Reading Scripture helps us know God's Love. Every Bible verse is written for you. Jesus Christ is all mankind's Light. John 1!
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Job 19:25-27 ~ my Redeemer lives!
Job 19:25-27
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!
1 Peter 1:6,7
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Jeremiah 17:7,8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Luke 17:21
nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Genesis 21:22b
God is with you in all that you do.
Isaiah 49:13
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Blessed be God Almighty, His Word goes out and never returns empty. Blessed be Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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Friday, July 02, 2010
Amos 8 ~ searching for the Word of the Lord
Movie, "The Book of Eli" - Denzel Washington
Amos 8:4-12 ~ (New International Version)
- Audio Link to Amos 8
4 Hear this, you who trample the needy
and do away with the poor of the land,
5 saying,
"When will the New Moon be over
that we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath be ended
that we may market wheat?"—
skimping the measure,
boosting the price
and cheating with dishonest scales,
6 buying the poor with silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
selling even the sweepings with the wheat.
7 The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: "I will never forget anything they have done.
8 "Will not the land tremble for this,
and all who live in it mourn?
The whole land will rise like the Nile;
it will be stirred up and then sink
like the river of Egypt.
9 "In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"I will make the sun go down at noon
and darken the earth in broad daylight.
10 I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
and all your singing into weeping.
I will make all of you wear sackcloth
and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day.
11 "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it.
When we read the Book of Isaiah, it's never clear if it refers to yesterday, today or tomorrow. All of the books of Scripture have the same quality, the word of God is living and active. As Amos wrote, Israel & Judah were in peak form. The Temple of Solomon held up the traditions and the reading of God's word.
Amos, what a trouble maker... Amos sees the coming of the 2nd exile & end of Solomon's Temple, due to corruption. Amos sees the coming destruction of the 2nd Temple, not even built. Amos' timeless writings, the power of the Holy Spirit, see the Essenes leaving the 2nd Temple because Herod the Great, a Samaritan married to his brother's wife, rules the priesthood. Thirsty for the Word of God? What about a world ending the worst warfare century? The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls left from a time of hunger for God's Word, reach out and touch part of the world after another 2 millenniums.
Amos' writings cover "The Book of Eli", the movie. Just as Eli is in a destroyed desert world, so are the Essenes. Our first photo today is from the movie, the second from Qumran, the settlement recording the Bible before Christ. The same Bible, word for word, we read today, 2,000 years later.
People who don't know the Scriptures often say it was written by "the man" who wrote it & used it to control the masses. Read Amos. God isn't trying to control the masses, but to educate them about corruption or greed. God isn't interested in promoting selfish interest - God promotes fair trade.
"The Book of Eli" works because it's believable. Believable not only because it tells of portions of the future, but interesting because it has occurred again and again. Allowing something bigger than Hollywood, hope from 2 millenniums past bring the Word of the Lord to our lives.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. The Essenes believed they had reached the time of Apocalypse, the world's Apocalypse, instead they had reached the time the Romans would end their lives and world. It was the Essenes' Apocalypse. But the Essenes reached out and touched the world more profoundly than they imagined. God works all things together for good, greater than man imagines or plans.
Help us each day, Father God, to work our lives to your purpose. In Jesus Christ's Holy name. Amen.
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Thursday, July 01, 2010
Acts 10:24-48 ~ in the presence of God
Acts 10:24-48
24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, [3 p.m.] and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 10, begins by telling us Cornelius:
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”
This centurion fell at Peter's feet for the honor at a visit, in his home, from Jesus' rock.
Luke 7:2-9
The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Linking the biblical narratives today is important. Many people travel just to feel the presence of God. The Centurions given the great honor of biblical memory makes an important point, just as nationality or place isn't important to the Lord, but faith is.
1 Kings 19:11-13
11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Psalm 139
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
Father God, always present with us, we rejoice in Your goodness. Amen.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
1 Samuel 12 ~ serve the Lord with all your heart
Rain storm over the area of mountainous area outside of Jerusalm, Israel the Scriptures say was Samuel's home
1 Samuel 12 ~ (New International Version)
-Audio link to 1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right."
4 "You have not cheated or oppressed us," they replied. "You have not taken anything from anyone's hand."
5 Samuel said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." "He is witness," they said.
6 Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers.
8 "After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the LORD for help, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your forefathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
9 "But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.' 11 Then the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, so that you lived securely.
12 "But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'-even though the LORD your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good! 15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
16 "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king."
18 Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel.
