Bible Study- our journey with god!

may our bible studies bring a new year filled
with the
graces of the Holy Spirit
bringing us closer to His mysteries.


eddy--very inspiring---thank you

Acts 19 – 20

“Harden not your hearts”

“And entering into the synagogue he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God” Acts 19:8. It is interesting to note that in spite of Paul’s sustained and prolonged efforts above there was still some of the hardened heart who not only refused to believe their selves but derided and mocked the way of the Lord before the multitude. And what was Paul’s reaction to them? He simply departed from them and went elsewhere. Jesus Himself exhorted the Apostles to do exactly that when He said “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that home or town”. Matthew 10:14 No one, not even God can reach those who don’t want to be reached. Those of the hardened, cold, and closed heart sadly forfeit their very souls having being deluded, and deceived by the wiles of Satan.

“By their fruits ye shall know them”

Amazing things are achieved however through the elect where the Holy Spirit finds a warm, welcoming heart. “And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles, So that even there was brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons and the diseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits left them” Acts 19:11-13. Amazing things indeed, and amazing things still being done to this very day I’m sure through Paul’s intercession, and wonderful writings.

“Imitating Christ”

Paul must have had a wonderful prayer life, similar I would say to that of Jesus. How else could he sustain such an exhaustive effort over such a long period? There are other parallels too between him and Christ most notably here the similarities in their farewell speeches. Paul it seems like Jesus, was fully aware of his approaching and imminent death. And like Jesus he calls his comrades together for one final meeting before his demise. At that meeting he discusses his once seemingly impossible mission which is now almost fulfilled, leaving them a superb example. He declares boldly (as only an honest soul can do) that he has served God faithfully, and in all humility, despite many tears, temptations, conspiracies etc. He then blesses and prays with those gathered telling them they will not see his face again. Jesus of course said "Now you cannot follow me where I am going, but later you shall follow me" Paul then warns them of the false teachers which will come after his death. Jesus said "Beware of false prophets who will come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves" Finally; Paul exchanges warm farewell gestures with all present, a very poignant scene indeed.

“Self-sacrificial love”

Paul, like Jesus could have spared himself but instead he marches forward and empties himself entirely. Can we do the same, or similar? I think the coming New Year is a good time to try. Personally, I think it’s time I asked Paul to be my patron saint. Perhaps then the Lord will find me too in the company of Paul along my Damascus road. I certainly hope so.

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry

Hi Roseo,

James Allen, deceased now I’m afraid, he wasn’t a Catholic as far as I know, but he was an incredible writer. I only found his material since learning how to use the Internet, and I was hooked straight away.

I actually posted my favourite audios of his at the e-mail account and password which I gave here earlier and again below for anyone who’s interested. This is not my regular e-mail address; it’s just one I created for the purpose of sharing these materials with others without anyone having to reveal their private details. You could also of course Google the following (James Allen free Library) and browse his materials for yourself.


eamondebarra@gmail.com

Password fullrosary

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry

beautiful message --eddy--whose james allen?

ch. 19 of Acts of Apostles

once again we are reminded that st. john's baptism is of repentance.............paul brings the Holy Spirit.........and a new group speaks in tongues. more miracles by paul and some try to copy by using the words, but not the heart and our punished.
here, for me is the crux, repentence of the heart, and in the heart.........prayers heartfelt...and then even in our lowly lives the Holy Spirit comes. for He can tell the difference.

The year is passed, and blessed are they who can let its mistakes, its injuries, and wrongs pass away forever, and be remembered no more.

The past is dead and unalterable; let it sink into oblivion, but extract and retain its divine lessons; let those lessons be strength to you now, and make them the starting-points of a nobler, purer, more perfect life in the coming years. Let all thoughts of hatred, resentment, strife, and ill-will die with the dying years; erase from the tablet of your heart all malicious memories, all unholy grudges. Let the cry, "Peace on earth and good-will to men!" which at this season re-echoes through the world from myriads of lips, be to you something more than an oft-reiterated platitude. Let its truth be practiced by you; let it dwell in your heart; and do not mar its harmony and peace by thoughts of ill-will.

