THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 14

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 14

At Iconium they went together into a Jewish synagogue and preached in such a way that a large number believed, both Jews and Greeks. At this, the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the disciples. Nevertheless, they remained there quite a while and preached with boldness, trusting in Adonai Yeshua. He gave His approval to the preaching of His grace by letting both signs and miracles be done by them. The people of the city were divided in opinion, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. Finally, there was an attempt on the part of both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with the authorities, to insult and stone them.

When they became aware of this danger, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, also towns of Lycaonia, and to the neighboring countryside. And there, too, they preached the Gospel. In Lystra there sat a lame man, a cripple from birth, who had never walked. This man listened to Paul speaking. Paul was watching him and saw that he believed that he could be healed. So Paul spoke to him in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he sprung up and walked. When the crowds saw what Paul did, they shouted in their Lycaonian dialect, ‘It is the gods! They have come down to us in the likeness of men.’ And Barnabas they called Zeus (Jupiter), while Paul was named Hermes (Mercury) because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple stood at the entrance of the city, came together with crowds of people bringing oxen and wreaths, wishing to sacrifice them. When Paul and Barnabas – the Apostles – discovered what was going on, they rushed into the crowd, tearing their clothes and crying out, “Why are you doing this? We are simply men with the same kind of feelings as you have. We preach the glad tidings that you should turn away from such superstitions to the living God, Who made the heavens and the earth; the sea and all that is in them. In bygone ages He permitted the Gentiles to walk in their own ways. Yet, even so, He has not left them without any witness. He has showered blessings, sending rains u us from the skies and giving fruitful seasons, supplying us with food in plenty and our hearts with gladness.’ Even with such arguments they could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them. In the meantime, however, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and influenced the mob, so they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, leaving him here for dead.

Paul revived and got up just as many of the disciples had gathered around him. He went back to the city, and the next day he set out with Barnabas for Derbe. In that city, too, they preached the Gospel and won many disciples, after which they returned by way of Lystra and Iconium and Antioch. In each place they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to be true to The Faith, and reminded them that to enter the kingdom of Elohei we must suffer many hardships. In every congregation they had elders appointed for them, and, with prayer and fasting, these were dedicated to Adonai on Whom they believed. Then they went on farther and, passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphilia. After that, they preached the Word in Perga and came down to Attalia. Next, they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commissioned by the grace of Elohei to do the work they now had completed.

On their arrival, they called the congregation together and gave a report of everything that Elohim had done for them on the trip, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Then, for quite a long time they stayed there with the disciples.

**ACTS 13: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-13.html

GARDEN SURPRISES

I love spending time in my gardens :-D However, since the air has been filled with smoky haze due to the wildfire smoke blowing in from calimexarabia, canada, and the various wildfires from east and south of us, I haven’t been able to get outside. But today I absolutely HAD to get outside to water with the temperatures in the 90’s and soaring; burning lungs will just have to be dealt with later tonight …

And I really like it when I have surprise visitors that spend time there too ;-) I saw 2 new creatures today … a beige frog while watering my geraniums; and a black and black and white striped bee, called a ‘sweet bee’ that I never even knew existed in these parts (I have lived in this region for 52 years and have gardened for 40 of those years). These are nice surprises:

Halictus farinosus - aka SWEET BEE of the PNW region; at first I thought it was a type of hornet. Today is the first time I have ever seen one. https://www.westernexterminator.com/blog/most-common-pacific-northwest-bees/

A BEIGE FROG! Apparently this little tree frog is THE SAME GREEN tree frog that is hanging out at our pad – and in its ‘beige color stage’ ;-) From what I have just read, the pacific green tree frog will change its skin color to blend with its environment … and right now the environment around here is dry and a brownish haze due to the wildfires surrounding our region.

The pink, white, and variegated leafed Geraniums are 12 years old ... the red ones are 25 and 20 years old. 

