Genesis 41 ~ sprouted after them

The Nile

Geneses 41 (Revised Standard Version)

[1]After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
[2] and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows sleek and fat, and they fed in the reed grass.
[3] And behold, seven other cows, gaunt and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.
[4] And the gaunt and thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
[5] And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk.
[6] And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind.
[7] And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
[8] So in the morning his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men; and Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was none who could interpret it to Pharaoh.


[9] Then the chief butler said to Pharaoh, "I remember my faults today. [10] When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, [11] we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own meaning. [12] A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard; and when we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. [13] And as he interpreted to us, so it came to pass; I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."


[14]Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
[15] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

[16] Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

[17] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile;
[18] and seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass;
[19] and seven other cows came up after them, poor and very gaunt and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt.
[20] And the thin and gaunt cows ate up the first seven fat cows,
[21] but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as gaunt as at the beginning. Then I awoke.
[22] I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good;
[23] and seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them,
[24] and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."


[25] Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dream of Pharaoh is one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [26] The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one. [27] The seven lean and gaunt cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine.


[28] It is as I told Pharaoh, God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [29] There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, [30] but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land, [31] and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of that famine which will follow, for it will be very grievous. [32] And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, and take the fifth part of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. [36] That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine which are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."

[37] This proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

[38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" [39] So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are; [40] you shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."

[41] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

[42] Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; [43] and he made him to ride in his second chariot; and they cried before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. [44] Moreover Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

[45] And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaph'enath-pane'ah; and he gave him in marriage As'enath, the daughter of Poti'phera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
[46]Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went through all the land of Egypt.

[47] During the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth abundantly, [48] and he gathered up all the food of the seven years when there was plenty in the land of Egypt, and stored up food in the cities; he stored up in every city the food from the fields around it.
[49] And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.

[50] Before the year of famine came, Joseph had two sons, whom As'enath, the daughter of Poti'phera priest of On, bore to him. [51] Joseph called the name of the first-born Manas'seh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house."
[52] The name of the second he called E'phraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

[53] The seven years of plenty that prevailed in the land of Egypt came to an end;
[54] and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. [55] When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do." [56] So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. [57] Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

It's interesting the Scripture repeats the dream twice. Even Pharaoh wants to be understood.
Pharoahs leave historical records, this is a Topographical List of the Cities:

TABLE 12
Egyptian Topographical Lists

Names	Tuthmosis III (1481 BC)	Amenhotep II (1440)	Amenhotep III (1386)	Seti I (1291)	Ramses II (1275)
Jacob-El	yes				yes
Joseph-El	yes		yes
Asher			yes	yes	yes
Yahweh			yes		yes
Shasu		yes	yes	yes	yes
Hapiru		yes		yes

1. In Ramses II's topographical list (ca.1275 BC) the place-name "Jacob-El" (#9) appears again (ANET 1969, 242; Simons 1937). The first appearance was in Thutmose III's list. This means that this city of Jacob has been around for two hundred years. Another interesting name that was found is yhw which is "Yahweh" in Hebrew (Horn 1953, 201; Giveon 1964, 244).
   

2. It seems abundantly clear from all these topographical lists concerning Canaan that the Hebrews were in Canaan at this time, but they did not use the name "Israel" until there league of tribes was well formed by the time of Merneptah.

3. On a statue-base of Amenhotep III at Kom el Hetan which is the funerary temple of Amenhotep III there is a topographical list with the place-name Yspir (Series a:1; Kitchen 1965, 2). This is the same name translated "Joseph-El" in Thutmose III's Topographical list (ANET 1969, 242). After Yspir in both lists the place-name Rkd appears (Series a:2 in Amenhotep III's list, and #79 in Thutmose III's list; Simons 1937, 112). Rkd is the same place-name as Ruhizzi in the El Amarna letters (EA 53:36, 56; EA 5426; EA 56:26; EA 191:2; Rainey 1982, 354). The ruler of Ruhizzi is Arsawuya who seems to be located in northern Palestine or southern Syria (EA 53:36, 56; Moran, 125)

Most scholars will place the Jews, pro-Israelites, or even Jacobites in Egypt at the time of the Hyksos. There are many scarabs with the name "Jacob-El." This seems most likely to refer either directly or indirectly to Jacob of the Old Testament.