Blessed is he who has no wrongs to remember, no injuries to forget; in whose pure heart no hateful thought about another can take root and flourish.

James Allen

Merry Christmas, all,

Well, here I am coming in at the last minute, again.

In chapter 17, Paul, Silas and Timothy in Thesselonica, go into thj synagogue on the sabbath three different weekends. They are received well, at first. But, then the troubles start and they go to Berea. The folks there are better and they teach them. But, the Jews from Thessalonica hear where they are and come after them. So, the brethren at Berea send Paul away by sea, but Silas and Timothy remain.
Paul winds up in Athens, where he gives his famous "To the unknown god" sermon. I benefited by this sermon.
Then, two converts are named in the text and Paul leaves Athens.

In chapter 18, Paul arrives in Corinth and stays with another tent maker (Paul's trade), Pontus and his wife Priscilla. Paul preached in the synagogue every Sabbath and gained many Jewish and Gentile converts. Silas and Timothy came to him from Macedonia. But, the same old troubles started again and this time Paul said he was going to preach to the Gentiles. This is where Paul accepts the commission which Our Lord Jesus gave him.
So, Paul moved into the house of a Gentile, Titus, beside the synagogue. But, the ruler of the synagogue believed Paul and was converted.
Then, in vs 9& 10, "And the Lord said to Paul in the night, by a vision: 'Do not fear, but speak; and hold not thy peace. 10. Because I am with thee: and no man shall set upon thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city.'". And so, Paul abode there a year and a half.
There are some troubles but Paul is spared. He makes his way to Jerusalem. After which, he goes out and confirms the disciples in Galatia and Phrygia.
And, at the close of the chapter, the believer Apollo is introduced, who had preached the Baptism and he was taught of the resurrection by Aquila and Priscilla. And, Apollo was a great preacher.


So, for me, the high points of these chapters are in 17 where Paul preaches the unknown god, and in 18 where Paul declares he will preach to the Gentiles.
Also, since each time went out confirming disciples, he went out from Jerusalem, then it seems proper to think he had the approval of the other Apostles to do so.

God loves all of you, lurkers, too,
Don

Good evening, folks,

Rose, are you sure Islam's holy day doesn't start Friday sundown?

Eddy,
Anyway, you have the knack of summing things up in a nutshell.


May each of you enjoy a blessed, peaceful and safe Christmas, lurkers, too.

God loves all of you, lurkers, too,
Don

Merry Christmas to all.....
especially steadyeddy and donsnow.

i like your stick-to-it-ness..............
so where are you donsnow????????

ch. 18
here we see paul settling down to 1 1/2 yrs. in one place . but again the jews come after him and try to turn it over to gallio, a proconsul, who tells the jews...look he has committed no crime..the things he says are not a crime.
i think this is an example of someone who separted church and state. the jews were probably upset but it certainly laid the foundation for democracy as we know it.
paul goes on to his 3rd. missionary journey.

thanks for your insight --steadyeddy--
yes i did a lot of self studies of comparitive religions. not too in depth but enough to see it wasn't for me.
that was when i was much younger.
when i talk about me-ness i sort of am comparing my self to how the apostles gave up everything--changed their lifestyles and the holy spirit just took over. granted that isn't going to happen to me but often i wonder " is this something God wants me to do or something i want to do and of course i have no answer.
saying the rosary, most of the time, is something i do daily. and the divine mercy chaplet--which i sometimes wonder do i completely "trust" in God or rely on "me".
too old to enter a convent but --there and seminaries are probably close to what i mean.
where one's whole life is God's way. with what you said maybe i'm craving more of a personal relationship with God than i have now or have ever had. at any rate thanks, muchos.
and may the Holy Spirit be with you also.