Psalm 44 ~ we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered

Psalm 44

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

O God, we have heard with our ears,
our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days,
in the days of old:
² you with your own hand drove out the nations,
but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples,
but them you set free;
³ for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them.

⁴ You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation for Jacob!
⁵ Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
⁶ For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
⁷ But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
⁸ In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever.
Selah

⁹ But you have rejected us and disgraced us
and have not gone out with our armies.
¹⁰ You have made us turn back from the foe,
and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
¹¹ You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations.
¹² You have sold your people for a trifle,
demanding no high price for them.
¹³ You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
¹⁴ You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
¹⁵ All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face
¹⁶ at the sound of the taunter and reviler,
at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

¹⁷ All this has come upon us,
though we have not forgotten you,
and we have not been false to your covenant.
¹⁸ Our heart has not turned back,
nor have our steps departed from your way;
¹⁹ yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
and covered us with the shadow of death.
²⁰ If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
²¹ would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
²² Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

²³ Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
²⁴ Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
²⁵ For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
our belly clings to the ground.
²⁶ Rise up; come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

We don't live in a world where we dress for our worship, arrive early, to pick out the animal who will have their throat slit for our sins. Evidently ~ our Psalmist felt some concern for the animals doomed to die. Interesting since the Sons of Korah were Priests at the Temple.

This Psalm echoes Job (the Psalms written in 1,000 B.C., Job in 600 B.C.). People wonder if God hears them. Is God sleeping?

Psalm 44 begins with the acknowledgement all we have is God's. And continues that thought as we, with the Psalmist, wonder about the fairness of life.

We are not so different from David who cried out to the Lord and this Psalmist - who lived 3,000 years ago. (Or Job living 2,400 years ago.)

According to Mark 12:27
He is not God of the dead, but of the living.

Even the people who give justice with mercy, walking humbly with the Lord ~ Wonder. This isn't new to the LORD. David faced days he had justice issues and his own ideas of victory.

What would set David, & these writers - the Sons of Korah, David saw had the Spirit of God, apart? Even in frustration, David would look to Father God. People of faith look for God to care when they ask Him.

Proverbs 24:14
Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Psalm 96:12
let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

Isaiah 40:9
You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"


We know of Job's misery. David's worries. We know our own doubts. God triumphs.




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2 Chronicles 30 ~ Feast of Unleavened Bread

Passover in Israel - 50,000 people attend at the Western Wall

2 Chronicles 30

Listen - click to open in new tab

1 Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. 2 For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month— 3 for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— 4 and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. 5 So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. 6 So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. 8 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

10 So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. 11 However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.

13 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. 14 They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away and threw into the Kidron Valley. 15 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord. 16 They took their accustomed posts according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord. 18 For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness.” [not according to the cleanness of holiness] 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21 And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might [with instruments of might] to the Lord. 22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

23 Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the feast for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great numbers. 25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

Passover in the country of Israel, in Jerusalem, at the Wailing Wall.


Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

Imagine your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents being told the country of Israel was to be reformed after World War II. They would be incredulous. We live in an amazing time.

Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Even Israel has been reformed from exiles flung all around the world before.

We are told in Jesus Christ we are grafted into God's family by adoption. Israel fought the countries surrounding them for generations:


Moab – child of Lot's daughter

Edom - Essau - Jacob's brother who gave up his blessing for red stew.

Philistia – Philistines - Canaan - Noah's son

Cush - Babylon - Noah's son

Perhaps if we were to honor and love the Lord more, we would have more of the peace Hezekiah miraculously found even as the Assyrian Empire chose not to enter into Judea. Peace in the face of danger.



I had no idea so much Christian art was in the Capital Building. Nor did I know that the building was used for Church services for over 100 years.



Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.




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Matthew 16:1-19 ~ no sign

Matthew 16:1-19



And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

So he left them and departed. 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [the Greek words for Peter and rock sound similar ] I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

You have to love Jesus. In our Tuesday Women's Bible Study, it was pointed out Mark 1 has everything Jesus does happening very quickly. The words immediately, directly, all at once - all words of Jesus' power.

