Acts 5:12-26 ~ signs and wonders

Acts 5:12-26

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.


17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.


We've had multitudes in the news lately, but not the signs and wonders of hope. Instead we've had riots all over the world. An Oxford don was quoted as saying the Church of England has played a part in the riots in the UK because the faithful have turned our faith into a personal matter so personal it is not for public display, consumption, or even a light flickering in the wind.

Yesterday, we looked at David's children undergoing all that a king or a peasant would not want. In the plentiful abundance of life or the riots of the needy and the hopeless.

Can you imagine yourselves being a rioter? I can. I once, at the age of 6, joined all my neighborhood children help tear down a lovely home being carefully constructed over an empty lot with a creek. We had enjoyed the lot, with huge Willow trees and large rocks. It was always shady and you would always meet more kids seeking relief from the Texas summer. We were looters and rioters. As we all carried home a chunk of the building materials, I told this group of little kids, teenagers and tweens, we'd had fun. We should do more things together. Everyone agreed. Maybe softball.

The builders of the home hired a guard to protect the property; my three other six-year-old friends and I became very good friends with the kindly, elderly man. After a few weeks, the man asked us did we know who had looted. All 3 little blond heads said no. The man explained to us that it was wrong and it had been an expensive vandalism. I went home to discuss it with my mother.

She said she remembered the board I had dragged home, didn't I put it back. I said yes, we didn't really have a need for a board. She asked me how many teenagers had been involved and I said every kid in the neighborhood had been there. She said something to the effect she knew teenagers were behind it all. I said not really, everyone showed up, for something to do.

Adults were told to look in their backyard for building materials. Some materials returned. It never happened again, even later when more houses were built.

Was it the fault of the churches? No. It took parents willing to talk to other parents. It look some frank discussions.

The media is interested if the looters joined up on Twitter or Blackberry. More profitable by far, would be better to ask who is using Social Media against the looting.

One UK barber is elderly and his barber shop is completely looted. No more chairs, tools or front windows. He has said he is destitute and how will he stay off becoming an old age pensioner relying upon the overtaxed welfare system? How will he rebuild? The local Church, named St. Mary's, has asked everyone trying to help the situation to bring food, tools and supplies. The Vicar of St. Mary's isn't a Vicar. St. Mary's hasn't had a large enough congregation to staff a Vicar. The man of God asking for the help is a Supply Vicar (traveling). How has the tiny congregation responded? For the last 3-4 days they have continuously been able to feed the people who are homeless due to fire and to help take care of them. Signs and wonders are still available.

Light of Jesus Christ - Shine.



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2 Samuel 13:23-39 ~ news came to David

David's Palace is circled on the lower right side of this map of Jerusalem

Israel rural wilderness






David's Palace was built using Phoenician architecture, drawing by Eilat Mazar




View from David's Palace - artistic rendition

Phoenician Column found in David's Palace


View looking outside from David's Palace archaeological dig


View of Old City Jerusalem Today Views from David's Palace archaeological dig

Views from David's Palace archaeological dig. Kidron Valley. As if you were looking from David's window.



Looking into David's Palace Excavation, before the roof was put over it


Looking at the David Palace Excavation currently

Biblical Archaeological Review Magazine did a great article.
http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/king-davids-palace.asp Many More Archaeological Artifacts are Found and Displayed in The Link.

2 Samuel 13:23-39

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.

30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.

37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.

Professor Eilat Mazar, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says she has found King David's Palace from looking in the biblical description of the geography. How creditable is Eilat Mazar? Her father, Benjamin Mazar, was considered a leading Israeli historian, long recognized as about the top of biblical archaeologists. He founded the Hebrew University's new campus at Givat Ram, Hadasah Medical School and the Hospital at Ein Karem, which led the academic development to being held as one of the leading universities of the world.

Ms. Eilat Mazar is heading the Shalom Center's Institute of Archeology. And she is the niece of Israel's second and only three-term President, Yitzhak Ben Zvi. She is a third generation archaeologist.


