Raye Nelson 40,40,40

Raye Nelson

2:28pm Apr 6

40, 40, 40; 2 Chronicles 7:14
I have been reciting this passage for over twenty years, yet it stirs me every time I read it. This is is like a fountain bubbling over with water; every time you take a dip, there is more left than what you drew out. I could preach from this passage all the year long and when I finish, the verse will still be crying,"Say more!"because it sets before us principles to practice as we plan to prosper on our spiritual pilgrimage. Whenever you see the number 40 is the Bible, it indicates there is a period of probation, a period of testing, or a period of trials. This verse contains 40 words. The number 40 is is scattered throughout the Old and New testaments. Samuel, Solomon, and David each had a 40 year reign. Moses spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness. Jacod waited until he was 40 years old before he took a bride. Jonah went to Nineved and gave the Ninevites a 40-day probation to repent of their sins. Ezekiel lay on his right side 40 days as protest against Judah. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and afterward He was tempted by the devil. He died, rose, and spent another 40 days on planet Earth before He caught the cloud to go back home. The verse begins with If ; that is possibility. My people; that is personal. Which are called by name; that's paternal. Shall humble themselves; that's preparation. Pray; that's power. Seek my face; that's a privilege. Turn from their wicked ways; that's progress. Then will l hear from heaven; that's procedure. Forgive their sins; that's pardon. Heal their land; that's prosperity. Forty days, forty words packed into one verse.

The Mystery of Faith

Mon Apr 1

Psalms 93 98 66

Jonah 2:1-9

Acts 2:14, 22-32

John 14:1-14

Daily Scripture Readings
Easter Season, 2013, Year 1

http://www.crivoice.org/easter1.html

Peter addresses the crowd. Peter, the rock on whom Christ said his church would be built, is the first to do so after Pentecost. Peter stands with the eleven. He raises his voice and each person gathered in the temple courts hears what Peter says in his and hers own mother tongue.

Peter says, “Listen to what I have to say.  Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.”

The mystery of faith declared. On this statement hangs the whole gospel, believed and proclaimed.

Peter, speaking for the eleven, understands why his heart is not troubled. Everything Jesus said is true. He has died. The world was witness to death on the cross. He has risen. Even the soldiers, both Roman and Jewish, saw the stone rolled away from the tomb they guarded. The tomb was empty. Many witnessed they had seen him.

Jesus promised he was going ahead to prepare a place for all who believed. For those who believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He promised to come again.

How many people over the next 2000 years would be persecuted and martyred, and yet like Peter and the other disciples who walked and talked with Jesus, were willing to die rather than renounce their belief in the mystery of faith.

In the past century, more have been martyred for their faith in Jesus as savior and ruler of their lives.  They go to their deaths breaking forth into joyous song. Singing a new song from an ancient text.  “The Lord is king, He is robed in majesty. He is the creator, the sustainer, and the rescuer.”

They believed Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. They, like all many in the temple courts, heard the mystery proclaimed. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

Are you ready and willing to share what you know to be true? Are you ready and willing to keep your faith, even to death? Are you ready and willing to kneel in the belly of the whale, in the prisons of the enemies, on the sands of time, singing songs of thanksgiving and praise? Is your belief simple enough to sustain you?

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.