Jesus IS the Son of God. The men writing the Scripture - Are - directed by the Holy Spirit. Many times the way the paragraphs and the sentences, the Scriptures are written, convey a greater meaning. I've been advised - don't put in a whole Chapter - it's too long - it won't hold the reader's attention. Yes and No. One, we are here to worship and love the Lord. Two, every single word of the Lord has meaning. Even when we look at different versions, and different languages - God's meaning is powerful.

So..... today. Jesus is laughing at the Pharisees. A sign. A sign. A sign. One? No. Not one sign. Multitudes. Pharisees, behold the deaf hear, the blind see .... and..... the Pharisees remain unconvinced... enough to pry their fingers off of their positions of influence and power.

Notice how these paragraphs of God's Word are put together. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Yes, God's word is amazing. Jesus skirmishes with the religious (not relationship) and takes His followers to Caesarea. Caesarea - why - this is the power the Temple of God's Pharisees are resting on. 'King' Herod is not from David's line and Judea is a Roman/client/puppet state. Caesarea is Caesar's city and Herod is appointing the Priests of the Temple.

Jesus takes His followers to "Rome" to tell them: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

No other organization, Empire, has 2,000 years.... except God.

Here is the Royal Stoa - Herod built this public building - was used for the purchase, sale of animals for sacrifices, and exchanging coins for Tyrian half-sheckels which were regularly paid by pilgrims as tax for the Temple upkeep. Not the building Jesus used for teaching - but where Jesus would have gone to throw over the tables. Jesus said den of thieves as He threw the tables over.

Okay, pulling up the picture of the Royal Stoa and an archaeological fragment of it...



Fragment left by the 70 AD destruction by later Emperor Titus. 70 AD would have been Jesus' natural lifespan.



So, today's passage has Jesus telling His followers in Caesarea about the coming Church. Jesus' Church. The Rock. In Caesarea.

Here is a picture of the first St. Peter's Basilica built by Emperor Constantine from 326 -333 AD. It was of typical basilica architecture. Romans were famous for the architecture. Domes, Arches, Concrete, Columns - there were many forms this building could have taken. Typical basilica (basilica - Roman public building) architecture was the Royal Stoa beside the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. Herod had built a Roman basilica on the 36 acres of the Temple. 103.6 metres (340 ft) Emperor Constantine (who naively believed Christian citizens would be more controllable) built a very similar basilica upon Peter's tomb:


"There are no coincidences, just works of God."

Jesus saw His Church would overcome the gates of hell, He saw it would be overcome Roman Empire authority. Think of all the criticisms of the Church. How many times men have used God's Church for their own power. God's Christian Church is sometimes the Pharisees Jesus spoke against. And before we are all worked up over the inadequacies of the Church, let's remember this is Scripture for us... today.

Who were the Pharisees? They were the people who valued their image more than they valued a relationship with God's Son. They are... me.... and you.

John 2:24-25
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus, ultimately, did entrust His life to God and gave that life for you. He knows what is in the heart of mankind. He knows about the Popes who didn't give grace and mercy. He knows about the crusades to burn people into loving the Lord. He know the priests who gave such pain to people trying to follow Jesus. He knows you and your heart. Your gifts and your sins.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Father God, open our hearts to You. Let us be willing to be gathered to You as Your Child. Let us rest in Your Grace. In the name of Jesus Christ. We pray for Your world-wide Church for Your love to fill and direct the people You send. Let us be Your Temple and not Herod's Royal Stoa. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Psalm 18 ~ He heard my voice

Psalm 18

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

¹ I love you, LORD, my strength.

² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

³ I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹² Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
¹³ The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
¹⁴ He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
¹⁵ The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

²⁰ The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
²¹ For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I am not guilty of turning from my God.
²² All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
²³ I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
²⁴ The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

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 devious you show yourself shrewd.
²⁷ You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
²⁸ You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.

³⁷ I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
³⁸ I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
³⁹ You armed me with strength for battle;
you humbled my adversaries before me.
⁴⁰ You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
⁴¹ They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the LORD, but he did not answer.
⁴² I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
I trampled them like mud in the streets.
⁴³ You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
⁴⁴ foreigners cower before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
⁴⁵ They all lose heart;
they come trembling from their strongholds.