19 The people all said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king."
20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away."
~ evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers.
When you think about the Lord's mercy, think upon this chapter. God's people have asked God to replace Him as their King. God's people are not consistent, yet the Lord keeps making provisions for them. Christianity does not ask for perfect people, Jesus Christ came to save sinners. The people of God feel insecure, threatened, bored, indifferent, lukewarm, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Lamentations 3:22
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
Psalm 136:26
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Deuteronomy 5:10
but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Father God, Your grace is our salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Acts 12:1-11 ~ the Lord has sent
Acts 12:1-11
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
We walk by faith and not by sight. I believe with faith, prayer saves people - the hand of God moves to deliver them. I believe, just like Peter, it is hard to believe, but miracles happen. Reverend John Paton was protected by the hand of God when natives were going to kill him and his entire family in New Hebrides Island. Later, God's protection allowed the natives to understand Jesus Christ isn't for the perfect, Jesus Christ is for those who need a Savior.
In the whole Snopes article, they are appalled at the variations of the same theme. The theme is God protecting people and spreading His word. It happens again and again.
Well, what about the famous Jim Elliot, missionary to the Waodani Tribe? Didn't God fail him? No, the Waodani Tribe were an extreme human example of the capacity to murder. They killed Jim, and four other missionaries, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming and Nate Saint after repeated acts of kindness and gifts from the missionaries.
Jim Elliot's last journal entry was published in a book by his wife, Elizabeth Elliott, in "Through Gates of Splendor". He said, in part:
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain, that which he cannot lose. (Quote from Phillip Henry)
Luke 16:9
that when it shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Scripture leaves so many stories untold."
Jim Elliot was right. The Gospel of John 21:25 says there are so many stories of Jesus, the world itself could not contain all the books. We have another story of Jesus Christ. There is an important account of the deaths of these loving men, that remained untold for decades. It was the murders' account of the deaths. Given, also, in the movie, "End of the Spear".
Here is the Waodani account of their murders of the missionaries:
"Two Waodani women and a man came to see the 5 foreigners. Nate took the man up for a ride in the plane. The mission team is exhilarated. Everything seems to be going according to plan. Contact has been made. The first three Waodani they had interacted with seemed positive.
At this point, a lie sabotages the missionaries’ strategy. The Waodani man, Nenkiwi, concocts a lie to tell the other men who had been hunting: “The foreigners attacked us. We ran. They killed and ate Dayumae!” The men respond: “We must spear them!”
The joy of the missionaries on the sand bar is suddenly shattered as the Waodani warriors run from the jungle and without any warning begin spearing the men. Following behind them the women hack at the fallen men. Despite being armed, the missionaries offer no resistance. They die courageously, fully committed to reaching the Waodani for Christ, trying to communicate their message of God’s love to the very end.
A rainstorm erupts. Canoes with armed men searching for the missing missionaries come down the river. A military helicopter comes overhead. Mincayani hiding in the forest expresses the fears of the men: “We have angered all the spirits!” They torch their village and flee."
What were they speaking about when they killed the men and said 'they had angered all the spirits.' As the missionaries lay dying, the Waodani involved all saw heavenly spirits appear around the men. It scared them so much, that their lives were permanently changed. It wasn't until decades later, when children of the murdered missionaries returned to see the evidence of the tribe's Christianity that the message of the heavenly visitation was found.
God's hand moved after the sacrifice of these lives, but many people were changed by love by this ultimate gift. The murders in all the tribes stopped with great sacrifice to the people brave enough to act with love. For the first time in Waodani history, there is a generation of young children with grandfathers.
The end of this video is amazing, the Waodani today.
Father God, we live our lives - not by sight - but in the hope of Your great mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Monday, June 28, 2010
1 Samuel 9 ~ to lay aside
1 Samuel 9 (New International Version)
- Audio Link - 1 Samuel 9
1 There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.
3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys." 4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.
5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, "Come, let's go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."
6 But the servant replied, "Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take."
7 Saul said to his servant, "If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?"
8 The servant answered him again. "Look," he said, "I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take." 9 (Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, let us go to the seer," because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)
10 "Good," Saul said to his servant. "Come, let's go." So they set out for the town where the man of God was.
11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?"
12 "He is," they answered. "He's ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time."
14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
15 Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: 16 "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me."
17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people."
18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?"
19 "I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family?"
21 Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?"
22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside."
24 So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.' " And Saul dined with Samuel that day.
25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get ready, and I will send you on your way." When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"-and the servant did so-"but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God."
