2 Kings 9 ~ in Israel

2 Kings 9

1 Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber. 3 Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.”

4 So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. 5 And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.” 6 So he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. 7 And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord. 8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled.

11 When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.” 12 And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’” 13 Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

14 Thus Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram with all Israel had been on guard at Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Syria, 15 but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) So Jehu said, “If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel.” 16 Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to visit Joram.

17 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, “I see a company.” And Joram said, “Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?’” 18 So a man on horseback went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” And the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” 19 Then he sent out a second horseman, who came to them and said, “Thus the king has said, ‘Is it peace?’” And Jehu answered, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” 20 Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.”

21 Joram said, “Make ready.” And they made ready his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah (son-in-law to Ahab, married to one of Ahab's daughters - Baal worship) king of Judah set out, each in his chariot, and went to meet Jehu, and met him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” 23 Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, “Treachery, O Ahaziah!” 24 And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot. 25 Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him: 26 ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”

27 When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled in the direction of Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. 28 His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.

29 In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.

30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. 31 And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, you Zimri, murderer of your master?” 32 And he lifted up his face to the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down. And some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. 34 Then he went in and ate and drank. And he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter.” 35 But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36 When they came back and told him, he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, ‘In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel, 37 and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, This is Jezebel.’”

It's a familiar passage, most people know of the treachery of Ahab and Jezebel. What is unusual is one of the prophets' son, now a servant of the chief prophet, adds to the Word of the Lord heard from Elisha. The servant adds considerably and very unusual information - to slay part of the Davidic line. It seems it would go very badly for the servant. Being unnamed as a servant of the Lord isn't necessarily an indication of displeasure. Genesis 24, Abraham's trusted servant, sent to pick Rebekah out as a wife for Isaac isn't named. Being a servant of the Lord says something about the person's soul. The telling must have been correct and Word from the Lord. Although, the servant's Word isn't adding new facts to previous Word - Ahab himself was notified by Elijah his house, his line would be killed. Jezebel's body had already prophesied to become food for the dogs.

The Word of the Lord is sure. Saul was not to be killed by David, but the house of Ahab was to be destroyed. Elisha did not say how Jehu was to be king. The Word of the Lord Elijah spoke came to be. Jehu wanted to honor Jezebel's birth right as king's daughter, but the Word of the Lord was fulfilled first.

What God speaks is stronger than man's will or desire. It's interesting remembering, Ahab himself was granted forgiveness from being annihilated, after hearing Elijah, because he believed the Lord and had remorse. The end of Ahab's family is the opposite - Elisha, the head prophet, merely proclaims another king. Perhaps these ruling sons were just waiting for the end, perhaps they believed but were unwilling to have remorse and change - we cannot know their attitudes, but their action was not remorse from Baal worship.

Jeremiah 19:5 tells us Baal worship involves child sacrifice by fire. This passage tells us prostitution and sorcery is in Baal worship. What would induce the people away from the Lord God Almighty and His mighty acts? By that time, Israel had placed God in the Holy of Holies, an inner sanctuary, behind a curtain - Israel was both afraid of God and unsure of His acts. The relationship between God and His people had become obligatory in the heart of His people. The priests of Baal offered a set of steps to financial security. For good crops or more children, child sacrifice was said to work. The worship required by Baal was not like anything God ever asked for. Child sacrifice, prostitution, sorcery were always abomination in the site of God - who considers us as His children, and Himself as our Father.

Father God, You love justice. Yet You are a God who listens to remorse and has mercy. Help us each day to be just and merciful. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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Genesis 45:1-15 ~ he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it

Jesus Wept. Sculpted by Mike Scovel.

Genesis 45:1-15
Audio for all of Genesis 45

¹ Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. ² And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

³ Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵ And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. ⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

⁸ "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. ⁹ Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. ¹⁰ You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. ¹¹ I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'

¹² "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. ¹³ Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

¹⁴ Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. ¹⁵ And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

John 11:35
Jesus wept.

By Dr. George C. Anderson

The good news in the story of Joseph is forgiveness. God wants us to know Joseph’s compassion didn’t come from a careless heart or a blasé heart. The good news of forgiveness is repeated when Jesus wept for Lazarus, "Jesus wept." God will get us from the valley of the shadow of death to the summit. He will meet us at our lowest place and stay with us until we get to a better place. He will meet us in our grief, in our fear, in our doubt, in our despair, in our dark depression. In Christ, God joins his cry to ours. He shares in our grieving so as to share in our rejoicing. God joins us in the verse "Jesus wept."

