"Happy Times (9)" for Friday, 9 June 2017 - Deaf Devo - The Deaf Mission in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States - Bible Reading: Acts 3:1-10

"Happy Times (9)" for Friday, 9 June 2017 - Deaf Devo - The Deaf Mission in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States - Bible Reading: Acts 3:1-10  Acts 3:1 One afternoon at three o’clock, the hour of minchah prayers, as Kefa and Yochanan were going up to the Temple, 2 a man crippled since birth was being carried in. Every day people used to put him at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, so that he could beg from those going into the Temple court. 3 When he saw Kefa and Yochanan about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 But they stared straight at him; and Kefa said, “Look at us!” 5 The crippled man fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Kefa said, “I don’t have silver, and I don’t have gold, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua of Natzeret, walk!” 7 And taking hold of him by his right hand, Kefa pulled him up. Instantly his feet and ankles became strong; 8 so that he sprang up, stood a moment, and began walking. Then he entered the Temple court with them, walking and leaping and praising God! 9 Everyone saw him walking and praising God. 10 They recognized him as the same man who had formerly sat begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were utterly amazed and confounded at what had happened to him.   ------- In Bible times it was a custom for some people to sit by the gates of the Temple and beg. Some of these people had physical problems that kept them from being able to work.  Our Bible Reading tells us about a crippled man who came to the Temple every day. One day Peter and John were there. The crippled man expected them to give him money. Instead, Peter said (verse 6), "I don't have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth - stand up and walk!"  Peter lifted the man up and immediately "his feet and legs became strong" (verse 7b). Our Bible verses do not say that the man was happy. But they do tell us that the man was jumping and praising God. I think that the man was very happy!  God does many wonderful things for you every day. Think about those things today and be happy! "He jumped up, stood on his feet,  and began to walk...He was walking and jumping and praising God."  [Acts 3:8]  PRAYER: God, You bless me in so many ways. Thank You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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"Happy Times (8)" for Thursday, 8 June 2017 - Deaf Devo - The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States - Bible Reading: Acts 2:42-47 

Acts 2:⁴² They continued faithfully in the teaching of the emissaries, in fellowship, in breaking bread and in the prayers. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many miracles and signs took place through the emissaries. ⁴⁴ All those trusting in Yeshua stayed together and had everything in common; ⁴⁵ in fact, they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need. ⁴⁶ Continuing faithfully and with singleness of purpose to meet in the Temple courts daily, and breaking bread in their several homes, they shared their food in joy and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having the respect of all the people. And day after day the Lord kept adding to them those who were being saved. 
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Some of my happiest memories are of times when I have been with other Christians - fellowship meals, summer camps and Bible studies. 

Our Bible verses today tell us about Christians in the church in Jerusalem. These people ate together, prayed together, studied with the apostles and shared everything they had. Verse 46b says, "They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts." 
Wow! These Christians were probably facing times of persecution. Their family members, friends and people they worked with couldn't understand why they were following Jesus. These new Christians could have been sad and upset. Instead, they were happy and joyful! 
Be happy when you have opportunities to study and share with other Christians. Thank God for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

"The believers praised God and were respected by all the people. More and more people were being saved every day, and the Lord was adding them to their group." [Acts 2:47]

PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for times of fellowship with other Christians. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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"Happy Times (7)" for Wednesday, 7 June 2017 - Deaf Devo - The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States - Bible Reading: Matthew 28:1-10  Matthew 28:1 After Shabbat, as the next day was dawning, Miryam of Magdala and the other Miryam went to see the grave. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of Adonai came down from heaven, rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified at him that they trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Yeshua, who was executed on the stake. 6 He is not here, because he has been raised — just as he said! Come and look at the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell the talmidim, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and now he is going to the Galil ahead of you. You will see him there.’ Now I have told you.”8 So they left the tomb quickly, frightened yet filled with joy; and they ran to give the news to his talmidim. 9 Suddenly Yeshua met them and said, “Shalom!” They came up and took hold of his feet as they fell down in front of him. 10 Then Yeshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to go to the Galil, and they will see me there.” ------- Several times in my life, someone has told me that something will happen. But when it actually happens, I am shocked and amazed. That's what happened with the women who went to the tomb where Jesus was buried.  When the women arrived at the tomb, there was an earthquake and an angel appeared. The angel told the women, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would" (verse 5b). Jesus had told His followers that He would die and be alive again. But when it really happened, they were amazed!  Verse 8 of our Bible Reading says that when the women left the tomb, they were afraid but very happy. They were happy because Jesus had died, but then He was alive! You can be happy today, too. Jesus died for you, and He came alive for you! That should make you very happy!  "The angels told them Jesus was alive! So some of our group went to the tomb too. It was just as the women said. They saw the tomb,  but they did not see Jesus."  [Luke 24:23b-24] PRAYER: God, I am so happy that Jesus is alive! Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name. Amen.   Watch latest Deaf Devo in ASL on:  Website  |  YouTube  |  Facebook  |  App

Deaf Missions 21199 Greenview Road Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503, United States

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