2,700 years ago or today, we are always looking for more security and more happiness. Maybe there isn't enough thanksgiving, gratitude or prayer.
This is a great Scripture chapter for people considering marriage or even dating.
When you think about the Book of Judges, you'll remember there were always raids and skirmishes, sometimes some oppression from neighboring enemies. Small wonder, when Israel had been the new neighbor. But the grass is always greener, the people wanted more security.
The people of Israel had asked to put aside Samuel, who was old, and to have a king, to be like other nations. Just as Saul didn't have the inclination to know about Samuel and the real gifts of God, the Children of Israel were in the same pop culture frame of mind. The people did not ask or pray to God for a man like Moses, Joshua or Samuel, they merely asked Samuel for a king. Unconcerned about spiritual blessings, they were interested in only the seen, the practical aspects of life.
Beautiful and tall, Saul is already displaying his flaws and virtues, even in the very early morning of his first meeting with Samuel. Saul has no idea where Samuel - the Judge of Israel, the Seer, is from. And importantly, his offering to the Lord doesn't even come from Saul, but the servant. Hannah, Samuel's mother, had no offering to bring of her own, when she prayed so earnestly for help (a child). But Hannah's concern wasn't the offering or sacrifice. Saul's first concern is payment for the prophet, not an offering to the Lord.
The Old Testament is quite different from the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the baptized in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, people were powerfully servants, driven to be instruments for the Lord. The Holy Spirit rested powerfully on one individual instead of the group of people, following the Lord, we see in Acts, Chapter 2. We see from the beginning of 1 Samuel 9, Saul has the worldly attributes of a winner, but the gifts of God haven't concerned Saul enough to learn of them in his past. This does not mean God didn't love Saul and plan good for him. Saul still brought safety and care to Israel.
We've read 1 Samuel 9, this year, in Scriptures for Today. If you'd like to see another aspect of this chapter, the Lord's forgiveness extended to Saul, please see - 1 Samuel 9 ~ behold.
Father God, help us to remember Your requirements for each person & each day are different from our own. With Your wisdom, mature us each day to learn to put aside what isn't needful for us. Help us Jesus, to become the person - soul - You would have us to be. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Saturday, June 26, 2010
Job 6 ~ darkened by thawing ice
Job 6 (New International Version)
- Audio link to Job 6
1 Then Job replied:
and all my misery be placed on the scales!
no wonder my words have been impetuous.
my spirit drinks in their poison;
God's terrors are marshaled against me.
or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
or is there flavor in the white of an egg ?
such food makes me ill.
that God would grant what I hope for,
to let loose his hand and cut me off!
my joy in unrelenting pain—
that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.
What prospects, that I should be patient?
Is my flesh bronze?
now that success has been driven from me?
even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
as the streams that overflow
and swollen with melting snow,
and in the heat vanish from their channels.
they go up into the wasteland and perish.
the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.
they arrive there, only to be disappointed.
you see something dreadful and are afraid.
pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
ransom me from the clutches of the ruthless'?
show me where I have been wrong.
But what do your arguments prove?
and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?
and barter away your friend.
Would I lie to your face?
reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. [my righteousness still stands]
Can my mouth not discern malice?
We have arrived at the book of Job again. To be honest, I don't leap for joy at Job. Yet Job has a discernment to it that our generation, media watchers, can fully comprehend. In the previous generations, they didn't have nearly as much emphasis placed on entertainment. Job has an element used in Sci Fi or Horror Movies. Job knows in his soul, he keeps trying to tell his friends, that God has sent these problems to him, purposefully. Job wants to lament with Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar how unjust God is to do this to him, personally. (Here we could use a chorus of the Jaws movie theme - and pan a shot to black ice.)
Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar, totally, & completely don't understand what Job has perceived. They have decided Job is guilty and deserve what comes his way. His friends grow tired of Job's complaints and want him to confess he does not comprehend God.
So... we'll just remove the chapters of Job where Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar speak- their advice to Job is as enlightened as black ice. That would be only chapters 4,8,11,15,18,20 & 22. No. We aren't. Scripture remains in the Bible because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Actually the chapters of Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar have some Holy Spirit led insights to the goodness & justice of God. Insights about friends who search for God themselves, but friends are human. An important guide to understanding friends is important, but not to place them in the same category as the Holy Spirit to you.