This passage glows for Joseph, servant of God. Finally we see redemption for Joseph, who was sold out by God's chosen people into slavery. Joseph helps Pharaoh to become all powerful & God plans for Pharaoh to increase. There are many contributories rushing into place to complete God's plan.

I've heard this chapter used to cast Socialism down, when people depend on a power other than God, they will reap what they sow. There is truth in that, God wants us to depend on Him. What form of Government does God really support? We could argue at this point for no government, God led the Children of Israel into freedom and expected them to be self-governing. This self-governing didn't work for the Children of Israel.

God had to keep stepping in. Abraham was married twice, he only favored one son. Twin sons were jealous & fighting with parents that favored different sons. The blessing seeker/taker had 12 sons and repeated favoritism. Even when we try to bless our families, life intervenes. Self instead of intimacy. Joseph loved dreaming of ruling over his brothers and goaded them. It didn't go well. People have trouble even among the people they love.

Just as we see seasons of prosperity and seasons of leanness, it is not random, God intervenes. Each wise generation looks to God to be their daily salvation. Did Joseph deserve to be rescued? Probably, but he landed in this situation with sin of his own. Did the children of Jacob deserve to be rescued? How would we fully understand human nature without this road map. History is determined by the victors, but the Old Testament has something unique. The fallen - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad & Asher and all the others in the Old Testament are forgiven and given another chance.

Psalm 118:1-4

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Exodus 13:19
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

Joseph's tomb?

At the southwest end of the burial area, some 83 meters from the villa compound, was a monumental tomb, Tomb 1. It was composed of a nearly square superstructure containing the main burial chamber, and a chapel annex. In a robbers' pit sunk into the chapel, excavators found fragments of a colossal statue depicting an Asiatic dignitary. The likeness was of a seated official 1 times life size. It was made of limestone and exhibited excellent workmanship. The skin was yellow, the traditional color of Asiatics in Egyptian art. It had a mushroom-shaped hairstyle, painted red, typical of that shown in Egyptian artwork for Asiatics. A throwstick, the Egyptian hieroglyph for a foreigner, was held against the right shoulder. The statue had been intentionally smashed and defaced (Bietak 1996: 20-21).

In his book Pharaohs and Kings:" A Biblical Quest", David Rohl suggests that this is the tomb of Joseph himself (1995: 360-67). The evidence seems to support this hypothesis. We must assume that Tomb 1 was that of the occupant of the villa, and thus possibly of Joseph himself. The Bible is very specific as to what became of Joseph's body.

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2 Corinthians 12 ~ it is for Christ

Dear Friend, by Max Lucado. A letter for all of us who do this for Christ.

Dear Friend,
I’m writing to say thanks. I wish I could thank you personally, but I don’t know where you are. I wish I could call you, but I don’t know your name. If I knew your appearance, I’d look for you, but your face is fuzzy in my memory. But I’ll never forget what you did.

There you were, leaning against your pickup in the West Texas oil field. An engineer of some sort. A supervisor on the job. Your khakis and clean shirt set you apart from us roustabouts. In the oil field pecking order, we were at the bottom. You were the boss. We were the workers. You read the blueprints. We dug the ditches. You inspected the pipe. We laid it. You ate with the bosses in the shed. We ate with each other in the shade.

Except that day.

I remember wondering why you did it.

We weren’t much to look at. What wasn’t sweaty was oily. Faces burnt from the sun; skin black from the grease. Didn’t bother me, though. I was there only for the summer. A high-school boy earning good money laying pipe.

We weren’t much to listen to, either. Our language was sandpaper coarse. After lunch, we’d light the cigarettes and begin the jokes. Someone always had a deck of cards with lacy-clad girls on the back. For thirty minutes in the heat of the day, the oil patch became Las Vegas—replete with foul language, dirty stories, blackjack, and barstools that doubled as lunch pails.

In the middle of such a game, you approached us. I thought you had a job for us that couldn’t wait another few minutes. Like the others, I groaned when I saw you coming.
You were nervous. You shifted your weight from one leg to the other as you began to speak.

“Uh, fellows,” you started.

We turned and looked up at you.

“I, uh, I just wanted, uh, to invite … ”

You were way out of your comfort zone. I had no idea what you might be about to say, but I knew that it had nothing to do with work.