Today we love reading all about David & learning about the man anointed of God. What did Absalom learn from living with King David? Patience. David waited patiently for God to act. Absalom, with revenge and hate in his heart, turned patience into stealth.

We live in a time when sometimes the media mocks Christian values. David was living his worst nightmare, his virtues and his sins, were being mirrored back at him. David led men to become better. David forgave men turning their back on him during his exile years. David did not kill Saul's sons - 3 were killed in battle. Saul's sons, by his concubine, were giving to the Gibeonites to prevent war and, later, David had their bones gathered up after their mother continued to protect their remains.

In a day of violence, perhaps Absalom saw David's quest to be kind to Saul (as a King of Israel), and Saul's legitimate children, while not kind at all to Saul's concubine's children as hypocrisy. David, after all, had several wives because his first wife was taken back by her father, Saul. David never did have children with his first wife.

Nathan, the prophet, told David sin would fall upon his household for killing Bathsheba's husband and committing adultery. Without trust, everyone begins to watch out for their own plans and self-interests. David's nephew, Jonadab, discusses the murderous plot before the messenger arrives. Jonadab also told Amnon how to maneuver David's daughter into a rape situation.

David, for the first time, as he ages, seems to be more interested in his comfort than treating his children in a righteous manner. Maybe David feels all he does to try to help his children is futile. Rape seemingly unpunished. A daughter's future left to what? Murder forgiven to hold a murderer to his affections and trust. Absalom set up for murder by David's General Joab. David seems completely unaware of the plotting around him. For all of the intrigue, it is still in God's hands to fulfill His plans for David.

David is older, he has more guilt, he has more responsibilities, he works to grow God's Israel and has fallen down in his ability to father those who need him most.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Psalm 118
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

Life has stages of victory and defeat, we never rest in one place. Yet redemption from God, our Father, when we rest in Him, is assured victory.



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Acts 6 ~ obedient to the faith

"No foreigner is to enter within the balustrade and embankment around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death which follows." Both Greek (above and there are 2 Greek signs discovered) and Latin versions of this warning were posted at regular intervals around the balustrade).The engraved block of limestone is about 22 inches high by 33 inches long. Each letter was nearly 1 1/2 inches high and originally painted with red ink against the white limestone. Part of another sign was unearthed in 1936. Currently locatated in the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul, Turkey. It is a fairly well-known and understood archaeological find, labeled CIJ 2.1400

Rather more obscure is CIJ 2.1404 The Theodotus Inscription. Not all of the Second (or First) Temple is completely understood. 75 centimeters long.
The Theodotus inscription (CIJ 2.1404) was discovered in a Jerusalem cistern by R. Weill in 1913. It dates to the first century AD prior to the Temple's destruction. Significantly, the inscription reveals that three generations of priests served as the "rulers of the synagogue" (archisynagôgoi - the Greek word) mentioned in the dedication. Translation:

Theodotus, (son) of Vettenus, priest and
archisynagôgos, son of an archisynagôgos,
grandson of an archisynagôgos, built
the synagogue for the reading of the law and
the teaching of the commandments, and
the guest-chamber and the rooms and the
water installations for lodging for those needing them
from abroad, which his fathers, the elders
and Simonides founded

The area, above, is the larger map with the area pointing to the pool where the stone was found. The area C2 is where the stone was located, below in the larger map.
1913 photo of the discovery. Along with the inscription, additional artifacts were found in the cistern. They had been deliberately deposited there. Perhaps one of the members of the congregation, or someone who had received from their hospitality, planned to return to the site after the destruction of Jerusalem and buried the remains of the building, hoping to reconstruct it someday.


Acts 6

Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists [Greek-speaking Jews] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, [brothers and sisters] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.



