Sunday, April 14, 2013
Stephen’s Discourses (continued)
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (7:9-22):
“The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into slavery in Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him from all his afflictions. He granted him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, who put him in charge of Egypt and of his entire household. Then a famine and great affliction struck all Egypt and Canaan, and our ancestors could find no food; but when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there a first time. The second time, Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob, inviting him and his whole clan, seventy-five persons; and Jacob went down to Egypt. And he and our ancestors died and were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor at Shechem.
“When the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise that God pledged to Abraham, the people had increased and become very numerous in Egypt, until another king who knew nothing of Joseph came to power in Egypt. He dealt shrewdly with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to expose their infants, that they might not survive. At this time Moses was born, and he was extremely beautiful. For three months he was nursed in his father’s house; but when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds.”
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I thank all those who sent me donations to help me with my debts. I will soon need more heating oil. It snowed yesterday and it will snow again today. I hope this will be the last snowfall.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“If you suffer at times then suffer together with Me, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters, who live in union with Me. Look at Joseph in the Old Testament and all the Jews who were in slavery in Egypt. They suffered very much for many years. How many infants were killed at the command of the Egyptians because they were afraid of the Jews. If they became too numerous, they might rebel against their masters. Our Heavenly Father brought forth Moses who was the one chosen to bring the Jews out of Egypt back into their promise land.
“I am like Moses, as I am the one who brought you out of slavery to sin and into the freedom of My Kingdom. As the Jews followed Moses into the desert and finally to Israel, so you in turn must follow Me on the road to heaven. Accept all My teachings and open your heart to Me to receive the strength you need and the graces to reach the Promise Land. I bless you all and I am calling you to follow in My steps every day.”
Father Melvin