“I just wanted to tell you that, uh, our church is having a service tonight and, uh … ”

“What?” I couldn’t believe it. “He’s talking church? Out here? With us?”

“I wanted to invite any of you to come along.”

Silence. Screaming silence.

Several guys stared at the dirt. A few shot glances at the others. Snickers rose just inches from the surface.

“Well, that’s it. Uh, if any of you want to go … uh, let me know.”

After you turned and left, we turned and laughed. We called you “reverend,” “preacher,” and “the pope.” We poked fun at each other, daring one another to go. You became the butt of the day’s jokes.

I’m sure you knew that. I’m sure you went back to your truck knowing the only good you’d done was to make a good fool out of yourself. If that’s what you thought, then you were wrong.

That’s the reason for this letter.

Some five years later, a college sophomore was struggling with a decision. He had drifted from the faith given to him by his parents. He wanted to come back. He wanted to come home. But the price was high. His friends might laugh. His habits would have to change. His reputation would have to be overcome.

Could he do it? Did he have the courage?

That’s when I thought of you. As I sat in my dorm room late one night, looking for the guts to do what I knew was right, I thought of you.

I thought of how your love for God had been greater than your love for your reputation.

I thought of how your obedience had been greater than your common sense.

I remembered how you had cared more about making disciples than about making a good first impression. And when I thought of you, your memory became my motivation.
So I came home.

I’ve told your story dozens of times to thousands of people. Each time the reaction is the same: The audience becomes a sea of smiles, and heads bob in understanding. Some smile because they think of the “clean-shirted engineers” in their lives. They remember the neighbor who brought the cake, the aunt who wrote the letter, the teacher who listened …

Others smile because they have done what you did. And they, too, wonder if their “lunchtime loyalty” was worth the effort.

You wondered that. What you did that day wasn’t much. And I’m sure you walked away that day thinking that your efforts had been wasted.

They weren’t.

So I’m writing to say thanks. Thanks for the example. Thanks for the courage. Thanks for giving your lunch to God. He did something with it; it became the Bread of Life for me
.
Gratefully,
Max Lucado


2 Corinthians 12 (Contemporary English Version)

1 I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me. 2 I know about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when it happened, but God certainly knows.

3 As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time. 4 But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things that are too wonderful to tell. 5 I will brag about that man, but not about myself, except to say how weak I am. 6 Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what you have seen me do and say. 7 Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud. 8 Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. 9 But he replied, "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. 10 Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

11 I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles. 12 When I was with you, I was patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of a true apostle. 13 You missed out on only one blessing that the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.

14 I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. 15 So I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? 16 You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. 17 Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did.

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? Actually, we have been speaking to God as followers of Christ. But, my friends, we did it all for your good.

20 I am afraid that when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob. 21 I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful.

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2 Corinthians 12 ~ in the sight of God

2 Corinthians 12

1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

There is a lot of Paul's personality in this letter. It's better, today, when listening to the link provided to hear this passage, instead of reading it to yourself. Every single thing about the faith of Christians is a miracle. If it isn't... we all have a cozy, imaginary friend. All of the articles of our faith rely on believing God at His Word.

This letter is one of the more discussed passages Paul wrote, with the Holy Spirit breathing out Scripture. What is remembered, what is discussed in this passage? Paul had a Secret Weakness. Was Paul gay, blind, did he have arthritic knees, or feet in an age when traveling required footwork? If you are familiar with this passage, you know people have played the Paul's Secret Weakness Game for 2,000 years. Why? There is quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder in the world.

Paul is looking at his troubles from another angle, he says God is so mighty, He will turn these diversions into something good. The Holy Spirit says there is something Greater than trouble.

Push aside the hardships the world offers. It is a diversion. Paul says you can push aside your troubles. Rejoice. REJOICE. God does not expect you to be perfect, God is claiming His parental rights of Love over you. Parents take care of their children. Jesus, your True older Brother, is making sure, The Way is prepared for you.

