Psalm 12 ~ O Lord, you will keep us safe

Psalm 12

1 Help, LORD, for the godly are no more;

the faithful have vanished from among men.
2 Everyone lies to his neighbor;

their flattering lips speak with deception.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips

and every boastful tongue
4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;

we own our lips —who is our master?"
5 "Because of the oppression of the weak

and the groaning of the needy,

I will now arise," says the LORD.

"I will protect them from those who malign them."

6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,

like silver refined in a furnace of clay,

purified seven times.

7 O LORD, you will keep us safe

and protect us from such people forever.
8 The wicked freely strut about

when what is vile is honored among men.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Here are some of the encouraging words:

Matthew 27: 50
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

Flavius Josephus (37 - 100 AD) Jewish general and member of the Jewish priestly aristocracy, turned to the Roman Empire during the destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD. Josephus moved to Rome as historian to three caesars. 1 Antiquities, Book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3 (translated from 4th century Arabic manuscript). An even more phenomenal Greek version of this text exists 325 AD, which some scholars declare was doctored. It is the sole portion of Josephus' work to be questioned and the critics also claim Jesus is a myth. "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. "

The text in 93 AD is undisputed, the book Jewish Antiquities by Josephus. It contains at least one reference to "James, the brother of Jesus called the Christ." Josephus records the death of James in this description ~ it is significant that the most reliable and famous historian of world history in this time period writes as an independent historian & is a man raised as aristocracy in the second temple in Jerusalem.

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Psalm 78:1-39 ~ forgot His works and the wonders that He had shown them

Ipuwer Papyrus

Psalm 78:1-39

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,
turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep God's covenant,
but refused to walk according to his law.
11 They forgot his works
and the wonders that he had shown them.
12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders
in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all the night with a fiery light.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

17 Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out
and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread
or provide meat for his people?”

21 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
24 and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
all around their dwellings.
29 And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
30 But before they had satisfied their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
31 the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed the strongest of them
and laid low the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they still sinned;
despite his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he made their days vanish like a breath,
and their years in terror.
34 When he killed them, they sought him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being compassionate,
atoned for their iniquity
and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again.


Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.

Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Galatians 3:6,7
Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

~ 11 They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.

Numbers 1:46 How many people in the Exodus
all those listed were 603,550.

According to the Exodus, the people of faith grumbled during the 10 plagues and doubted Moses, but believed much sooner than the Pharaoh. The Ipuwer Papyrus, the papyrus in the Leiden Museum in Holland, an eyewitness Egyptian angrily saw the 10 plagues as a human failure of government to control the environment.

The Egyptian writing Ipuwer was angry enough to catalog the disasters, perhaps to insure future disasters should be better regulated, and the response more sure. In typical dynastic empowerment, the Pharaoh’s name is obliterated in the Ipuwer, but the events were terrible enough to keep the reminder. Egyptians wanted to remember.

The children of Israel forgot Father God’s power every time trouble came to them. But God tells them He has not forgotten them, many future generations will hear of His help and His love.



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Psalm 91 ~ Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge —

Matthew 17:20
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”



Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge —
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

My grandmother Anita surprised all of us, the trip we took her to Vicksburg, Mississippi. She was about ninety years old, she ran up and down the steep slopes waving her arms and out talking the guide who rode in the car with us. She explained monuments I'd seen for years.

We have several books on Vicksburg. The stunningly manicured yards in the photos show bombardment and death. We also have my great,great grandmother's dining room wallpaper used for the last Vicksburg newspaper produced on dining room wall paper. The Daily Citizen. Thursday, July 2nd, 1863. The title starts out, "No longer will southerns dine on fricasseed kitten and fried mule". The kitten mentioned belonged to great-great grandmother Sarah. (Talk about your lack of forgiveness, my grandmother said she never said the word Yankee without Damn in front if it; swearing you'd have to get her to celebrate July 4th in Heaven before she would celebrate that.)

