As the Church of Jesus grew in the early years, the leaders thought and prayed about the link that they had with their Jewish ancestors.  They asked:  “Did persons who didn’t have Jewish parents and grandparents have to go do the same things that Jewish people do? “No,” they answered.  Today’s reading describes a big meeting in Jerusalem when they talked about all this.  The speech of Peter is a summary of their discussions.

The Holy Spirit was present as the Church of Jesus grew—at the big moments and the small ones too.  As you grow, you too will be facing decisions to be made.  The same Holy Spirit will be with you at every moment, whether the decisions are small or big.  Isn’t this a thought that brings you lots of comfort?

Acts 15:1-12

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Example from v. 8
“O Jesus, You know my heart.”

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet! Check the menu options at the site for more information.

The sacred writer of this psalm is so happy, he explodes with expressions of wonder and gratitude for all that God has done in God’s creation.  The psalmist looks around at his beautiful world and finds God to be the artist.

If you pray this psalm in a way that has you enter into the joy of these words, when you come to your own life, you too will be filled with thanksgiving for all that God has done for you.  Just as the writer of this psalm, make a list of the blessings that you have received.  Even the things that might not seem at first to be blessings, because of something you suffered—even these can become blessings from God because of what we can learn about life and what God is teaching us through these events.   The wonderful thing about learning from God is the feeling of being linked to God that this learning brings!

Psalm 65

Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from v. 1
“God, in silence I praise You.”

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet! Check the menu options at the site for more information.