Today, let's picture this passage as something new. Let's see Paul describing Heaven as Paradise. You may have experienced this, or you will experience, going on an airplane when it is raining and cloudy. Your eyes have adjusted to your weather, it is dark and you aren't too phased by the weather, you are intent on your trip. The plane lifts off, travels higher, suddenly you burst out of the clouds and the sky is brilliant. You had no idea the brilliance was so overwhelming. So Paul sees The Lord. The best is yet to be. Do not hide Your Face, Father, I am coming to You.

Psalm 118 ~ this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes

Psalm 118

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

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.

10 All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the Lord exalts,
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Father God gives us Scripture as a way to worship and a road map to living in the abundance of the Holy Spirit. The writers of the Bible are a very thankful, grateful group. It is no accident, the people grateful for their gifts, for their lives, are the people God dwells within.

Psalm 118 reminds me of Elizabeth I of England. A Princess and then a pauper, declared bastard by her royal father. Elizabeth learned at a early age fate and people are fickle. Twice imprisoned by her elder half-sister and near being put to death as a traitor. Her real crime was in being next in line for the crown, not plotting to take the crown. Her elder sister had similar history with Elizabeth. It doesn't matter if you were raised a Catholic or Protestant, both of these women had been cruelly mistreated. The elder sister chose to preserve the status quo and put people to death, by fire, for failing to love Jesus Christ in a way the sister understood. It ruined Mary's life. Wrapped up in her own pain, she sought to find the way forward by burning people to death.

Elizabeth, was declared a heretic, but she spend hours reading the bible in several languages & thinking about a way to bring people together to worship God and encompass different beliefs about the Eucharist, the meaning of Christian thought & who should be reading a bible. Elizabeth declared she would not regulate the way men worshiped in their heart. Elizabeth's reign had far more thinking about the nature of God.

As Elizabeth aged, she did not bitterly reflect upon the attempts to put her down at different levels, she did not curse the trouble she had seen in her life, she blessed the trouble in her life by saying it prepared her to understand the nature of mankind, to be able to deal with people compassionately.

When Elizabeth was greeted by the news of her new status, from exile to sovereign, she greeted it as she spoke of the trouble she had seen in her life: this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

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Psalm 103:1-11 ~ forget not all His benefits

Psalm 103:1-11

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him

We are not sure when Christ was born, yet we know He gave Himself for us in the spring, at the time of Passover. The sweetness and sadness of life are brought together at the end of Holy Week.

Vivaldi's Spring (this choreography by Wintermood) was played at my wedding. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was known as the Red Priest for his red hair. He was a priest, a Venetian Baroque composer and famous violinist. 1678-1741.

A perfect way to praise Him, remembering His benefits & listening to this beauty. Almighty God, in Jesus Christ, sending forth His Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness. Healing. Redemption. Steadfast Love. Goodness. Mercy. Renewal, like the flight of an eagle. Righteousness. Justice. As High as the Heavens, is God's love for us.



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Home Movie Day

You Tube has the whole movie of King David. 1985, Richard Gere as King David. It's pretty good, even if it is a Hollywood Production. I like it, and found out that the little arrow button makes it large screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QsF9w_sa_c

It is the whole movie.

Happy Watching!

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Psalm 75 ~ Lifting Up

Psalm 75

1 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up !!!!

Lifting up! This Psalm is the life version of this. David has lifted Asaph; Asaph has been given an experience helping us to celebrate God's mercy for 3,000 years.

When Psalms are thought of, don't we usually think of David & maybe Solomon? This Psalm, like other Scripture has God as the Author. God not just inspiring, but God breathing Scripture out. 2 Timothy 3:16 The writer is Asaph.

Asaph has lived through an amazing time! God is as near as His Name! Asaph is given the job by David, to be chief in charge of praising God. This is a celebration! God dwells with them as David becomes King of Israel. Asaph has seen a wonderful work of the Lord.

This Psalm tells us to the point... God is in charge of lifting. His plans. His will. The day of blessing as well as the day of adversity. Yet Jesus was pleased to forgive and heal the man lifted through the roof to Him. Asaph has the beautiful assignment given to him, to write God's praise, glorifying God. Jesus' assignment was to glorify God as well. When we lift others to God, or our troubles, we glorify God by trusting in Him.