⁴⁶ The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
⁴⁷ He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
⁴⁸ who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name.

⁵⁰ He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing love to his anointed,
to David and to his descendants forever.

After He heard my voice, and beautiful promises, God promises His Unfailing Love.

Jeremiah heard this in Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31

¹ "At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people."
²Thus says the LORD:"The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
³the LORD appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
⁴ Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
⁵ Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
⁶For there shall be a day when watchmen will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
'Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the LORD our God.'"

⁷For thus says the LORD: "Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'O LORD, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
⁸Behold, I will bring them from the north country
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
⁹ With weeping they shall come,
and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
I will make them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble,
for I am a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

¹⁰"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.'
¹¹ For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
¹²They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more.
¹³ Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
¹⁴ I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,

declares the LORD."

¹⁵Thus says the LORD: "A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more."

¹⁶Thus says the LORD:"Keep your voice from weeping,
and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work,
declares the LORD,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
¹⁷ There is hope for your future,
declares the LORD,
and your children shall come back to their own country.
¹⁸I have heard Ephraim grieving,'You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
like an untrained calf;
bring me back that I may be restored,
for you are the LORD my God.
¹⁹For after I had turned away, I relented,
and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh;
I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
²⁰ Is Ephraim my dear son?
Is he my darling child?
For as often as I speak against him,
I do remember him still.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
I will surely have mercy on him,

declares the LORD.

²¹ "Set up road markers for yourself;
make yourself guideposts;
consider well the highway,
the road by which you went.
Return, O virgin Israel,
return to these your cities.
²² How long will you waver,
O faithless daughter?
For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth:
a woman encircles a man."

²³Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes:

"'The LORD bless you, O habitation of righteousness,
O holy hill!'

²⁴ And Judah and all its cities shall dwell there together, and the farmers and those who wander with their flocks. ²⁵For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."

²⁶At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.

²⁷ "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast. ²⁸And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD. ²⁹In those days they shall no longer say:

"'The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge.'

³⁰ But everyone shall die for his own sin. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

³¹ "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, ³²not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. ³³ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
³⁵Thus says the LORD,who gives the sun for light by day
and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the LORD of hosts is his name:
³⁶ "If this fixed order departs
from before me, declares the LORD,
then shall the offspring of Israel cease
from being a nation before me forever."

³⁷Thus says the LORD:"If the heavens above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth below can be explored,
then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel
for all that they have done,

declares the LORD."

³⁸ "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. ³⁹ And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. ⁴⁰ The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be uprooted or overthrown anymore forever."

I am a gardener and remember flowers sometimes bloom their brightest after stress. God hears us when we call to Him.


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1 Corinthians 13 ~ love

1 Corinthians 13

¹ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship [or to flames] that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This week our family is gathering to see a cousin of our's marry. Many years ago this 32 year old man was in a school carpool with our 3 year old son, when our cousin was a teenager. He is a terrific man - has worked for several years in a Christian camp as a counselor and helping to run the camp. Now he is in the green building industry. He is Christian, personable, handsome, muscular and has been without a significant love interest for most of his life. One day some one asked him to fill in one of the Christian dating sites. He did - a little listlessly - not even filling in a lot of the questions. His first date was love at first sight and she is like his female bookend, it almost every way. She didn't answer the questions completely either. She is beautiful as he is handsome.

In the middle of all the things in life that are bothersome, troublesome, disturbing - here are two people pledging themselves together for life. For love. God is Good. And there are so many people rushing to give these good people a party, Christmas is going to look very slow in comparison.

Father God, bless our cousin and his bride with many years of Your favor and grace as they walk through their years together. Thank You for Your many blessings for this family who have gathered together for generations and decades. In the name of Jesus, I ask. Amen.


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Matthew 17:24-27 ~ give it to them for me and for yourself

Matthew 17:24-27

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

²⁴ When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" ²⁵ He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" ²⁶ And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.

²⁷ However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."

This passage amazed me when I discovered it the first time. I had to read it again. God meeting Jesus' financial need. And Jesus needed money. A really prime example of Jesus as a man. It wasn't until many years later I saw Jesus sharing what He received with Peter. Rarely done in the world of taxation. It has to be right up there with the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Isaiah 29:18
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

So, Peter was saved financial expense. It wasn't what kept Peter's heart.