The Book of Job has another hidden virtue - which lends itself more to the finesse of literature, instead of the glamor of movies - Job writes off the advice of his friends because he doesn't want to hear it. But Father God, creator of the universe is vast, more enduring, more faceted than any diamond - He created, is telling us Job won't want to hear about the attributes of God. A guide to direct those needing Spiritual help, but not receptive. A reminder for those of us trying to help a loved one, God is still the one in control.
But back to our original opening paragraph, Job is at the complete end of his tether because he just Knows God Has Done This to Job with Malice and a Poor Sense of Justice. How does Job arrive at the conclusion of peace? Job has heard, and discarded, what his friends have said. Partially Job is correct, God has judged Job to be a good man. Righteous. But how is Job going to arrive at the peace Job eventually finds? Job finds it by searching his own soul and allowing the Words of God to soak in. God saves Job, not his friends.
Job is partially correct, God has allowed Job to suffer. Job is incensed. Job just knows he is too righteous to have suffering. Job is cast down that his wife, his children (the ones left living), his servants, his family and his friends look down on him for his troubles. Job just knows he was righteous and worthy enough to sit with the village elders at the gate to welcome people. Job did a good job looking good for God.
Job eventually calms his soul well enough for the Words of God to soak into his soul. God allows us to have trouble, are we to judge God? Job eventually realizes God does not judge us incorrectly. Job is not God and must realize God's purposes are good. All the time. Job must consider Job is not righteous enough to save himself. Just as God tells Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar they have flaws even as they attempted to correct and direct Job. The close of the Book of Job touches on the majesty, the vastness of God. Job, Eliphaz, Bildad & Zophar have all attempted to touch on God's attributes and have partially understood. But not being God themselves, have hidden flaws they must allow God's enduring grace to save them. They must grow in faith to lean in to trusting Him.
Job 40:1-4
1 The LORD said to Job:
2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!"
3 Then Job answered the LORD :
4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Job 42:12-17
12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
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Friday, June 25, 2010
2 Kings 25:1-12 ~ he was captured, he was taken
The actual fired lapis colored bricks of King Nebuchadnezzar's Ishtar Gate in Babylon. The children of Israel would have been driven into the city through this gate. Now in the Berlin Museum.
2 Kings 25:1-12
- Audio Link - all of 2 Kings 251 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. 2 The city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 3 By the ninth day of the fourth [the same is said in Jeremiah 52] month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat. 4 Then the city wall was broken through, and the whole army fled at night through the gate between the two walls near the king's garden, though the Babylonians were surrounding the city. They fled toward the Arabah, [Jordan Valley]c]"> 5 but the Babylonian army pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his soldiers were separated from him and scattered, 6 and he was captured. He was taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where sentence was pronounced on him. 7 They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
8 On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 9 He set fire to the temple of the LORD, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. 10 The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 11 Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon. 12 But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
Judah was invaded 3 times - last time the king, king's families and officials were carted off to Babylon. 2 Kings 25 is the final, most grim, most brutal, 3rd invasion. Zedekiah isn't king by the usual succession. He is actually Mattaniah. The name Zedekiah was given to him by the king-maker of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Mattaniah/Zedekiah is actually the reigning king's Jehoiachin's uncle. Jehoiachin surrendered and lived comfortably in Nebuchadnezzar's palace. Nebuchadnezzar's puppet king decided to rebel, the consequences for Judah is complete enslavement.
We know Jeremiah cried out for Judah to turn to the Lord. Jeremiah's cry for reform was heard by King Josiah, but the next 3 kings (Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin & Zedekiah) and the children of Israel were deaf to the Lord, through Jeremiah.
The actual prophesy of the end of the kingdom was made by Samuel, hundreds of years before the end, before any king was anointed:
1 Samuel 8:18-35
18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
It was Joshua who told of God's plan for Israel:
Joshua 24:15
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
Help us each day, Father. To choose Whom we will serve, guide us and lead our lives. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Psalm 105:23-45 ~ Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.
Psalm 105:23-45
23 Then Israel came to Egypt;
Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And the Lord made his people very fruitful
and made them stronger than their foes.
25 He turned their hearts to hate his people,
to deal craftily with his servants.
26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They performed his signs among them
and miracles in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
they did not rebel against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
and gnats throughout their country.
32 He gave them hail for rain,
and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
33 He struck down their vines and fig trees,
and shattered the trees of their country.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came,
young locusts without number,
35 which devoured all the vegetation in their land
and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land,
the first fruits of all their strength.
37 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
40 They asked, and he brought quail,
and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham, his servant.
43 So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
44 And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,
45 that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!