Psalm 91 conjures up imaginations of emotions evoked. Seeing people around you fall in a hail of lead bullets. Being trapped in fox holes.

The longing for protection. For dawns' early light.

There are many times in life battles like these occurred. We own several Roman early A.D. coins from ebay; soldiers took coins, buried them before battle, there were not banks nearby, and never returned to them.

And because the Scriptures repeat as the Lord explains to us again, we have several times this shield, these promises are repeated.

John 14:12-14
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Psalm 61:3
For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Proverbs 14:26
Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

When daylight comes and life resumes, one would be shocked. And like the Children of Israel, in the Exodus, wonder how they would be continually sustained. The journey is discovering the Lord is not just a physical shield, but a lifter of heads. God is like that. He does not blow His own trumpet. Instead He allows us the joy of discovering the mysteries in life.

The Gospel. The Bible. The Scriptures. Are the Word of God. The unfolding mystery is for us to live in hope, faith and love. His Word is good. His promises are sure. Jesus Christ the LORD saves and redeems us.

The only gift we can return to HIM is gratitude. With goodness, mercy, the willingness to pray when we have a quiet moment or driving down the road. Because in Him  - we live, move and have our being.

Psalm 40

A Psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!


Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

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John 17:20-26 ~ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

John 17:20-26

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”


For those who will believe in me through their word.


Matthew 10:32
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven

Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Revelation 3:5
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Evidently, God thinks our words are important.

1 Corinthians 14:2-4
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Hebrews 6:18
so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.



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Psalm 12 ~ Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord

Jerusalem, the City of David, he conquered to reclaim for the Tribe of Judah and Israel

Psalm 12

A Psalm of David.

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

7 You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

 What our Savior Jesus Christ Saw from the Cross, painted by James Tissot

Isaiah 59:21
 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”


There is Scripture you will lean forward to look upon. Just as Israel looked for the Messiah for over 700 years.

Why did the Lord choose to send the Messiah to such a time? When Israel was broken into Judea, a suburb of Syria. For one thing the Davidic line was being reclaimed by the Herodians, who struck images of themselves, and called themselves King of Israel. Or Judea.

Would the Lord see Psalm 12 as HIS motivation for the birth of His Son?

John 2:24b -25
He knew all people,and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

How did Jesus see this time frame ?  Remember the Messiah was not born to live in Jerusalem or dwell constantly in the Temple.

Matthew 23:37
“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!"

Luke 23:27
And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

Luke 23:28
But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."


There are a few ideas, in Scripture, of Jesus' emotions upon the Cross and the road to the Cross. Perhaps one of the over looked ideas is of Jesus speaking to the multitudes of women who turned out to weep for Him. They did not have any agenda other than sorrow to see Jesus condemned. No flattering lips. The needy groaned. The people were poor; the government was taking Jesus from them.

Jesus understood the power of His Word very well. How many times did He call the women 'Daughters of Jerusalem'? Only in the Song of Solomon is this recorded. Jesus, I believe, is addressing them not just with prophecy of this day, but in appreciation the daughters of Eve, would try to comfort Him on His road to the cross.

How would this add to this day for Jesus?

Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.



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Luke 10:1-24 ~ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:1-24

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.^{[for so it pleased you well] 22} All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
 
²³ Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”



2 Timothy 3
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Jesus asks a lot. And in His day, things were easier and more difficult to be a follower of His. Not really. It was more difficult. This verse from the Second Book to Timothy Chapter Three, would be the same for the Temple during the life of Jesus.

Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Did Jesus ask Judgement of HIS Disciples?

‘Peace be to this house!

Do not go from house to house. Jesus was saying don't let your evangelism look for a better return upon the investment of time, judging we know the person. Seeing the outcome - guessing the outcome - to bless ourselves.

In our kindness to others - we can be glad in this -
‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’




Jesus also recognizes that people tend to think the same in cluster of people. He speaks to two cities, Jesus was known to acknowledge people tend to be like sheep to herd.

“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

If our efforts don't give us a great reward, wipe the dust off the feet and keep going.