King David, the movie, has a scene David promises to find a place for the Ark. This is the amazing time Asaph has lived, wrote of and God thought so well of Asaph to help us remember him for 3,000 years. God does lift. Link

Father God, we look to You, for all the blessings You plan to give us and give You great thanks for the blessings You have already provided. Thank You for the opportunity to pray for others. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


1 Chronicles 16:1-12
1 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. 2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD :

8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

12 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced!








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Matthew 21:33-46 ~ they took Him

Vineyards at Auver, by Vincent Van Gogh, in 1890


Matthew 21:33-46 ~ (The Message)

33-34 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

35-37 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'

38-39 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"

41 "He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."

42-44 Jesus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."

45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.

Jesus as the Son of God, was a prophet. As He told the parable to the crowd, He knew the Pharisees would kill Him. He calmly told the parable knowing the story is His story. He faced them knowing the narration was truthful and would aggravate them.

Just as Jesus did, we need to see our lives with merciful honesty about the people in our lives, to reach for the higher good and not the convenient path. I don't believe for a nano second Jesus comforted himself by pretending the Pharisees were good underneath. Yes, he was going to turn the other cheek to forgive them, but only with His Grace, not false pretense in belief of their goodness.

Jesus had the same option we have today in facing unpleasant behavior. Jesus did not control how the Pharisees behaved to Him, He had action on His own behalf, but He didn't control what they said and thought about Him. Jesus did what we should do, He was not thrown back and forth like a wave as a reaction to their unpleasantness. Jesus represented His Father.

Jesus never stood up and promised ease and comfort, He told us the best is yet to be.


Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."


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Mark 4:21-34 ~ let him hear

Mark 4:21-34

21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Today at Church we had something Christians call a God thing. Another circumstance when God says He Reigns. We had a small budget for mulch. Then a donation came in to increase the budget. I am a child of God who delights in His growing creation, a gardener; I was asked to find a particular brand of mulch, but it wasn't available and a color change decision would be needed. I was asked to find our Pastor and see about the decision. As I interrupted a meeting, I asked my question quickly. I was leaving and a woman in the meeting called me back, her husband had an account with that particular mulch business and the savings would be double. Wow. Really wow, now we will have enough mulch and the quantity will be more than triple of the original budget. Go God, go.

I belong to a service organization for the Lord at my Church. Tonight we discussed why people read something in the Bible and they declare themselves to be permanently turned off. Sometimes it is a little phrase. It is marvelous God declares it works forward and in a positive manner, as well. We love the Lord and grow more in love. We are able to move beyond hindrances of opinion, self-aggrandizement, tragedy, prosperity and realize how much greater the Lord God is than we are.

So many times I come to the Lord as His child and I ask for help, or I explain to Him why my will would be terrific. Greater times of worship, and peace, occur when I picture putting my hand on His back as He brings forth the good and the love He brings to others. I picture myself as an encourager for Him. What an awesome God we love. How many things He shows us come forth from His love.

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Psalm 31 ~ Love the Lord, all you saints!

Psalm 31

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm [haste],
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

Yesterday we read John 22:35, the disciples agree with Jesus they have everything they need. David was blessed because the Lord saw his heart, David would remember real gratitude in his blessings from God.

Imagine the joy of standing behind Jesus as He gave the Sermon on the Mount. Imagine the joy of walking behind Jesus as multitudes were healed. Being with Jesus to see the healing of the blind. Like David, they had the joy of worshiping in fullness of Spirit. They witnessed the abundance of Jesus as participants God chose to live and dwell with.

We have the same blessing. To invite Jesus to be part of our lives, to ask Him to live and dwell with us. We have the eyes of faith Jesus calls blessed. Worship the Lord with the abundance of grateful hearts.

Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me!

Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name - choreographed by Ziyulu




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John 2:1-12 ~ you have kept the good wine until now

The Last Supper by Jacopo Bassano, painted in 1546

John 2:1-12

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers [siblings] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Jesus began His ministry, with the disciples, providing the wine and ended the Last Supper, Passover, giving the cup of the New Covenant. Jesus asks the disciples a question that night in the upper room.

John 22:35
“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

Jesus provides for us today. The disciples believed Jesus when he created the wine, watched Him heal, give hope and draw thousands to him. Just as the children of Israel always kept doubt in their heart as well as faith, so the disciples let fear and doubt rule them on Good Friday.