When the children of the Israel leave slavery, they leave in style. In the shadow of God's glory!
Many years after Egypt, the children of God were returning from being slaves in Babylon. King Cyrus of Babylon decreed he would rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. He would return the former slaves to freedom with gold & silver from their former masters and King Cyrus would personally account for all the return of each of the golden Temple Tools. Ezra 1:2-8.
What would it look like to have been Egyptian - to have seen the plagues - to see the former slaves leave with gold & silver given by former masters - to have seen the powerful Pharaoh brought down, who had been revered as a god? The Ipuwer Papyrus, found near the pyramids of Saqqara in Memphis, Egypt, have survived since circa 14th century B.C. (Before Christ, still). Ipuwer now resides in a museum of Leiden in the Netherlands. This particular person saw the Exodus as a failure of government to plan effectively. Interestingly, each time Pharaoh is mentioned, the name has been obliterated. Never before, this letter says, has a Pharaoh been so defeated.What were some of the problems mentioned? 1. The Nile turned to blood 2. Reptiles began to excessively breed. 3. Hail killed all the crops in the field. 4. Later hail was mingled with fire, the fire ran upon the ground. 5. not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the fields, through all the land of Egypt. 6. the crops of the fields were destroyed in a single day. 7. All animals, their hearts weep. Cattle moan... (Exodus 9:3..Papyrus 5:5). 8. Papyrus 9:11 The land is without light. 10. The statues of the gods fell and broke in pieces. 11..He who places his brother in the ground is everywhere. (Papyrus 2:13, 4:4...Exodus 12:30).
Papyrus 4:2 Forsooth, great and small say: I wish I might die.
5:14f. Would that there might be an end of men, no conception, no birth! Oh, that the earth would cease from noise, and tumult be no more! The escaped slaves hurried across the border of the country. By day a column of smoke went before them in the sky; by night it was a pillar of fire.
Servants abandoning their subordinate status, Papyrus 3:14–4:1,6:7–8, 10:2–3.
Ipuwer Papyrus 1: “The plunderer is everywhere, and the servant takes ”
Papyrus 2: “Indeed, poor men have become wealthy.”
Papyrus 3: “Gold, silver and jewels are fastened to the necks of female slaves.”
Ipuwer Papyrus 5: “Slaves (who have now been freed) are throughout the land.”
Papyrus 10: “The king’s storehouse has now become common property.”
It seems comical, and rather endearing, humanity has not changed in all these millenniums; the writer of the Ipuwer Papyrus concludes while no other Pharoah has ever been defeated by so many disasters - it ended Pharoah's life - this could have been prevented if only the government had planned better. The writer continues by saying, a government as strong as Egypt should be better prepared & hopes these catastrophes will not be allowed to go unsupported in the future.
Not only was Egypt glad when the children of Israel departed, they hoped for better government in the future.
Father God, help us to see clearly the events of our lives as You would have them be seen. We ask You each day for the blessing of wisdom as we rely upon You. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Luke 9:37-44 ~ a man from the crowd
Luke 9:37-44
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Today, I was thinking about what Jesus said when another man from the crowd asked Jesus a question and phrased it, "Good teacher." Jesus replied, "Only One is good."
Imagine having an extremely unusual work day. So unusual, in fact, that Moses and Elijah drop in. And it.... scares your co-workers to death....they start talking about building another office for them. Your co-workers are so scared, they start mumbling really funny little ideas. At that point, are you supposed to listen to your famous visitors or take care of the co-workers who are as afraid as if they'd seen a ghost? In the middle of this amazing time, you've got a balancing act, instead of a precious memory.
Let's add another component to this really unusual day and say that you've also come to terms with a diagnosis of being terminally ill with something very painful. So, you've got a lot on your plate. After your famous visitors leave, you are trying to come down from this mountain. You've got a lot to think about, but one of your many clients, a situation your employees should be able to routinely cope with, comes in with a very serious problem with the client's son.
Wouldn't you like to tell them all to just leave you alone for a minute? Or even rage at the incompetence of these blunderers. Or even something like this gritted teeth reply, "Excuse me, I have to go take care of an important call." And that would be a mild reply.
And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
We love a God who has made time for us when He is busy..... A God who is honest enough to say, correctly, we are faithless, when He could have said many more hurtful things and stayed well within honesty. We love a God who cared when we pushed our hurting child forward....
We are never a face in the crowd to God, but sometimes we put God far away in our crowd.