What I don’t like are the visitors that damage my garden plants … like whatever is eating my corn and causing growth damage >:-( It’s not raccoons – though we do have raccoons that waddle through here; my bet is on an insect. Possibly earwigs. I did hear and see a flying grasshopper around my corn when I stepped out to water, so it is quite possible that the grasshopper is the culprit. But whatever {it} is, I do not want it chomping on my corn! This is NOT a nice surprise …

SOMETHING IS EATING MY CORN! I hand-pollinated the ears as soon as they sprouted sufficient silk, so I am hoping that the corn cobs will survive and plump up with tasty kernels despite the missing silks. https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/795/

Grasshoppers, too, can feed on aboveground tissues of a corn plant, including leaves, tassels, green silks, and ears. ... In severe infestations, the entire corn stand is stripped of leaves leaving only bare stalks. Damage can be severe in dry years when natural vegetation is limited and grasshoppers migrate to corn fields.

I was excited to see my Roma tomatoes and Cucumber vine ripening; the Ruby Chard perking up, and my miniature Yellow Rose bush putting out new growth/flowers following the drastic pruning I gave it a few weeks ago. I planted a small planter at the base of the cuke planter box with lettuce seed for fresh salads – by the time it is ready to pick, the Romaine will be ready to be harvested; the Romas will be ripening by the handful by then, and with a hope and a prayer, perhaps the carrots & scallions will be mature enough too to add them to the salad bowl:

I think I will pull the celery this week – it’s quite tall and looks to be more than ready to be harvested …

MOD KNIT FALL KITCHEN TOWEL/DISHCLOTH SET

I designed this kitchen set 2 days ago and finished it up it morning – I worked straight through the night on the dishtowel design on the 17^th, finished the topper last night, and made the towel’s spider “button” and dishcloth tonight.

MOD Knit cotton kitchen Fall Towel/Dishcloth Set. $10/set

Tomorrow this set will be tagged for $10: $8/towel & $2/dishcloth. That is a fair price considering that it took 14 hours spread out over 3 days to complete the entire set. A $8 store bought towel is made of recycled plastic materials and doesn’t soak up water like my cotton towel will. The stamped design also wears off and fades with the 1^st washing: my set will last quite a long time, remaining bright and colorful for an extended period of time.

I also removed the dried dillweed from the dying rack and snipped it for storage. I love the smell of dill … and dill is good for upset stomachs, which I seem to have quite often now. It may not look like much, but it is enough for what I use it for ;-)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 13

Again, I want to stress that when this passage mentions {the Jews} in a derogatory manner, religiosity is what is meant, NOT true Jews! Remember that Yeshua WAS SENT TO the JEWISH PEOPLE as THEIR SAVATION – He was born a Jew, raised a Jew, lived a Jewish lifestyle, and MANY Jews BELIEVED IN the message/ministry of YESHUA. The 1^st Church was 95% JEWS.

Elohim does not hate the Jews as a whole … He only hates religious hypocrites and religiosity that keeps people from Him and His Salvation. A strict religious code CANNOT SAVE! ONLY FAITH IN Yeshua can save. I get so tired of hearing arrogantly ignorant Christians say ‘Jews killed Jesus’ as if they are somehow innocent of His blood. Here’s a clue for the dimwitted: Yeshua came to Earth TO DIE for the SINS OF ALL MANKIND; but specifically for the Jews’ redemption; it is TO THE JEWS Yeshua WILL RETURN and it is FOR THE JEWS that He will fight during the Battle of Armageddon. Christians, by Elohei’s grace, are spliced into that salvation – Christians are NOT above Jews. Christians are as guilty of His blood as the Jews are. The Church of today is especially guilty as they are following in the footsteps of the Jews mentioned in this passage.

((((WAKE UP!)))) people and get wise.

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 13

In the assembly at Antioch there were a number of prophets and teachers, such as Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaean (a foster brother of Herod the governor), and Saul. While they were worshipping Adonai Yeshua and fasting, the Ruach Ha’Kodesh said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work which I have called them.”

So, after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them out. Indeed, it was really the Ruach Ha’Kodesh Who had sent them. They went first to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they landed at Salamis they preached the Word of Elohei in the Jewish synagogues there. They had taken John Mark along as their helper.

