the person dishonest  (1). The fact that the chosen one falls into this state makes him spiritually incorrect. God visited and broadened his vision. However, it seems that Abraham's one was not as enlarged as God wanted it to be. First, God renamed his wife Sarai, Sara. Sarai is a princess, but Sara is the mother of a big nation. To accomplish this, Sarah had to renounce her desire as a princess and to decide to become God's servant (Lk 1:38). Sara thought she'd be a mother via Agar. That was what common sense at the time. God did away with that common sense, however, to give access to the divine world. Man's sight is blurred as sciences develop without such access. God is called The Almighty. Sterile Sara will have a son from her womb. Abraham laughed, but this was not in his favour as his son will thereafter have a strange name, Isaac, in remembrance of his disbelief. God understood this and will bring forth a baby who laughs all the time and who will be the joy of the couple.                

2. Abram was circumcised (23-27)

On the same day Abraham arose and had every man circumcised; he, his son Ishmael and all his household. True circumcision is that of the heart, as Paul explained in his Romans. Abraham obeyed God with all his heart, and this pleased God. Man cannot please God with a ritual act, but by obeying God with all his heart, he can. Maybe in the beginning Abraham still had some doubts in his heart, given his aged body and that of barren Sarah, but he fully accepted God's promise. He had himself and his house circumcised as an expression of this acceptance.