Peter ran from Jesus during His time of greatest need. And Peter hid himself for days thereafter.

When Peter saw Jesus several times after His Resurrection, Peter was the first one (not to walk on water to Jesus, Peter was done trusting in his own righteousness) to swim to Jesus. Why? Jesus was willing to forgive Peter. Peter knew he would be forgiven.

Forgiveness expands our lives in all directions. And possibilities. God works all things towards good.

John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

John 21:12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.





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Prayer Request

On Wednesday my husband and I took our Springer Spaniel, Merit, to Texas A&M Veterinarian Small Animal Clinic to see a Dermatologist. Merit was diagnosed with skin Lymphoma. The wonderful veterinarian was so touchingly kind, saying Dermatologist Vets rarely see death and it was sad to her to give her diagnosis to such a good dog and kind people.

We would like your prayers for healing for our 13 year old Spaniel. The diagnosis is terminal in just a few weeks to months. Merit is 13 and we are so fortunate to have had So Many Good Years with this stellar, good boy, Dog. The Vet agreed that at Merit's age - he could still have something like a cataclysmic event (like heart attack) and go to God's heaven for loved and loving animals of His creation.

Of course 13 is like 90 people years, so your prayers are for peaceful passing for this wonderful, wonderful dog. We've met with our Church Couples Group for 11 years now. Merit is known as the dog who would stand on his hind legs to put his front paws into the holding hands praying group. He is just that kind of dog.

I am hopeful. And today thinking of Elijah being picked up in a chariot to go to Heaven pulled by horses sent by God. Someday I hope to be with Merit and see Elijah's horses. And when I get to one of the 12 gates of Heaven, each with a Pearl Gate, I want to see a very particular dog with his beautiful gated run. Betcha I will.

Thanks for your prayers. Much appreciated.


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11/26 Merit continues to be the bouncy, happy dog he has always been. Still cartwheeling around when the leash is in sight. Loves to walk. For the last two days - he has not needed his medication. Really great quality of life unless a bread product is eaten. Edward & I feel like he is prayed for and doing well. Sometimes he is tired or less than mobile than before. I continue to pray for him each time he is medicated, fed or just needs some loving. So, Lord, Father God - thank You. Amen.

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1/12/12 We are continuing to thank Father God. Merit has been healed. We were told his wounds would turn in to tumors. They did. We were told he would and could take up to 6 steroid tablets a day. He did. We were asked how many of these tablets we would purchase and I suggested 100. Our wonderful and caring Vet looked doubtful. I asked how long. And she replied between 3 weeks and several months. The Vet said no healing would occur because this is cancer. The tumors are gone and Merit continues to be healthy and happy. It has been several months now since he required any steroid tablet. His tumors are gone. He does not have an open wound on him any where.

Thank You, Father God. Thank You, for the people who prayed for Merit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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May 7th, 2012

A Continued Thank You, Father God! Thank You, for the people who prayed for Merit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

About a month ago Merit had an abscess in his front canine causing his muzzle to swell up very considerably. He went to a new, local Vet and that Vet was rather incredulous that Merit is 13.5 years old. He asked me if I was sure. Yes, Merit was born in September of 1998. He healed very well with one round of antibiotics and has his teeth scrubbed with a wash cloth with canine toothpaste. He is doing marvelously well and runs and jumps like a dog at least 10 years younger.  God has blessed me with a very wonderful dog. And I thank HIM!


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Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Texas A&M University
(979) 845-2351
www.cvm.tamu.edu

Dermatology Discharge Summary

Owner:
Anne Gardere


Patient: #201135, Merit
DOB: 00/00/98
Weight: 42.55 lb, 19.3 kg

Referring Veterinarian:
Angels Pet Hospital
24734 Kuykendahl Rd.
Tomball, TX 77375
Phone: 281-290-0360
Fax: 281-255-3829
Admission Date: August 2011

Discharge Date: October 19, 2011

Recheck Date- As needed

Clinician: Alison D DVM

Student: Cami W, 4VM


Thank you for entrusting us with Merit's veterinary care. Please read this letter carefully. Parts of this letter are written for your own understanding with other areas reserved for your primary care veterinarian.