They crossed the island as far as Paphos. There they met Barjesus, a Jewish magician and false prophet. At the time he was with the governor, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence who had asked Barnabas and Saul to come to him, for he wished to hear the Word of Elohei. But this Elymas the magician (as he called himself) – the word Elymas means magician – opposed them. He tried to keep the governor from accepting The Faith. Saul – hereafter called Paul – filled with the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, looked squarely at him and said, “You professional deceiver and mischief maker, you son of Lucifer, you enemy of all that is right – will you never stop perverting the straight ways of Adonai? Now, look here, the hand of Adonai will descend on you, and you will become blind, so that for a time you will be unable to see even the sun.” And immediately mist and darkness came upon him and he had to ask people to lead him by the hand as he went from place to place.

But the governor believed, for he had witnessed what had happened, and he was greatly interested in the teaching of Adonai Yeshua.

Paul and his companions then set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark left them there, returning to Jerusalem.

From Perga they continued on until they came to Antioch in Pisidia. When the Sabbath came around they went into a synagogue and sat down. After the rulers had read from the Law and the prophets, they stepped down to them, saying, ‘Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation to give The People, say it now’. Accordingly, Paul stood up, motioned with his hand and addressed them: “Men of Israel, and you God-fearing people, listen to me: The God of this People Israel chose our fathers and made them a great people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and then with uplifted hand He led them out f it. For about 40 years He put up with their ways in the desert. Then, after he had overthrown 7 nations in the land of Canaan, He divided the land to them by lot. After that, for about 450 years, He let them have judges up to the time of the prophet Samuel. Next, they wanted a king … and Elohei gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned 40 years. When He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, to whom He gave this testimonial, “I have found in David, a son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all that I want him to.” It is from this man’s posterity that Elohei has, as he promised, given Israel a savior, Yeshua. Before He came, John had prepared the way by proclaiming to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance. When John himself was about finished with his work, he asked, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the One, but He will come after me. And I am not worthy even to untie the shoes on His feet.’ Men and brethren, sons of the race of Abraham, and you others that fear Elohei, this message of salvation has been sent to you. For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, because of their ignorance of Him and the prophesies read to them every Sabbath, fulfilled those prophecies by condemning Him. They demanded of Pilate that he be put to death, although they could find no charge against Him deserving of death. Then, when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But Elohim raised Him from the dead. And for many days he appeared to those who had come up with Him from galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now His witnesses to The People. And so we bring you the Gospel (Good News) of the promise made to the fathers. And Elohei has fulfilled this promise to us, their children, by raising up Yeshua. This is so stated also in the 2^nd Psalm, ‘You are My Son; I have begotten You today.’ And in proof of that, He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay. He has said, ‘I will fulfill to you the faithful promises made to David.’ And in another Psalm He says, ‘You will not permit your Holy One to undergo decay.’ David truly served his own generation by Elohei’s counseling, then died and was laid to rest beside his fathers and underwent decay. But He, Whom Elohim raised again did not undergo decay. Men and brethren, listen to the Good News: you may have forgiveness of sins through this One.  Everyone who believes in Him will be justified in all things, even those from which the Law of Moshe cannot set you free. Look out, therefore, that the judgment of the prophets may not come upon you! ‘Listen you scoffers! You will wonder, but you will perish. I will do a work in your days, something that you will not believe at all, even if one should make it plain to you.’”

Then, when the Jews had left the synagogue, the Gentiles requested that he return on the following Sabbath and speak again on the subject. When the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes (a person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another, especially recently) followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them about the importance of continuing in the grace of Elohim.

On the following Sabbath, almost the whole town came out to hear the Word of Elohei. The Jews were filled with envy when they saw the immense crowd that came to the meeting, and they interrupted Paul’s address with contradictions and blasphemies. Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly, “We had to preach the Word of Elohei to you first, but you thrust it away from you, thus declaring yourselves unworthy of everlasting life; hence, we turn to the Gentiles. Adonai Yeshua gave us a commission. It is this: ‘You are to be a light to the Gentiles and to bring salvation to the furthest parts of the Earth’.” (Isaiah 49:6)

The Gentiles, on hearing this, were very glad and praised the Word of Adonai, and as many as were ordained (intended, meant, designed, predestined, appointed, predetermined) to everlasting life believed. And the Word of Adonai spread throughout that region.

