Matthew 6 ~ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6


“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets ^[+], as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,^{[temptation can also mean testing.]}
but deliver us from the evil one.
^{[Some late manuscripts add,  for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]}

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[generous] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[stingy], your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We face a tough crowd when we discuss Matthew.  More people begin reading the New Testament, making Matthew the most widely read book in all the world. In fact, it's said, "Matthew - the most important book of all Christendom."


Jesus sat down to speak this. Intimacy meets who you really are. When you read this, read this as His conversational answer to your prayer. Frequently while thinking, I draw a cartoon speaking circle around these thoughts and add Him in conversationally. He is there always.

Aren't you touched with the intimacy of the chapter. The reality of the Scriptures. Each day has its troubles. Don't worry so much. Find the sufficiency of what He brings. We have to do this with effort.

Effort. Jesus said here intentions are important. Jesus sat with this crowd. Be comfortable, be with God. There is no hair shirt. No austere precipice. Jesus is comfortable with His people. This part we are reading, Matthew arranged this talk into three Chapters. More than likely the people sat with Jesus, and Matthew records the conclusion we can relate to - the people recorded feeling awe at Jesus.

Matthew 7
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.


Isaiah 28:9-10
Whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.

I hope I'm conveying the picture. Jesus lives, moves and dwells with us.

Revelation 4

‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

 God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega,  Shepherd of our souls, would name you, choose you and want your attention, your love. The joy of knowing, He is there with you. Effort, the effort to please Him. The God who would sit with us to teach us - is pleased with us just to seek Him. Like a Father is pleased when His children lean to Him.


Motivations - God did not give us Matthew 6 as a rule, He gave this as Spirit. There are times to speak when this encourages others. Probably you knew that!

Worry less. Entertain problem solving. God inspires us when we have a need, knowing to think within the boundaries a loving Father would give us, is part of His Plan. Give us the Day. Daily bread. Living Bread.  In Seeking to please the Lord, we do. Fairly simple idea.

Emmanuel- God with us. Hallelujah. Hallelu Yah. Yah is short for Yahweh. Daddy. Holy 'Father'. Let your will be done. Amen. So be it. All men, let His Will be done.



[+] Verse 2

The Court in front of the Temple. These steps had 13 Contribution Steps. This ended where Women could enter the Temple. Jesus witnessed the poor widow but her coins here. The trumpets made noise to "show" alms and prevent theft. The inner area of the Temple contained three courts. The easternmost court was the Court of the Women, and it contained the Temple treasury where people donated their money Mark 12:41-44.

<><

Matthew 3 ~ see verse 10

Matthew 3

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”


Jesus. God's Son. To baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit - choosing to walk among us in life - this Savior could be very direct.

I was so impressed with "Writing from the Hip"'s List what Jesus Said To Do:

Worship the Lord and serve him only. Mt 4:10
Repent. Mt 4:17
Follow me. Mt 4:19
Shine your light before me and do good deeds. Mt 5:16
Your righteousness must surpass the Pharisees Mt 5:20
Settle matters quickly. Mt 5:25
Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow from you. Mt 5:42.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Mt 5:44
Give to the needy. Mt 6:2
Pray. Mt 6:5
Forgive people who sin against you. Mt. 6:14 & 18:35
Fast from food once in awhile. Mt 6:16
Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Mt 7:12
Enter through the narrow gate. Mt 7:13
Do God’s will. Mt 7:21
Acknowledge Jesus before men. Mt 10:32
Honor your father and mother. Mt 15:4 & 19:19
Be humble. Mt 18:4
Confront the person you have a conflict with. Mt 18:15
Love your neighbor as yourself. Mt 19:19 & 22:39
Serve everyone. Mt 20:26-28 & 23:11
Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Mt 22:37
Feed, clothes, visit and invite in the poor and needy. Mt 25:35
Make disciples and baptize them. Mt 28:19


Let's go out and do that. And step Two. And Three.




The comments were great and well worth repeating:

Ralph said...

What a great list. And you're so right - read it and follow it is the key. Then we wouldn't get caught up in the 'shall not' list. Aaron did a great job putting that list together.
Ralph



Evil Twin's Wife said...

I knew all this before, but had lost sight of it. I need to be more mindful of this and try to follow faithfully.


srp said...

I think #22 and #13 are all you need... the rest result from those two.


Cliff said...

Yes indeed he is a keeper. Thanks for sharing the list. There are many there that need to be carried on note cards.


Jennie said...

Gonna get it tatooed to my forearm. ;)


Scarlet Ily said...

What a list! You know, Jesus has been knocking at my door all week. It's one thing after another, and now this...your inspirational post. I think it's a sign! :)


jennifer said...

This was a GOOD list. It would make for a great Bible study.


Janell said...

Wonderful list - and very insightful! This is defintely Spiritual Food for productive thought. I agree that your new youth pastor is definitely a keeper.

kenju said...

A wonderful list - and one that I need to print and keep handy!


Rachel said...

Amen to that!! Your Youth Pastor is definitely a keeper!!
This is a great list!

11:39 AM
groovyoldlady said...

I remember once hearing, "If we'd just get busy doing the dos, we'd be too busy to do the don'ts!"


srp said...

Where are you? I am missing your famous "true" stories that always leave me with a smile on my face!???


jennifer said...

Let it be said that if the Dust Bunny Hostage considered giving up blogging, Paul Nichols encouraged her to keep it up. I've enjoyed your Facebook messages, reminding me that I AM a blogger :)

I hope that your Christmas was Merry and Bright and that you are blessed in the New Year.


jdjaws said...