We love a God who would die for us. We love a God who redeems us, at an enormous cost to Himself.
Thank You, Father God, You have time for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Job 19:1-22 ~ You magnify
Job 19:1-22
1 Then Job answered and said:2 “How long will you torment me
and break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times you have cast reproach upon me;
are you not ashamed to wrong me?
4 And even if it be true that I have erred,
my error remains with myself.
5 If indeed you magnify yourselves against me
and make my disgrace an argument against me,
6 know then that God has put me in the wrong
and closed his net about me.
7 Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered;
I call for help, but there is no justice.
8 He has walled up my way, so that I cannot pass,
and he has set darkness upon my paths.
9 He has stripped from me my glory
and taken the crown from my head.
10 He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone,
and my hope has he pulled up like a tree.
11 He has kindled his wrath against me
and counts me as his adversary.
12 His troops come on together;
they have cast up their siege ramp [their way] against me
and encamp around my tent.
13 “He has put my brothers far from me,
and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me.
14 My relatives have failed me,
my close friends have forgotten me.
15 The guests in my house and my maidservants count me as a stranger;
I have become a foreigner in their eyes.
16 I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer;
I must plead with him with my mouth for mercy.
17 My breath is strange to my wife,
and I am a stench to the children of my own mother.
18 Even young children despise me;
when I rise they talk against me.
19 All my intimate friends abhor me,
and those whom I loved have turned against me.
20 My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has touched me!
22 Why do you, like God, pursue me?
Why are you not satisfied with my flesh?
An expression used a lot that says, "Success breeds Success and Failure breeds Failure." We like it - Job can't even get the servant to answer him without begging - our talents and our faults promote us or we deserve the bad events occurring in life. All through the Bible, it doesn't say this; it says God gives us gifts. He determines who will be lifted up and who will not.
Job, like people with trouble in their lives, isn't the most sought after book in the Scriptures. It's like rain on a picnic. Really, to blame people for events in life, is like saying the showered out picnic was a judgment from God.
Well, we reason, God used Job's trouble for a purpose. Yes, He did. God uses circumstances in our lives, by faith and not by sight, we believe He shapes our lives. Job begins to see, at the end of the book, God's purpose is best because it is God's.
The book of Job has another purpose, it is our map and our guide when we have trouble. How did Job deal with all of his loss and pain?
23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!
28 If you say, ‘How we will pursue him!’
and, ‘The root of the matter is found in him,’
29 be afraid of the sword,
for wrath brings the punishment of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment.”
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- Email registry at bottom.! “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Men “moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit carried men along, moving and guiding them as they wrote in their own words what God wanted them to say. The Bible is unique; comprised of 80 separate books, & written over a period of thousands of years by more than 40 writers with one Author, spanning the centuries, different states of peace & war & different situations in life. The Bible answers the question: of who is God, who is man & what can their relationship can be. Although the Bible was written on perishable material and copied by hand for many centuries, its accuracy is not in doubt, proven by Dead Sea Scrolls and papyrus from 2,000 years. The Bible has survived persecution & criticism to be read with great interest in each generation. The Bible gives witness to the greatness of the Creator. A loving Father concerned for all of his creation. With each verse of the bible witnessing to God is love and the multitude & vastness of His attributes. The Bible was written for you. <><
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Blessings, Anne-Laurel
Psalm 81 ~ I answered you
Mark 1:1-20 ~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path's straight
Ephesians 4 ~ speaking the truth in Love
1 Peter 4:7-19 ~ Beloved, do not be surprised
Psalm 31 ~ O Lord, let me not be put to shame for I call upon You
Mark 12:28-34 ~ love Him with all your heart
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
John 1:29-34 ~ I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God
Beauty Instead of Ashes
Isaiah 61 ~ Beauty instead of Ashes
Being a New Creation in Jesus Christ
Mark 2:18-22 ~ new wine into new wineskins
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The great and first commandment. And a second is like it
Being Spiritual
Matthew 14:1-12 ~ the fame of Jesus
Believe
Colossians 1:24-2:7 ~ rooted and built up in Him
Genesis 25 ~ sell me your birthright now
The Bible explains the Bible, Prophetically
John 15:12-17 ~ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4:1-8 ~ gave you through the Lord Jesus
1 John 1 ~ God is light, in Him is no darkness at all
Blessing - unaware
Boundaries
Philippians 2:19-24 ~ how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord
Ezekiel 24 ~ write down the name of this day, this very day
Crusades as a Permanent Criticism to Christianity
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 ~ to the place where the streams flow
Decision
John 1:1-5, 9-13, 14-17 ~ grace and truth
Matthew 16:13-20 ~ who do people say the Son of Man is?