The Jews, however, by stirring up the principal men and the most religious and respected women of the city, started persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of town. After having shaken the dust off their feet in protest against them, they came to Iconium. The Apostles were in joyful spirit and filled with the Ruach Ha’Kodesh.

**ACTS 12: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-12.html

ORIENTAL BEEF w-VEGGIES & ANGEL HAIR PASTA

This entire meal takes just under an hour to cook and place on the table :-D

And it’s very light on the stomach and calories too!

A plus in my book … ;-)

ORIENTAL BEEF w-VEGGIES & ANGEL HAIR PASTA ~ 4 2 cup servings

¾ pound lean Beef boneless round steak * 2 Tablespoons Sake (rice wine), or Sherry or Chicken broth * 1 Tablespoon finely chopped Gingerroot or 1 teaspoon ground ginger * 2 teaspoons vegetable Oil * ½ teaspoon Salt * 1 clove Garlic, crushed * 1 teaspoon vegetable Oil * 1 cup thinly sliced Zucchini wedges * 1 cup Carrot, julienned * 1 cup Green Onions, sliced * 1 can (8 ounces) Mushroom pieces * 2 Tablespoons Sake (rice wine), or Sherry or Chicken broth * COOKED Angel Hair Pasta for 4

Assembled Ingredients

Trim fat from beef steak. Cut beef diagonally into ¼-inch strips. Mix beef, 2 Tablespoons sake, the gingerroot, 2 teaspoons oil, the salt and garlic in a medium glass or plastic bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Grating the gingerroot for the marinade

Place pasta in a pot of water and bring to a bowl; reduce heat to a slow boil and cook until al dante; remove from heat and drain well.

Cooking pasta

While pasta is draining, heat 1 teaspoon oil in wok or deep 12-inch skillet until very hot. Remove beef mixture from ‘fridge and add to skillet – stir fry about 5 minutes or until beef is done.

Add pasta, veggies, and mushrooms; stir-fry about 4 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender. Sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons sake and serve.

MOD OLD GLORY AMERICANA FINGER PUPPET SET - #4/TEA PARTY “INDIAN”

This finger puppet is the last one in this particular finger puppet set (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/07/old-glory-americana-finger-puppet-set_30.html).

I designed and crafted MOD Tea Party Indian Friday evening and finished it up in the wee Saturday morning hours. I used a simplistic pictures of a Mohawk Indian because after I did further research on authentic and historic ethnic Mohawk clothing, I decided it fit. Because it was a simple design, it worked up very quickly:

Mohawk costume

Tea Party 'Mohawk Indian'. Front view

Tea Party 'Mohawk Indian'. Side view

Tea Party 'Mohawk Indian'. Back view

Next to George Washington and Betsy Ross, the recounting of the December 16^th, 1773 Tea Party ‘Indians’ who boarded a british cargo ship destroying tea chests and dumping the contents into the Boston Harbor in a spectacular display of outraged American tax boycott on british goods … later known as ‘The Boston Tea Party’ as part of our proud American History, is one of my favorite American Revolutionary stories ;-)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 12

It is important to realize here and to understand that when the Gospel speaks derogatorily about {the Jews} it means self-righteous and self-important religious people – at that time, that was, {the Jews}, as NO OTHER RELIGION was recognized. Today, as then, there are some Jews … just like there are muslims, pagans, atheists, catholics, protestants, anglicans, baptists, episcopalians, methodists, pentecostals, agnostics, hindus, buddhists, ect. (the list of religious and sanctimonious hypocrites is limitless) who are opposed to Elohei, Elohim, Yeshua, The Gospel, and to Christians; and will do whatever they can to bring it all to an end: silly people. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ELOHEI AND HAS NOT ACCEPTED YESHUA AS SAVIOR is pretty much akin to {the Jews} in thought and action.

