Rembrandt's Stoning of Stephen

⁵⁴ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; ⁵⁶ and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. ⁵⁸ When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁶⁰ Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he ^[ag]fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60

Here we see the great artist, Rembrandt, painting of the "Stoning of Stephen" a christian martyr.  He painted this picture during his life time in early 1600s.  A biblical and historical documented religious story, as Rembrandt painted it capturing a moment in time past.

Interesting, it may be very valid today, in the fact, we see and hear this type of verbal rock throwing today in our time, presently at this blog post writing, 2019. How long will be be for the verbal to become physical?? ( just because many do not understand??)

 Well, the Gospel message and the Words of GOD have challenged the wise and unwise for many centuries. The Romans, Greeks and Egyptians just to name a few.   Also, the Humanist and agnostics of our day. And why fight it!! The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ is a bright shining light for the unbeliever and unbelieving world. It's a ray of hope, help and happiness.  

The Apostle Paul said to the Romans;
¹⁵ So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed ^[j]from faith to faith; as it is written, “^[k]But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:15-17
  And then to the Corinthians;
 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the ^[o]message preached to save those who believe. ²² For indeed Jews ask for ^[p]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach ^[q]Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 COR 1:18-25

So my prayer to you is this, that you would seek first GOD and His righteousness, call on His name to be saved.

May GOD bless you,
Rev Dan

Rembrandt's biblical scene

Rembrandt is generally considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art and the most important in Dutch art history. Rembrandt's portraits of his contemporaries, self-portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible are regarded as his greatest creative triumphs. (copied and paste from Wikipedia) Just giving credit where credit is due.


Here we see a picture of Rembrandt's painting of Moses and the Ten Commandments. He lived during the early 1600s AD but was moved to paint scenes from the bible.

Moses was called, chosen and was a champion of GOD.  GOD had called him at Mt Sinai and there GOD appeared to Moses and later gave him the Ten Commandments. Which, we must realize was GOD's words for his people and mankind.


The children of Israel was in bad bondage in Egypt, under an ungodly king, as he made God's people to suffer in laborious tasks.  They need a lord to lead them out, lead them to a land and a law to live by in their life. God gave them a leader, law and a land to live in.


Are we so different today, now. We live under a worldly system, many times it is anti-God. Truth and right are challenged daily.  And just as the children of Israel, we need a Lord to lead us out. Actually, to lead you and I out of  this worldly bondage.  We need a law, GOD's word to live by and a land, a Heavenly land to go to one day, a promised land, see John 14.  We need a LORD, Law and a land, this is through Jesus Christ.


Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly John 10:10
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; see John 1:1-3


My friend now is the accepting time, today is the day of salvation. For whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For with the heart we believes and with mouth confession is made. Do not wonder about this, but heed the call today.

Only trust Him, only trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you now.


May GOD bless you,
RevDan

Kairos moment

Kairos (Ancient Greek: καιρός) is an Ancient Greek word meaning the right, critical, or opportune moment


Translated as "the right time" from Ancient Greek, kairos variously refers to an "opportune presentation" in rhetoric and a "spiritual opportunity" in Christian theology.


A preacher was eating lunch with his wife and friends. There was not many people there at the restaurant but the service was very bad, it took forever to get there drink order.  Finally, the waitress came to there table. She looked sad and upset.  She asked for their drink order, but the preacher said" we about ask the blessing for our meal, do you have anything you want us to pray about??" The waitress was so surprised and tears came to her eyes and she said " yes, pray for me that I can get through this bad day ".


That prayer was at the opportune time and the waitress was thankful and helped.  Later, she got saved and joined the church. 


We need to recognize and take advantage of the opportune moment for the LORD. It could be a random act of kindness that might have an impact on a person. SO seek the moment and be alert. Ask GOD to lead you, guide and direct you.

Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. ⁵ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalms 25:4-5


Dear Friend, first GOD can lead you, guide and direct you in being saved, born again.  Just call on Him while He is near. Believed with your heart and confess with your mouth, then HE will save you.

History Jesus to King David

 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, ^[a]called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son, who was born of a ^[b]descendant of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared the Son of God with power ^[c]by the resurrection from the dead, according to the ^[d]Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship ^[e]to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; Romans 1:1-6


As the Apostle Paul opens his book to the Romans, it is very interesting that he identifies Jesus as a descendant of King David. No doubt there were those who doubted Jesus so Paul use history, documented history to prove Jesus for the secular world and then explain for the spiritual world he declares Jesus is the Son of God. But notice here this image showing how Jesus is a descendant.

Really Matthew shows how  Jesus is a descendant of David on his father side and then Luke shows how he is a descendant on his mother's side. See the Book of Matthew and the book of Luke in the bible, GOD's word in the New Testament.


GOD became a man, in the person of Jesus Christ, as Jesus came down from heaven, just as the manna came down from Heaven while the children of Israel was in desert wilderness, it was a great miracle then and is same great miracle when Jesus came down from heaven to dwell and live among His people.


Friend, the documented history is there and what more can we say. Jesus' message and miracles are documented. His crucifixion and resurrection both documented in history.  Not a fairy tale and not fantasy for it's written in the word of GOD, the bible for ALL to see.


Greater love no man than this, that a man laid down His life for His friends, really for ALL who would believe and yet He died for all.

Now is the accepting time, now, as you ponder the wonder of Jesus, you could accept Him today by calling on Him. Confess and believe.

Rev Dan

See Him Lifted up

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross] John 3:14


The "lifting" up of Christ in His crucifixion on the cross.


At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,
and the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there, by faith, I received my sight,
And now I am Happy all the day.

 But what does bible (God's word) say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13




May God Bless you,
REVDAN

He has appeared to you

 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs ^[a]according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

GOD's great love and kindness has appeared ( shown forth) seen by ALL mankind. You are a witness to this fact today as you read this blog spot. But really He has appeared to YOU in many ways and at different times.

GOD wants to save you, deliver you from sins. For He is not looking for your good works or good deeds which you may have done in times past, no way, but He wants to save you according to His mercy, His great mercy. His love for you is unmerited, not any thing you could do, but Believe on His dear son Jesus Christ.  This same Jesus came down from heaven, God became man. He was birthed into this world, having a human mother, Mary. He was born a baby, grew as a child, became a man.  He became that prophet and teacher.  Called twelve disciples, then seventy and many others. He appeared before the Roman leaders of the land and they found no fault in Him. But His own Jewish people crucified Him and He died on a Roman's wooden cross, for me and YOU !!

The bible, GOD's word says "Today is the day of Salvation" Now is the accepting time, call on Him while He is near. And start that NEW life with GOD.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.  It will be healing to your flesh  and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8

Only trust Him, only Trust Him now, for He will hear you and saved you now.


May God Bless you ALL,
RevDan

ALL made of GOD

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well. Psa. 139:14

As humans, we are wonderfully made by our LORD GOD. We were birthed as a man or woman, male or female, and what GOD has made let not man change of a natural person.


In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, male and female. The man, male first, then He saw man should not abide alone, GOD created female, from the rib of man.


GOD had a plan for life and He provided a way for us.


GOD will give light, enlighten you, show you the way, only trust in Him.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will (direct) make your paths straight.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.⁸ It will be healing to your body Proverbs 3:5-8


Call on the LORD, while He is near, as you are reading this blog post, Jesus is knocking on your Hearts door, answer Him and let Him in. For whosever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved, for with the heart man believes and with mouth confession is made unto salvation. Marvel not, do not wonder, but realize you must be born again.
 
May I present JESUS to you.