Matthew 16:1-19 ~ no sign
Mark 1:1-20 ~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path's straight
Matthew 13:1-9 ~ A sower went out to sow
Matthew 25 ~ Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?
Matthew 5:27-37 ~ you have heard
Ecclesiastes 6 ~ whatever has come to be has already been named
Psalm 132:6-10 ~ we found it in the fields of Jaar
Psalm 97~ worshipers of images are put to shame
1 Timothy 3:16 ~ believed on in the world
Matthew 22:23-33 ~ after them
Acts 24:10-21 ~ verify that
John 1:29-34 ~ I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God
1 Corinthians 6 ~ such cases
Psalm 135 ~ who is in your midst
John 1:1-14, 16, 29-51 ~ He was in the world
Details - Putting it all together and discovering it is about God
Psalm 108 ~ In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
Determine your own path, just love Him
Judges 16 ~ like any other man
Divorce
Matthew 19:1-15 ~ your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so
1 Corinthians 5:1-8 ~ in the name of the Lord Jesus
Dry, Dusty Old Tomes or the Word of God, Living and Active
Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah - 2,000 years old
Sennacherib's Prism Isaiah Bible Archaeology
Ancient Giants of Israel
Daniel 3 ~ an image of gold
Ezra 7:27-28, 8:21-36 ~ blessed be the LORD
Psalm 90 ~ For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past'
1 John 1 ~ God is light, in Him is no darkness at all
Psalm 19:8-10, 14 ~ meditation
Psalm 70 ~ May all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in Thee
Psalm 44 ~ ordain salvation
Daniel 9 ~ He has confirmed his words, which he spoke
Proverbs 24 ~ lest the Lord see it
Archaeology (placed in area instead of alphabetically)
Ipuwer Papyrus
Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-40 ~ by faith we understand
Matthew 16:18 ~ Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church
Psalm 93 ~ The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 ~ Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father
Psalm 105:23-45 ~ Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.
2 Kings 21 ~ walk in the way of the Lord
Numbers 9:15-23 ~ they remained
2 Chronicles 29 ~ opened the doors of the House of the Lord
Joshua 1:1-9 ~ I am giving
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The great and first commandment. And a second is like it
John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”
Jeremiah 48 ~ they acquired
Genesis 49:29-50:14 ~ beyond the Jordan
John 6:52-59 ~ truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you
Zechariah 7:1-14 ~ by asking
Jeremiah 2:1-13 ~ Servant's first fruit
2 Chronicles 32 ~ And many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem and precious things
Matthew 13:1-23 ~ root in Himself
John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”
Psalm 116 ~ I believe
1 Kings 9 ~ I have heard your prayer and your plea
Psalm 78: 1- 39 ~ Things from of old
2 Chronicles 26:1-22 ~ his pride led to his downfall
Psalm 78:1-39 ~ forgot His works and the wonders that He had shown them
Genesis 14 ~ they also carried off Abram's nephew Lot
Ezekiel 26:1-14 ~ your walls will shake
John 18: 28-40, John 19 ~ The King of the Jews
Deuteronomy 9:4-12 ~ For Days will come upon you
2 Samuel 13:23-39 ~ news came to David
Luke 21:1-4 ~ contributed
Ezra 1:1-11 ~ the Lord stirred
Matthew 11:1-6 ~ what you hear and see
Romans 8:1-21 ~ the law of the Spirit of life has set you [me] free in Christ Jesus
John 11:1-45 ~ had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him
Psalm 98 ~ The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
Holy Spirit, Fire and Halo's
Elements of Nature Displaying HIS Glory
Exodus 40:16-38 ~ In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.
I Decide What is Right and Wrong - God noticed this in the Garden of Eden from Eve
Evening Prayer
Psalm 134 ~ may the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made Heaven and earth!
Expectations
John 1:47-51 ~ you will see greater things than these
Judges 16:1-22 ~ told me
1 Kings 19:4-8 ~ a day's journey
Psalm 118 ~ The Lord's right hand
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The great and first commandment. And a second is like it
Philippians 2:19-24 ~ how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord
Family
Psalm 121 ~ help comes from the Lord
Psalm 16 ~ Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
1 John 3:11-21 ~ God is greater
Mark 1:1-20 ~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path's straight
Mark 6:1-13 ~ they went out and proclaimed that people should repent
Mark 11:11-26 ~ He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple
Romans 8:22-39 ~ it is God who justifies
James 3:13-4:12 ~ who speaks against a brother
More Forgiveness
1 Samuel 12 ~ serve the Lord with all your heart
Matthew 17:24-27 ~ give it to them for me and for yourself
Psalm 7 ~ test the minds and hearts
Matthew 5:27-37 ~ you have heard
Luke 8:16-25 ~ Who is this?