Merit, a Castrated Male, Black/white, English Springer Spaniel Canine was admitted to the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital on October 19, 2011 .

Reason for Visit / Problems - Steroid-responsive pruritus and scaling of 2 months duration

History - Merit is an indoor dog that receives monthly Heartgard and Frontline. He has not had skin issues his entire life until the age of 11 when he had two hot spots that healed spontaneously. In August of 2011 on a drive to Dallas, Merit excoriated and lacerated his axillary and chest area. He was taken to his primary care veterinarian who prescribed prednisone and 500mg of Cephalexin. Merit only got one dose of prednisone but finished his 2 week course of antibiotics. His pruritus completely stopped within 24 hours of taking the medication and for 1 week after they were finished. The lesions healed some but not completely. One week after finishing the antibiotics, the pruritus and self mutilation returned. Merit was put on another 2 week course Cephalexin with no steroids. This time the pruritus remained. Merit has been on Science Diet all his life but was recently switched to gluten free Taste of the Wild Salmon and Lamb. He is current on his vaccinations and his only surgeries to date were his neuter and sebaceous cyst removal. He lives with 1 healthy cat.

Physical Examination - T= 101.6F, P= 160bpm, RR= pant, CRT<2s, MM=pink/moist
On physical examination Merit was bright, alert, and responsive. His heart sounds were strong and regular with no murmurs ausculted. His lungs were clear bilaterally. He had moderate dental calculus on both arcades.

Dermatological Examination -
Merit's skin had generalized marked exfoliative scaling, especially apparent over the dorsum and shoulder area. He had a large crust with matted hair behind his left ear, and a small scab behind his right ear. He had multifocal large erythematous plaques with crusts and severe exfoliative dermatitis located over his chest, lateral limbs, axillary regions, and ventrum. His perineal area was inflamed and matted with a large crust located ventrally. The rest of the mucous membranes however did not appear to be affected. There were several areas of depigmentation on the paw pads (all four feet, multiple pads affected); uncertain whether normal for the dog or depigmentation change in skin.

Diagnostic Tests & Procedures -

Skin scrapings- Negative for demodex mites
Skin impression cytology- Skin cytology revealed abundant, round lymphocytes, mostly uniform in appearance with a moderately abundant cytoplasm. His rectal area showed numerous cocci and neutrophilic streaming.
Skin biopsy- Declined at this time
CBC-
Test Result Reference Unit
WBC 5.8 6.0 - 17.0 ul
Red Blood Cell Count 6.08 5.50 - 8.50 M/ul
Hemoglobin 14.6 10.0 - 20.0 g/dl
Packed Cell Volume 41.7 31.0 - 56.0 %
Mean Corpuscular Volume 68.5 60.0 - 77.0 fl.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration 34.9 32.0 - 36.0 g/dl
Plasma Protein 8.0 6 - 8 TS-g/dl
Platelet Count (Automated) clumped 200000 - 500000 /ul
Segmented Neutrophils 69 60 - 77 %
Absolute Neutrophil 4002 3000 - 11500
Lymphocytes 16 12 - 30 %
Absolute Lymphocyte 928 1000 - 4800
Monocytes 11 3 - 10 %
Absolute Monocyte 638 150 - 1250
Eosinophil 4 2 - 10 %
Absolute Eosinophil 232 100 - 1250
Test Interpretation: Within normal limits

Panel Interpretation Result
RBC Morphology Poikilocytosis 1+
RBC Morphology Rouleaux slight
RBC Morphology Anisocytosis slight
Platelets Estimated Count appear adeq
Platelets Platelet Morphology clumped
Neutrophil Morphology Normal X
Neutrophil Morphology Reactive Lymphocytes few
Sample Notations - Integrity of Sample Hemolysis 2+
Sample Notations - Integrity of Sample Disclaimer: Sample <1/2 full, excess EDTA can result in decreased MCV and increased MCHC.