I say this for all those who may have lost loved ones months, even years ago, and who still grieve, maybe with added pain because others have gone on with their lives and have perhaps forgotten how much was lost in yours. There is good news in knowing the weeping came from Jesus Himself. By His grace, our sighs can become our prayers to the one who raised Lazarus and did not Himself remain in the grave. The Spirit of that resurrected One will join with our spirit and share in the sigh too deep for words and raise it as an offering to the throne of grace.

Repeat Scripture for Today Blogspot.com from 3/9/09

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James 3:13-4:12 ~ who speaks against a brother

James 3:13-4:12

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Chapter 4

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions [pleasures] are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. [brothers and sisters] The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Here is really quite a great sermon on James 3 & 4 written by J. Ligon Duncan about the Church today. Worldliness in the Church. I have to say, I enjoyed it enormously having all that good teaching on the Church and maybe not as much as it got to the root of the problem & that finger pointed in my direction.

All of Chapter 3 in James is about not having what we typically think of the good life. Happiness. There is a great difference between what the world thinks of the good life and what God tells us. It is so easy to forget. Peace plays an enormous role in getting along. Not the brown nosing anything for peace variety, but the I-don't have-to-have-my-way-variety. Big difference. The you don't have to think I am so smart variety, because I am willing to listen.

Hard work for a talker.

Chapter 4 has more nuances - I read it and I am in the clear. I don't start fights, I am not huge about coveting. I feel like I receive. I am not adulterous. You see where we are headed with this? I,I,I, I and I. Wham. Selfishness. Thoughts centered on self. There it is. A lot of what I think about is myself. The truth is I'd like to buy the world a Coke. Because I am sure "I" would like it if I had more admiration. How am I distracted at Church? When I have a problem I can't solve or when I have a problem I just didn't deserve. Work it baby, chew that problem, you have the inner tools somewhere to solve that difficulty today. Work, work.

My 22 year son and I have had discussions on happiness. He is not finding college as fun as he matures. I worked so hard to make it about self-respect because College Seniors don't want to hear all the God talk from Mom. Especially when they've taken a lot of philosophy classes. God called us to be salt - and salt is sprinkled graciously if we are going to have it consumed. But in truth, self-respect does help for giving kindness, mercy, walking humbly with the Lord. But the main aspect for happiness, one we forget when bogged down, is to .... look up. We have a great opportunity.... to put down our burdens... and focus on One who is Righteous.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.


Forever with God. What is important. Amen.

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Psalm 135 ~ bless the Lord

Psalm 135

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord,
give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
sing to his name, for it is pleasant! [for he is beautiful]
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.

5 For I know that the Lord is great,
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
both of man and of beast;
9 who in your midst, O Egypt,
sent signs and wonders
against Pharaoh and all his servants;
10 who struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown, [Or remembrance] O Lord, throughout all ages.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them!

19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord! O house of Aaron, bless the Lord! 20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! 21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!

Sometimes in Bible Study people ask why are the Psalms mentioned so many times? Well, for the same reason I would choose the photo for today - it reminds me of my son when he was young. See that youth and innocence? It speaks to me.

The Psalms to David (they record he wrote most of them - 73, while some do not say) are different than the books of law or history, the Psalms capture the aspects - the Nature of God - in His works. The Psalms are God's greatness speaking to David.

These are the Psalms of David, telling not of dry - dusty ancient history, but fresh, warm and alive. These are the stories of his father Jesse, his grandfather Obed and his great-grandfather Boaz, his not-too-distant- fathers. David didn't just hear these stories in the Temple, the written history, but like our family stories - in family moments. Just as Jesus was to become David's family, these are David's family stories.

To David, the Lord is beautiful, good, pleasant & part of the victories. They spoke and sang of these when in the field at night - taking care of family business - watching over the flocks. David doesn't just think about God's mighty acts, he feels in his soul about God's love as the events are told. Not only in David's family, God is part of his nation, his land, God dwells all around Him. God's goodness pours forth.

The awesome, overwhelming righteousness of God dwells not just in the miracle, but in the every day. Blessed be the name of the Lord. David did not suddenly rise up to slay Goliath, David grew up like Jesus. Not just writing the Psalms some day, but living them.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

How David, as a young child, might have pictured God dwelling around him

Father God, Matthew Henry once said the Psalms are a warm place to be. Let us be like David and Jesus - to feel the nature of Your goodness in Your creation. In Jesus, these are our family stories. Abba, we are Yours. Amen and Amen in the name of Jesus.

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Mark 16 ~ they will recover

The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulcher on the Morning of the Resurrection, by Eugene Burnand, c. 1898

Mark 16

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.


12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.


Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The fear of most things makes most people mostly stay home. Even just what is uncomfortable causes most people to avoid it. I had a friend in college, Suzanne, she could gather a crowd and make fun happen. She could get people to drive across the state of Texas to bring trucks and equipment so all the people she could gather from our dorm would have a day at Lake Somerville. One day she asked me to come to her dorm room at 2:00 on a Friday and not mention it to anyone. When I arrived she was so embarrassed and began to tell me she is intelligent. I agreed. She said she wanted to go to church, but when people talked they seemed to know all of it. What? The people they talk about. I was puzzled. Suzanne explained some more. I was still puzzled. Finally I had some comprehension. You mean "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?" Right!

How difficult it is to come to Church and not know what is going on. How many people come to Church & leave because it is uncomfortable? Watching the Church Lady on Saturday Night Live is enough to cause anyone to bolt.

What about the phrase "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ... it sounds medieval.

The first day of the New Covenant - when God decided to create Heaven and abolish death by giving us His Son, Jesus - no one was feeling peaceful. Easter Sunday had a tremendous amount of fear. All of the Saints were acting very humanly. They were hiding, filled with trembling & astonishment. The embalming of Jesus was left to the women (the disciples were so much in hiding they didn't know the body of Jesus already has 75 pounds of spices) because the men were in fear of their lives. None of the children of God had it remotely figured out.

This first day they had more disbelief than hope. And God didn't take the hope from them or punish them for their less than saintly reactions. They didn't know how to react.

What happened next is known throughout the world. This is the fear of the Lord, it is only the beginning of the wisdom. They did recover from their fear. Not because they became more saintly, but through the gift of God. With their belief, with their courage, with the overwhelming help of God's Spirit, Jesus Christ changed the heavens and the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Psalm 9 ~ He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted

Psalm 9 (New International Version)

Audio Link, Psalm 9

To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben - Here at the head of Psalm 9, appears the subscription. Muth-labben means literally, "the death of the Champion" and also belongs to Psalm 8 - a Psalm of David dedicated to his victory over Goliath, the giant of flesh.

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.

² I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

³ My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.

⁴ For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

⁵ You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

⁶ Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.

⁷ The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.

⁸ He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.

⁹ The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

¹⁰ Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

¹¹ Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.

¹² For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

¹³ O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,

¹⁴ that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.

¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

¹⁶ The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
Higgaion [musical device representing meditation, solemn sound]
Selah.

⁷ The wicked return to the grave,
all the nations that forget God.

¹⁸ But the needy will not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

¹⁹ Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.

²⁰ Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
Selah

Biblical historians say this Psalm is David giving his victory over Goliath to God. David proclaims the nature of God is steadfast love and justice. David comments on the aspects of trouble - at God's rebuke, the wicked are destroyed forever. The wicked ensnares himself.



Pottery shard found in Gath, Goliath's hometown. With the Phoenician word Goliath written on it.

1 Samuel 17:4
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall.


The tiny shard was unearthed at the site, near a destroyed Phoenician fort, where the Bible says the shepherd boy David killed the giant Goliath. The pottery shard, written in the language used by the Hebrews at the time, has been dated to as early as 975BC, based on burned olive pits found nearby that have been carbon-dated at Oxford University. Researchers have not yet been able to decipher the full text of its five lines but they have translated the words for "king", "judge", and "slave," suggesting it was written by a trained scribe in the king's court.

Father God, You are present in the joyful times and the times of trouble. When our troubles seem as large as Goliath, we trust in You for help and deliverance. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Psalm 103 ~ as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transressions from us

Psalm 103 (New International Version)

Audio Link for Psalm 103

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children -

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

²² Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

^~12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

At the end of the 22nd Chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us we should know the Scriptures and know the power of God.

It's good to know the perception of Christians when the worldly ask questions to figure it out, 30,000 randomly selected adults were questioned from 48 continental states.

In 2009 Barna Group decided "Casual Christians were the up and coming segment of Christianity. This is the way the media at large focuses on Christianity: -Casual Christians represent 66% of the adult population of the U.S - driven by a desire for a pleasant and peaceful existence - moderation. Theologically nominal Christians - It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. - Never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices."

Now check out the name given to the second half of Christianity by the Barna Group:

"16% of the U.S. are Captive Christians. Captive Christians are focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible. Captive Christians consider Casuals to not be genuine followers of Christ."

I really would place myself in the belief catagory of upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths gleaned from the Bible. But I wouldn't call myself captive. I know the Truth and it has set me free. I Hold Firmly to 1 Thessalonians for the whole Body of Christ.

The Church is growing from people leaving denominations and going to unaffiliated Churches.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

All those people questioned... were slant questioned... questions can be leading.

Where is our Christian Growth Headed?

According to News from the National Council of Churches & The Pew Forum - not the moderate theology denominations. This data isn't just random questions. This is the attendance numbers and the money received in the churches. This is the actual accounting for attrition/matriculation of member counts and the tithes.