Elohim does not want a religious organization in His Family – He wants people in His Family that LOVE HIM and HONOR YESHUA and HIS CHURCH (which, by the way, is NOT a building or a specific congregation); The Church is the Body of Believers in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, saved, sealed, sanctified, and SET APART FOR ELOHIM. At the time of this accounting, THAT WAS the Jews, whom Elohim had set apart for Himself clear back in Genesis. Generations LATER, He would graft The Church into that “set apart” Family.

For generations, Jews have been persecuted and killed for “being the killers of Christ”. That is ludicrous! The FIRST CHURCH WAS FUNDAMENTALLY BIRTHED BY THE JEWISH GOD AND COMPRISED 99% WITH JEWS!

I speak all this to drive home the point that it was not specifically {the Jews} that persecuted Yeshua or The Church, though SOME Jews were certainly behind the harassment and violence towards Yeshua, the Apostles, and The Believers, who ARE The Church. It is important that people understand the context behind the text of the Scripture they are reading … or misusing as a club. Today there are those who call themselves Christians who ARE NOW behaving like sanctimonious religious idiots; PERSECUTING, HARRASSING, AND BRINGING VIOLENCE ONTO The Church – as well as bad-mouthing Elohim’s chosen People, the Jews.

DON’T BE LIKE THEM!

Or you WILL end like them …

Be wise.

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 12

At that time king Herod used his authority to persecute the members of The Church. Thus he killed James, the brother of John, with a sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he took a next step and set out to lay hold of Simon Peter, too. It happened during the festival of Unleavened Bread. He had him arrested and put into prison. Then he appointed 4 detachments of soldiers, with 4 in each detachment, to stand guard over him, with the idea of presenting him to the people after the Passover.

So Simon Peter was in prison and well-guarded. And meanwhile The Church was at prayer, making fervent intersessions to Elohei in his behalf. But the night. But the night before Herod planned to bring him out, he lay sleeping between 2 soldiers, bound with 2 chains. Outside the doors, sentries guarded the prison. Then suddenly an angel of Adonai appeared near him and alight illuminated the building. The angel slapped Simon Peter in his side to rouse him and said, “Hurry and get up!” Thereupon the chains dropped from his hands. The angel spoke to him again, “Put on your belt and shoes.” He did so. Once more he spoke to him, “Now put on your coat and follow me.” He followed him out, but he did not realize that what was taking place with the angel’s help was real and not just a vision. They passed one guard, then a 2^nd guard and reached the iron gate that leads out of the city, and that swung wide open to them of its own accord. They passed through this gate and, as soon as they had gone up one street, the angle left him.

“Now I know”, said Simon Peter to himself, “the Adonai Yeshua for a fact did send His angel to deliver me out of Herod’s hands, and from all the things that the Jewish people expected to see. Then, after thinking it over, he set out for the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Many were assembled at her place, engaged in prayer.

After Simon Peter had knocked at the door of the porch, a girl named Rhoda went to answer the knock. She recognized the voice of Simon Peter but she did not at once open the door, for she was so glad that she ran back in to report that Simon Peter was standing outside at the porch. ‘You are crazy!’ they said to her. But she insisted that it was so. And Simon Peter kept on knocking. So they opened up for him, and they were dumbfounded! Then Simon Peter made a signal for them to remain silent, after which he told them how Adonai Yeshua had delivered him from the prison. And he added, “Tell it to James and the brethren.” He then took his departure for another place.

At daybreak there was a great stir among the soldiers, as to what had become of Simon Peter. Herod set out to find him but failed; so, after having questioned the keepers, he gave orders to have them put to death. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea to stay for a time.

There was bitter hostility between Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon. But their country was dependent on his for its supplies, so they made friends with Blastus, the king’s household steward, and approached the king in a body, asking for peace. On the appointed day, Herod, dressed in his royal robe, sat on his throne and began to make a speech to them. The people started to applaud, shouting, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man!’ Then the angel of Adonai Yeshua struck him down with a deadly disease because he did not give Elohei the glory; and he died, eaten by worms.

The Word of Elohei kept growing stronger and spreading out widely. When they had carried out their relief work, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John Mark.

**ACTS 10 & 11: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters.html