Chemistry-
Test Result Reference Unit
Glucose 84. 60 - 135 mg/dl
Lactic Acid 32.3 9.9 - 46.8 mg/dl
Cholesterol 450. 120 - 247 mg/dl
Blood Urea Nitrogen 27. 5 - 29 mg/dl
Creatinine 1.04 .3 - 2 mg/dl
Magnesium 1.9 1.7 - 2.1 mg/dl
Calcium 11.0 9.3 - 11.8 mg/dl
Phosphorus 5.9 2.9 - 6.2 mg/dl
Total Protein 7.6 5.7 - 7.8 g/dl
Albumin 3.2 2.4 - 3.6 g/dl
Globulin 4.4 1.7 - 3.8 g/dl
Alanine Aminotransferase 43. 10 - 130 U/L
Alkaline Phosphatase 378. 24 - 147 U/L
Gamma Glutamyltransferase 26. 0 - 25 U/L
Total Bilirubin .4 0 - .8 mg/dl
Sodium 147. 139 - 147 mmol/L
Potassium 4.8 3.3 - 4.6 mmol/L
Chloride 116. 107 - 116 mmol/L
Enzymatic Carbon Dioxide 19. 21 - 28 mmol/L
Anion Gap (Calculated) 17. 10 - 18 mmol/L

Test Interpretation: Within normal limits
Panel Interpretation Result
Special Notes and Comments Lipemia 2+

Diagnosis/Differential Diagnoses - Cutaneous lymphoma (highly suspicious based on finding of large lymphocytes on cytology)

Therapy -

Medication
Generic (trade) Class or
Indication Administration Directions
Trimeprazine Tartrate And Prednisolone, Tablet Antihistamine and steroid Give 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours as needed. You can alter this dosage as you see fit to keep Merit comfortable, with a limit of 6 total/day.

Radiation and chemotherapy- Discussed treatment options for cutaneous lymphoma with owners; declined at this time

Call if you note - Merit becomes uncomfortable (too itchy, painful, stops eating, extremely lethargic) or has an acute worsening of signs that worries you.

Client Instructions -
Cutaneous (epitheliotrophic) lymphoma is an aggressive form of cancer that arises from cells known as lymphocytes. It can, but does not usually affect the internal organs. Cutaneous lymphoma is usually diagnosed by biopsy, however Merit's skin cytology was extremely convincing for a diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma; the cells noted were neoplastic in appearance just from the impression alone.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for dogs with cutaneous lymphoma is poor, even with treatment. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy with CCNU are available therapies, and generally only extend the lifespan by a few months. It's hard to say exactly what Merit's life will be like in the next few months. Our hope however is that the Temaril-P will provide some degree of comfort for him. You can vary the amount you give him as his symptoms change to keep him comfortable, giving him up to 6 tablets daily if necessary. You know Merit better than anyone, and he will let you know when it is time to say goodbye.

We are terribly sorry to be the bearer of such bad news and wish we could have given Merit something easy like a skin infection. He is a very sweet dog and we know that he has been an important part of your lives for a very long time. Take comfort in knowing that you have given Merit a long and fulfilling life. He is an "old man" in dogs years and has been extremely healthy up until this point. We are available to talk to you if you have any questions in the upcoming months, so please don't hesitate to call.


__________________________________ __________________________________
Alison D, DVM Cami W, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology Senior Veterinary Medicine Student
Prescription refills are normally to be filled by the veterinarian who is reassessing your pet’s medical condition. Please contact your primary local veterinarian for prescription refills if he or she is performing follow-up care/rechecks of your pet’s dermatological condition. Routinely allow 1-3 business days for prescription refills submitted through the TAMU-VMTH pharmacy (979-845-9118). The Dermatology Department is not open after business hours, on weekends, or on holidays. Emergency care is available 24/7 through the TAMU-VMTH Emergency Service (979-845-2351).

Please see note in the middle of the page dated 1/12/12


11/21/12
Merit, our Springer Spaniel, celebrated his 14th Birthday September 23, 2012. His intake of Prednisone increased from occasional to 5 or 6 tablets a day in November. On November 21st, we noticed Merit was having trouble standing and sitting down. We took him to the veterinarian who said his life was not comfortable and he was not having quality of life, my husband, the veterinarian and I decided the humane thing would be euthanasia. We stayed with Merit and as the sun was going to set, Merit went home to be with his Maker.