When we are unsure of the direction forward, remember God keeps us in His plan, His timing is not ours and even during the years the children of Israel only seemed to wander, God had not removed Himself from His plan. He continued to provide The Way forward.

John 20:27-29
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

When we read the Old Testament, we learn about God's plan, human nature, and the willingness of God to forgive. When we come to the Gospels, we have found New Wine. God hears us, our concerns over each day, He gives us His Holy Spirit helping us to live according to His plan.

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah.

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Leviticus 5 ~ when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed

Leviticus 5

1 “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity; 2 or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become unclean, and he realizes his guilt; 3 or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort the uncleanness may be with which one becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt; 4 or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; 5 when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, 6 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation [his guilt penalty] for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.

7 “But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first the one for the sin offering. He shall wring its head from its neck but shall not sever it completely, 9 and he shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering. 10 Then he shall offer the second for a burnt offering according to the rule. And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven.

11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah [3/5 bushel] of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the Lord's food offerings; it is a sin offering. 13 Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering.”

14 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 15 “If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering. 16 He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.

17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. 18 He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before [he has paid full compension] the Lord.”

I am including a Jon Stewart quote. Jon Stewart is one of the few people on television who respects his Judaism, remarks on it frequently, the things I've heard him say about Christianity are respectful.

"Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit adultery. Don't eat pork. I'm sorry, what was that last one?? Don't eat pork. God has spoken. Is that the word of God or is that pigs trying to outsmart everybody?" -- Jon Stewart

Leviticus and Numbers are not the TV evangelist biblical chapters of choice. But they are the Word of the Lord and they exist today for a reason. If we brush by them, we have not feasted at the banquet of God's table....

My son, Cal, literally has a genius IQ. He was in 7th grade, & had a close Jewish friend equally as smart - same classes. His friend said to him, I trust you, Cal, & I want to know something. We are not going to have a big discussion. Understand? This is an exchange of just a few sentences and no lecturing. Cal asked him what he wanted to know. His friend said, I am Jewish and I hear Jewish values, I want to know who Jesus Christ is.

Cal said, "You, as a Jew, have a Day of Atonement - it is a mournful day. You say the prayers and as a community you have atonement. It has replaced the sacrifices. It is a long day. At the end of the day, do you feel forgiven? Jesus Christ is our sacrifice, He took on our sins. The sins of the world. When He died, He died for you, even if your family is Jewish. There are more than 50 fulfillments of the Old Testament prophesy. I have a list at home in my bible, I will share them with you."

His friend said, Cal, my family and my synagogue really feel overwhelmingly hurt with our sins and we recognize how far we fall short. It is a huge burden. It is a terrible day, Yom Kippur. And no one goes home feeling better. I didn't know Jesus Christ had so many fulfillments in the Old Testaments, I thought it was 3 or 4. Is it a good feeling to know you are forgiven? It is missing from our faith and we try so hard to get it right.

Cal told him that it great to know you are forgiven. His friend continued to say he realized it is what is missing from his faith - with the forgiveness Cal described - he would believe Jesus is the Messiah, but he knew it would kill his father. Time passes by, they are in college, I do not know what will happen with this very real profession of faith.

Time passes by.

We think we are so much more advanced than bronze age mankind, but the blood letting of doves, the blood flowing through the Temple, was not to feed the priests, or have a barbecue. It was to have to look at an innocent creature - turtle dove - be killed representing selfish sin. It was not the Vengeful God of Wrath smiting defenseless weak humans. And God did not rule out sacrifice for what someone could afford to give.

Now about, the pork joke. This is important to know. Kosher, rules of cleanliness, existed for a reason. History.com did a long documentary on Kosher. In the U.K., bronze age man died at age 18. Rarely did they live past 21. At age 13-15 people had children. This is important for development, all over the world, it was not unusual for children at age 3-4 to be trying to survive as orphans. In Israel, the bronze age was just about finished off as King David ruled in Jerusalem. Men typically lived until their 50's in the Kosher environment.

~ Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. ~

Pope John Paul II

We live past the rules for Kosher. Yet if we allow ourselves to be declared clean, we must realize we live in an era of divorce, too many 3-4 year olds, on up, are allowed to be virtual orphans. Leviticus 5 is part of the banquet. The Living Water, the Banquet of Jesus Christ.

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