Now we've established these are the facts for real growth, who is it? Orthodox Churches, Catholic Churches & The Unaffiliated Bible Believing Churches.

My church affiliation - Anglican Missions in America and all of the Common Cause - Christ believing, Scripture believing Churches are one of the fastest growing denominations in the USA.

What do the growing Churches believe?

We are seeing a Revival.

John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

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Matthew 25:14-30 ~ You delivered

Writing in the Sand, painted by Carl Bloch

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants [bondservants] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, [A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. [bondservant] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

If we condense this passage the way Jesus condensed God's Word:

Matthew 22:37-40
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

How does God love us in this passage:
~ God trusts us with what belongs to Him
~ God wants to be generous
~ God will invite us into His Kingdom to live His joy
~ God, who is on High, has regard for us - dust in the wind, a fading flower.
~ God expects what we would do for a friend, an employer - we would be willing to do for Him.
~ God determines not all are fit for His Kingdom.

When people, our life spans are so brief, judge God - the Eternal Almighty - with their lives and years of judgement words, they have rendered judgement upon themselves. It really isn't good to be one of the people campaigning against God to others.

Psalm 18:25-26

²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

Father God, Abba, we live in a fallen world, & we are not worthy to receive all of Your goodness. Help us each day to love You with all of our heart, to love ourselves, to love others as You would have us to. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Matthew 25:1-13 ~ the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 25:1-13

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

~ The Kingdom of Heaven

If you are around the Christian crowd for any length of time, you hear about "God-incidences." The idea being God has a plan and there are not coincidences, but being part of God's plan and instead having an affirmation. Like the story of Abraham's oldest servant...

Genesis 24:1,2
And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had..

7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

Abraham's faithful servant, was also a person of faith..

12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

A bible passage to say, God-incident instead of coincidence. The love story of Rebekah & Isaac. Genesis 24

This week, I've had two God-incidences - my husband asked me to go to the store for one item - that hasn't happened in a long, long time - it isn't the way we organize our lives. So the car radio is on and the subject is a woman interviewed on our Christian radio, which usually plays songs. The subject is coping with a child's death at the 2nd Anniversary. Next month will be our daughter Isabelle's 2nd birthday - the day she arrived in Heaven.

The interviewed mother is asked what was the most difficult part to overcome? Her answer was great. She said her surviving daughter was crying and weeping her heart out on the stairs one day. Her young daughter asked her mom, "Why does it have to be this hard? Why?" And the mom said, "Life is hard, but because Jesus did the hardest part, we can have hope." Perfect.

The next few days, I clicked on an upbeat Houston (my city) Christian Blog, it is a ray of 'Sonshine'. Usually. And the subject was helping a family cope with the loss of a child. What the positive steps were to continue to help the bereaved. This was a difficult one... because the guest writer is a mom who lost her child - a month ago. It made me remember, things are just a blur at first. I felt sorry for the mom trying to teach others to cope with something so deep, at such a hard time in her life. Almost as if, "well that is done now... a month ago... tell us how it went for you..."

The Kingdom of Heaven ~

The Kingdom of Heaven isn't just about being prepared in your soul. Although so many of the grieving stories are about sudden death. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Preparing for the Kingdom of Heaven is about how we feel when others, we love, pass on before us. How much oil will you have in your lamp?

When you have experienced grief, like the loss of a child, the loss of a parent to suicide - people feel comfortable to tell you about their grief. Americans. are. not. comfortable. with. grief. Americans cling to the belief that if you have grief and tragedy - you've earned it. Let me tell you the hard part about grief - it is lonely and it hurts for a long time.

Jesus wept.

If you Google overcoming grief , you will find, and people will tell you in the face of raw - fresh grief - you will never recover from this..... pages and pages of people chatting about how they are not going to recover. Encouraging isn't it? Public opinion is.. this is unending. That is so counter-productive. Loss eases over time. We can do what no loved one would ever hope we would do - to cling to our loss. No, strive for the future - the eternal gift of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Now, be reasonable. God likes moderation. We should tell the Lord and tell people when we hurt.

Philippians 4:5
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand

One of my favorite novels, written by Susan Howatch "Wheel of Fortune" has a saying about grief that has stuck with me for about 25 years. I'm going to have to paraphrase. "There is no time table for grief. Grief is standing in the ocean on a peaceful day, turning to see the buildings on the coast, and being driven to your knees by a stray wave."

Grief.. should have the hope of the virgins with oil for their lamp. The night is dark, the torch doesn't hide the darkness, the light burns bright. We will move forward with joy.

We have treasure in Heaven.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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