The day before Thanksgiving was Merit's last day in our home and that seems very appropriate for a dog who gave such love and service making sure I was never in a room alone. Thank You, Father God for an exemplary dog living such a great life of love.  Some the things I will always be grateful for in Merit, as a puppy he never cried for his litter, he never attempted to run away and if left too long in the back yard he would sit by the front door window. The day we bought our second home, he pirouetted through the larger rooms with me. The day the burglar just opened the front door one morning, before I had changed out of pajamas and Merit stood on both hind legs and growled like a bear making the man flee. And the day we discovered the fake snake in the pool, I jumped over the patio furniture carrying 41 pound Merit. I promised him when he was 3 months old he would gradually enjoy our long walks and I was fortunate he was still doing cartwheels over our walk just 3 days ago.

Thank You, Father God, for Merit. We give You thanks Father God for describing Heaven as the lion and the lamb, as well as the horses You sent from Heaven for Elijah. Creation waits longingly for the sons of men and we wait upon the LORD. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Psalm 84 ~ even the sparrow finds a home

Psalm 84

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹ How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
² My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!
Selah

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
⁶ As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

⁸ O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Selah

⁹ Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

We have a little Carolina Wren who lives, as the weather gets cooler, in our front door wreath. It isn't uncommon in our area; a Carolina Wren lives in my friend's flower pot near her backdoor. Our Pastor's wife routinely moves her front door grapevine wreath because they like to nest near people by their doors. I couldn't tell you why. So, right now, I have a prayer request - our 3rd or 4th generation Carolina Wren is in our house flying from room to room - pretty sure it has found the tent wickedness. And ignoring the open door and window. This has happened before and we've discovered they make an amazingly loud chirping in the morning. Except the one time our freshmen geriatric cat found the bird right away. She flew away, but feathers were lost and she looked a little stunned and hurt as if surprised her trip indoors had resulted in a incredible, and astonishing, attack. Prayers for the kitty to stay in the bedroom where he is now.

I love Psalm 84. It is the way we can look to Father God when the wild winds of life howl. God holds our cares like the little nest the Wren burrows into as winter approaches. The nest is just large enough with plenty of nesting materials. Sometimes it holds more than one of them. Mostly they sit quietly together as the door opens and closes. Snug little birds. Until they take a wild hair to dart into their own path. Then prayers are required for God's creature to find the path God intends for the His little creature.

Father God, be with this little bird as this little one hops from room to room looking for the exit. Make the way clear, calm and soothe this one until freedom is found. Thank You, Father God, You care for us and for Your creation. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 10:29-30
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.


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Matthew 10:5-15 ~ acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts

Matthew 10:5-15

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

⁹ Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹ And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ¹² As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³ And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Painting by James Tissot, Jesus Teaching from a Ship

This is Jesus sending His disciples out. Immediately. After making them His disciples. Chapter 12 is when they are reunited. Jesus went on to preach and teach in other cities, evidently, without the disciples in Chapter 11.

Matthew's 10th Chapter goes on to say, as Jesus sends them out to be who they are and to preach the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit, He says:

Matthew 10:24
"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.

Very similar, would be these words and the meaning of God:

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Can you imagine Jesus sent these raw recruits on their way? To do ... God's work. Jesus trusts them to go to it.

~ 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

The very next statement is Jesus repeating twice. The healing is a gift of God. Do not seek pay. Human nature is to find advantage in every situation. Jesus says be a gift. The grace of God is a gift. He doesn't say in this passage to travel to foreign lands and be a missionary. He says God expects us, as untrained theologians, if we believe in Him to do Kingdom work and not to look for the advantage for ourselves.

Okay. The word of God is for us. Today.

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Look around. This is the mission field.

Father God, here are my hands. Here I am. You will send opportunity, You will send Your Holy Spirit. It is not all up to me. You. Send me as You would like. You do not promise we will have miracles in all of our endeavors to bring forth Kingdom work. You promise You are with us through it all. You help us to shake off the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and go forward, in hope of You. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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