All of these people being obedient to the faith - until it comes to power, jealousy, and seeking to kill Stephen. Preceding the lies and the plots to kill, we saw in Acts 5 multitudes have come to the Temple. The Theodotus Inscription describes itself as a Synagogue having a worship place and lodging place for foreigners. Acts 5 had the disciples moving directly into Solomon's Porch, part of the Temple Mount. Acts 6 describes them in the Foreigners Freedman Synagogue.

This is overlooked. Not only did the disciples convert like a rocket - from hiding while the women go to anoint Jesus' body, but they are so bold, they are holding religious services openly as part of the Synagogue place reserved for Gentiles and doing service for Christ in the actual Temple. How did they have this boldness.... incredible.... priests were being converted.

Doesn't the statue say something about this? This is Glenna Goodacre's statue, not of Stephen, but the joy these men had to carry on Jesus' words and works. Jesus was tried at night by the High Priests, stripped, beaten almost to death, paraded, yet not destroyed. Even Josephus, the Judean General who switched sides to Rome to become the historian to 3 Emperors, wrote the Christians didn't disband after their Christ was killed. " After the Crucifixion of Jesus, James the brother of Jesus became the leader of the Jewish sect that would become known as Jewish Christianity. James "the Just", remained its leader until he was martyred c.62 AD."

Paul was the last of the men referred to as disciples to see the Resurrected Jesus. He proclaimed. John wrote 16 times of the Glory of Jesus. Peter wrote of the Glory. Sometimes today, we forget how the obscure death of one Man, who died for our sins, rocked the planet in just a few years. In less than 16 years, Emperors of the Roman Empire were bent on destroying all the people they could lay hands on for worshiping the Son of God.

1 Timothy 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory!

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Romans 8:22-39 ~ it is God who justifies

Romans 8:22-39

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good [God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good], for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How much does God help us? Here it says, the Holy Spirit of God helps us.

What did the people who had seen Jesus say about the willingness of God:

Peter wrote saying Jesus does not help us under compulsion. He helps willingly.

1 Peter 5:2
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.

Peter once knelt before Jesus and asked Him to leave after seeing Jesus act on God's glory. Peter saw Jesus Resurrected and jumped out the boat, knowing Peter had betrayed Jesus. Peter wasn't just physically fed breakfast, Peter was asked to be part of God's love and work. Jesus justified Peter and forgave his weaknesses.


John lived with Jesus. John says God lavishes His love on us:

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

John fully lived most of his adult life knowing he was adopted by Jesus. Changing his life for the great love, the glory, John wrote of 18 times in his Gospel written with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew wrote:

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Jesus saw past the Temple Priests being picked by Herod and knew the Tax Collectors were just as much under Roman authority. Matthew, a son of Alpheus was from the Capernaum area - an upwardly mobile Jew working for the despised Romans. Matthew was so thrilled to be chosen by Jesus, Matthew didn't throw Jesus a party, Matthew gave Jesus a feast. Matthew brought every tax collector and thug (sinner) he could. Matthew was in awe at the forgiveness of God.

Mark 12:31
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Paul, as were all the disciples of Jesus, was sent out two by two. Paul loved Barnabas and really did not like Barnabus' cousin John Mark. Mark would go on to take the Word of God all over the world, through the centuries. We read the Gospel John Mark wrote as he matured in the Lord. What help John Mark grow? Barnabas was willing to love John Mark as himself. Only the Holy Spirit living in the people who had loved Jesus helped this man grow in the Lord.

Who was Jude? The brother of Jesus. The one who taunted Jesus to run up to Jerusalem to proclaim Jesus' ministry and later went to claim Him to come home and recover from being out of His mind. Jude - had his mother, Mary, given to John. Not in unkindness, but Jesus knew:

1 Corinthians 9:5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?

What was Jude's point of view on God's love?

Jude 1:2
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

And James, the brother of Jesus:

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

And Luke, the evangelist who wrote with the Holy Spirit the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He is believed by many theologians to have been one of the 70 Jesus sent ahead of him because he uses the word "we" so many times. A second century historian wrote of Luke, "Luke, a native of Anticoh, by profession a physician. He had become a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his [Paul's] martyrdom. Having served the Lord continuously, unmarried and without children, filled with the Holy Spirit he died at the age of 84 years."