Psalm 130 ~ with You there is forgiveness
Psalm 25 ~ For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Psalm 51 ~ Renew a right spirit within me
Gates of Heaven
Gates, Walls, Boundaries - all of our defenses
Psalm 118 ~ This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it
Matthew 16:13-20 ~ keys to the Kingdom of Heaven
Revelation 21 ~ the dwelling place of God is with man
Generations are different from one another
Luke 10:38-42 ~ has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her
Psalm 44 ~ at the sight of the enemy and the avenger
Psalm 63 ~ my soul will be satisfied
John 16: 29-33 ~ I have overcome the world
Isaiah 30:19-26 ~ This is the way; walk in it
Romans 14:1-12 ~ observes it in honor of the LORD
Glory
Gravity
Good Friday
His Story. All Scripture is HIS. Jesus fulfills Scripture.
Israel - Destroyed Completely and Rebuilt. A sign of Jesus. Existing today.
The Journey of Joseph
Luke 10:17-24 ~ to see what you see, and hear what you hear
Matthew 6 ~ practicing your righteousness
Psalm 13 ~ I have trusted
Luke 2:22-32 ~ blessed God
Psalm 34 ~ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but
Joel 2:18-29 ~ be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
Psalm 128 ~ May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!
Luke 10 ~ Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven!
Psalm 24:1-6 ~ who shall ascend
Psalm 81 ~ open your mouth wide
Exodus 33:19 ~ The Lord
Psalm 128:1-5
Hebrews 13:17-21 ~ keep watch
Romans 11: 11-12 Homecoming!
Luke 1:39-55 ~ glorifies the Lord
Psalm 31:3-8,17-21 ~ Thou hast redeemed me
Live It
Psalm 117 ~ Praise the Lord
Psalm 82 ~ rescue the weak and the needy
2 Samuel 4:1-12 ~ David answered
Hebrews 12 ~ Thankful
Psalm 31:3-8,17-21 ~ Thou hast redeemed me
Isaiah 40:1-11 ~ His reward is with Him
Matthew 13:31-32 ~ the birds of the air come and perch in its branches
Matthew 6:25-34 ~ your heavenly Father knows that you need
Luke 11:29-32 ~ Rise up
Psalm 126 ~ shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves
Luke 14:15-24 ~ there is still room
Joshua 1:1-9 ~ I am giving
Acts 5 ~ speak in the name of Jesus
John 1 ~ the Light shines
John 3:5-8 ~ born again
~ they went on from there and passed through Galilee
Judges 20 ~ Israel
Losing a Loved One - Passing ON
Revelation 21:22-27 ~ those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life
Not Being Tossed Back and Forth with Emotion
Ephesians 4 ~ speaking the truth in Love
Marriage
Romans 7:1-12 ~ bear fruit for God
1 Corinthians 7 ~ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband
Genesis 37:12-24 ~ when Reuben
Psalm 143 ~ Your steadfast love
Psalm 86 ~ For great is your steadfast love
Media... taking it down the path
1 Corinthians 10 ~ Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
Mercy, an Inseparable Component of Truth
Matthew 23:23-26 ~ clean
1 Samuel 12 ~ serve the Lord with all your heart
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The great and first commandment. And a second is like it
Miscellaneous
Job 38 ~ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Psalm 19 ~ the heavens declare the glory of God
2 Kings 5:1-15 ~ a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper
1 Chronicles 13 ~ the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom
Mark 11: 12-25 ~ have faith in God
In Old Age and Frustration
Ruth 1 ~ Naomi
Psalm 126 ~ when the Lord restored
Genesis 12:1-4 ~ I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Mark 13 ~ in those days!
Oops
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 ~ Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
Paul - the last of the Disciples to actually see Jesus
Repeat and Repeat
Rock
SALVATION! What is needed?
Shepherd
Luke 1:67-79 ~ Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied
Leviticus 16:1-19 ~ shall be presented alive
Life and Travels of Paul
Walls of Heaven
Who is like our God?
Willingly
Years - Thousands of Them are Yesterday in His Sight
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