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


Jesus was able to say to Thomas, although you doubt, you must have faith. Jesus wants people, wants you, to have faith. Faith God means what He promises and is able to deliver. Hope the promises are for you. Love that all that can possibly exist loves you as the person God created you to be.

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”




John described Jesus as Love. The goodness of Jesus, we see in this passage, creates currents in the world. Jesus said on the cross, "Forgive them, Father, they do not know what they do." Jesus is telling us to do His Father's work should create in us love and care without so much concern for negative comments.

Rejoice that your names are written in heaven

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”.

Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus has done the hard work for us. We should stretch our faith to believe He is there for us. Working today.




Jesus tells us about Salvation.

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Rejoice in Salvation and allow the mystery of fulfilling salvation to be HIS, in His determination.

Deuteronomy 4:31
For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.



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Proverbs 18 ~ From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.

6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man's gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.

18 The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.

23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.


Pilate once asked Jesus, "What is Truth?"


Jesus told us He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

And He told us He came to give us abundant life. When we think of abundant life, we remember in the Easter season - this was men overcoming fear and constant questioning to finding purpose in their lives.

Each day we make judgements:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Finding abundant life reading - learning- seeing love - being love -  in the Scriptures. A Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus does not abandon us. He did promise this. And His Words work, are living, active, effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

We are building. Or we all should be. Every day. A life of meaning, being salt and light. Well done good and faithful servant. Fight the good fight.

We have Truth to make judgements and decisions in our lives. Jesus told us to invite Him in our hearts in belief gives us the Light that Lights every man.

John 10:10
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I heard today from different sources there is subjective truth - which changes based upon emotion, and situations. Objective truth - which is just and applies evenly over all. And simple truth - which is rare.

Jesus would say Truth, in us, is like this:
Proverbs 14:10
The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

I would offer the Truth is fairly easy to understand. For good reason. God expects us to look to HIM. Look up.

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

Subjective Truth. Life throws situations and issues at us. In each verse in the 3,000 pages of God's Word, the events require Truth being ascertained and acted upon. We can not always turn the other cheek. We can not always demand what we believe to be our rights at that time. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

For these quotes alone - we learn what Paul lived - life is an adventure - listening to others becomes something intriguing. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Objective Truth.
Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

We can always look at the Word to see what has occurred to others to see what He says in the events in our lives. It is in studying the Word we see, ascertain and are able to apply HIS wisdom to our lives. We have to read the Word. Believe the Word. And work the Word. One of the huge benefits of Christianity, we are in Jesus learning His purpose for our lives. He helps us understand the meaning of our lives.

Fools -
isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

Laziness-
9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.



Wickedness
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.

12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.


We actually are capable as adults of understanding, clearly after about age 7, the difference between right and wrong. Perhaps we need to focus on something elusive to us.

James 3

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.


Words
Remembering Jesus is the Word of God

John 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook

6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.

8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.



Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

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Acts 10:24-48 ~ Cornelius met Him

The Annunciation, painted by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 – 1937) first African American to gain international fame.

Acts 10:24-48

24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, [3 p.m.] and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 10, begins by telling us Cornelius:
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”
 

The Scriptures are not clear if Cornelius, a centurion in the Book of Acts, was the same centurion whose servant was healed & Jesus found the greatest faith in Israel, Matthew 8 & Luke 7. Both centurions were credited for generosity. I have to say, I always hoped so, for his faith to be so blessed.

This centurion fell at Peter's feet for the honor at a visit, in his home, from Jesus' rock.


Luke 7:2-9
The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." ⁶So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." ⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.

Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Linking the Biblical narratives today is important. Many people travel just to feel the presence of God. The Centurions given the great honor of Biblical memory makes  an important point - nationality or place isn't important to the Lord, but Faith is.

1 Corinthians 15:5-8
And that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.



1 Kings 19:11-13
¹¹ The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"


Psalm 139
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.

 

Father God, always present with us, we rejoice in Your goodness. Amen.




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