Luke started out with an historical account of Jesus and bursts forth with prayer, joyfulness and more stories of the extreme compassion of Jesus. Historians love Luke for his attention to detail.

Luke 10:27
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke, as a physician, knew where priorities were placed in the nitty gritty of life and death. It is the Gospel of Luke recording so many times Jesus' compassion was lavished upon women.

Luke 2:46-50

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

Look what Jesus does for the weak and the needy in the Gospel of Luke, we hear about Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist, with the mute priest husband. We see Anna in the Temple meeting the infant Jesus. Shepherds have angels come to tell the least prosperous, rural people of the Good News. Jesus starts after calling His disciples with healing a leper and a paralytic, a man with a withered hand. Clearly Luke has a hero and it is Jesus.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior


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Psalm 136 ~ in the Red Sea

The Glue Society created this overview image of the parting of the Red Sea and the Exodus.



Psalm 136

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Did the Children of Israel see into the depths of the Red Sea and see sea life? Did it cascade backwards like a waterfall? Did it create a noise? Was it silent?

The Children of Israel were afraid. You know it. They were always afraid God would change His mind and they would dehydrate, starve, cook to death or be destroyed by war. They just didn't relax. The Second Exodus from Babylon happened as a miracle, what king gives his slaves back their land, and their Temple Tools? Other than the Ipuwer Papyrus there isn't any proof. (Although the Babylonian Exodus has extremely impressive archeological evidence of Jeconiah - cursed by Jeremiah).

Which Exodus would you rather live during - the first or the second?

We believe in the eyes of faith. In victory, God carries us through the Red Sea. In exile, God declares His Word and makes His people fruitful. In hope, we wait expectantly for the victory.

Help us Father God, to rest in Your peace in all circumstances. Your steadfast love endures forever!!



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Psalm 85 ~ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 85

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.

4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.

Last night our Church had our first Wednesday service of the summer to pray and repent, for ourselves, for the upcoming Response - a non-denominational prayer event, August 6th. Seeking God's mercy and guidance for troubling events for our country and the world. (Put on by Governor Rick Perry.)

Yesterday I had a phone call from a friend asking why her neighbors are a mess (in the way they behave towards one another) and friends too. I thought of all the people I know and very few seem to be untouched these days. And a Christian blog I read was saying how painfully the Church doesn't strive to be an equal place of respect for the poor and the rich. With lack of courtesy and neglect that bites into a soulful sorrow. Then an email from a long-time ago, dear friend asking why I would want to attend a prayer meeting when the outlandish right wing evangelicals support it. And fear... this will become a powerful new fascism. And then hearing from someone else this is just a Governor Perry political bid, no way he'd attend.

And I thought about the left wing claiming to be all the "Houston Clergy" denouncing a prayer meeting. They aren't all that large. It seems to be mostly one very liberal church listing as many people they could claim as clergy.

The word that comes to mind is this. Wow. This prayer meeting causes a lot of upset. In a time of trouble.

So, our Minister, Clark, said that a lot of 2 Chronicles 11, 12 and 13 is going to be read at The Response. And Clark wanted to talk about it. The people and King Solomon were in the midst of celebrating God's Glory filling the brand new Temple. The people and King Solomon spent a lot of the passages praising God. Then God says trouble will come. Nations will collapse. Economies will crumble. But the Temple is where you come to know you have refuge in God. The world was created to have difficulties in this life. In the midst of strife, there is always a place for you to go. To God. To the one who cares where you will be for eternity. To the one who cares what happens to you in this life and how you feel about your life. To the one who says cast aside your own troubles and care for others as He cares for you.

Repent. Re-connect to God. Re-new. Have Hope.

Psalm 108:13
With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


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Deuteronomy 26:1-15 ~ He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey

Today, a view of the Sea of Galilee

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.

5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the Lord your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’

We live in a time people are concerned with the events in the news. It is great to consider the time when God gave prosperity. Look again at what the people were willing to do for the LORD to come to this point. They were obedient to God. When the Children of Israel came to Jericho, the photos of Jericho are magnificent, yet God told them Not to remain in Jericho. God told the Children of Israel to move away from beautiful Jericho and stay in His plan.

The Children of Israel have this prosperity to rejoice in and share with God because they listened to God's direction.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God



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Galatians 4:3-7 ~ redeem those who are under the law, so that we might receive adoption

Galatians 4:3-7

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles [elemental spirits; also verse 9] of the world.

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.


How quickly did Jesus begin to work on the adoption of His beloved ones, on the way to His cross:


John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

And the first person to His tomb:

John 20:15-17
Jesus said to her (Mary Magdalene), “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”


God's timing is perfect:

Hebrews 10:37
For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay


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Matthew 14:13-21 ~ He had compassion on them

Matthew 14:13-21

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

In the midst of His day, a day filled with requests, endless ideas of what they perceive God to be, ideas of what He should be, their joy, their pain, their trouble, Jesus acted lovingly.

So much need. So many requests. With God, He will find a way.

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


Who are these people peppering Jesus with their prayer requests? It is us. Jesus as the Son of God can speak a blessing over God's provision. How can we do less?

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.



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Psalm 69 ~ deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.

Psalm 69

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck [waters threaten my life].
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
must I now restore?
5 O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
that dishonor has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother's sons.

9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled [lacks and humbled ]my soul with fasting,
it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
and the drunkards make songs about me.

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14 Deliver me
from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters.
15 Let not the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not your face from your servant;
for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
ransom me because of my enemies!

19 You know my reproach,
and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you.
20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.

22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
and when they are at peace, let it become a trap
[a snare, and retribution and a trap].
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
may they have no acquittal from you.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

I live in an area of the country referred to as a Bubble. Having grown up in Dallas (not the suburbs of Houston), I know for a fact many other areas of the country are also called The Bubble. Pretty houses, comfortable lawns, quiet neighborhoods, good schools. We had 24 Christian Churches come together for a time of prayer, one Sunday in January, after several weeks of fasting to come together and pray for our peaceful community.

One of the ministers stood up and said that he and his fellow ministers often say "All is not perfect behind the trees" of our community. It would seem like it is. We have low crime. Our employment rates are reasonable. Yet we have a pretty high suicide rate and a very high motor vehicle accident rate. Probably something to do with the trees. And substance abuse. People are lonely. I can tell as I walk through my community, the houses are well cared for, but not bustling with friends visiting as I grew up seeing.

How are you? I'm fine. I suppose it's polite and better than not speaking, but. .

Today is a beautiful summer day. And Psalm 69 comes as something different than my peaceful day. But I tell you what, I really appreciate the fact that this Psalm is Real. This is a man who had seen Trouble. Not a careful God-given access to the best life-events-schools-skills elevator.

David says that all the people skills in the world will not make life smooth all the time.

Can you imagine going to the Tabernacle with the rest of Israel to worship, after David is King and hearing this poetry/worship/reality as part of worship? I think people would be rather shocked. I remember when Jimmy Carter was elected, people were shocked he was not going to go by James Carter or Jim Carter.

David says it just doesn't matter, in depth, if you are up or down in life. He says life will revolve both ways for all of us. David says what is important is knowing God loves you. The promises of God are for you. David says regardless of what you own and what owns you, you are in wisdom, happiness, and good favor when you know God holds you in His promises. Paul agreed. Paul said when we look at trouble as temporary and look to see what God will do with these things to His glory, we find the happiness that can be elusive. God agrees, the Holy Spirit breathing out Scripture.

David says being at ease can be a trap. David found this out himself. Paul said to find contentment in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you


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Other Scripture for Today Blogspot readings on Psalm 69
February 4, 2011


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