Concentrating on the To Do list from Jesus is something I hope to do better each day.


Cliff said...

Happy New Year Paul and G.
Had he not forgotten to say it, Jesus would have said, "Verily I say unto you, if you have a blog, and blog readers keep returning to your site, it is indeed a blessing to them to feed them." "Or at least throw them a crumb once in a while." And everyone said...


Pastor.Dhas said...

VERY NICE LIST TODAY IT HELPS ME LOT . I WAS PREPARING MESSAGE FOR SUNDAY. YOUR LIST TOUCHED MY HEART HOW LONG LIST I LEFT OR FORGET TO DO.

I WILL PRAY THE LORD TO HELP ME TO DO.

THANKING YOU

<><

Mark 12 ~ Jesus asked

Mark 12

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

7 "But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this passage of Scripture:
" 'The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;

11 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?"

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"
"Caesar's," they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

And they were amazed at him.

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"

24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '
37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"
The large crowd listened to him with delight.

38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."




The Title is really rather a "Where is Waldo" question.

We all have fruit describing ourselves to each other. So many times we don't listen to each other. Did you see what Jesus asked?






Why do people quit going to Bible Studies and going to Church. We all have Ecclesiastes 3 - a time and a season. We all need to search ourselves and in community events be able to pray for our difficulties and prayer opportunities with honesty, with privacy, with verve to bounce along.

And outside of our faith communities - to listen to what people say about Jesus. Here Jesus was asking - fully already informed of the asker's heart - "Why are you trying to trap me?" He asked.

We learn about our faith walks in our belief and disbelief in the claims of Jesus and His Word. We live in a world where discernment is needed. Not judgement so much, Jesus has the authority for that. And you know, He just never wrote in Scripture that HE would need help with Judgement....

Turn to your Word of God and find where it says - judge thy neighbor. Now the Word does say share Jesus and His Love. With advice for dealing with fools and with forgiveness. And cruelty. And evil. What is confusing is - which topic to pick - reprove earnestly - turn the other cheek (Jesus had humor and sometimes He meant walk away - King Hezekiah did) rebuke the devil - forgive as you have been forgiven- let Love cover a multitude of sin - forgive seven time seventy and when asked earnestly to forgive do - don't cast pearls before swine.

How will you pick how to know what to do - Give Justice with mercy, walk humbly with God. Fight the good fight. Faith, Hope and Love, the greatest of these is Love. God is Love.

The question isn't so mystical. The answer is to listen to what the person says, lives, and does. To truly observe someone. There are key points. The point isn't to use someone - it is to minister to their needs. And to have them understand what life looks like to rely upon Him.

God tells us to cry out for wisdom, to ask, and that will be given. However, we first have to be curious enough beyond ourselves to see the direction. We are told in Romans Chapter One, we are given the truth in our souls, what we have to say about Jesus tells a lot about the condition of the soul. Not even this is entirely a maxim we can truly rest upon. We sometimes have an excellent soul in journey condition. Or importantly, the maturity of the journey and the condition our current events exist in. Which we will have to admit depends on how shaken the waters our lives float upon. It's really fairly easy to be at ease and proclaim spiritual maturity.

There are so many variables in discernment. However Jesus makes an excellent point here - what we have to say about Jesus and the opinion tells us the stability of the Rock.

Jesus was doing something in this passage we should listen to - He was listening. 

<><

Matthew 12:15-21 ~ and ordered them not to make Him known

Matthew 12:15-21

 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all ¹⁶ and ordered them not to make him known. ¹⁷  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁸  “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
    my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
²⁰ a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
²¹      and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Jesus the Son of God.


1 Timothy 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: 
He appeared in a body, 
was vindicated by the Spirit, 
was seen by angels, 
was preached among the nations, 
was believed on in the world, 
was taken up in glory.

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

Jesus Christ. God. Son of God. Prince of Peace. True Light of Light. Only Begotten Son of the Father. From WHOM all things were made. Lamb of God.

Jesus Christ Superstar is appealing, but really leaves an aspect of Jesus behind. Jesus did not just jump into the fray. The events around Jesus continued to swirl quickly. So many times all the actions, words and conversations were fast paced. But Jesus is Prince of Peace. He spent deliberate time and energy in prayer and in rest.

Jesus  often - to pray. 
Jesus heals all who followed HIM.
Jesus, not seeking fame for healing. 
Jesus proclaims Justice.
Jesus not seeking quarrels.
Jesus heals the bruised.
Jesus sparking into flame, the tiniest thought of faith.
Jesus bringing justice to Victory.
In the name above all names. JESUS THE LORD.  We shall all Hope.

Amen. 

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.


Colossians 3:15
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

<><

Exodus 11 ~ did not let the people of Israel go out of his land

Exodus 11

The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.

4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”

10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.


Mean ole God. Inflicting people. Um. He is the Creator. And did give us free will. And He plans His Story. Seems like if you had a job to do and it was impossible. Like the traffic in Atlanta to get to and from work. You'd realize Moses had to go up against the leader of the not-so-free world. Even the Ipuwer Papyrus , in a Dutch museum, describing the Exodus, carefully removes the name of the Pharoah wiped out by that ulta-weeeeeeird storm. After all those horrific events the government should have planned better for. And the way the slaves had jewelry and gold given to them just to leave fast. And nothing to eat and darkness and bloody water... that bad government should have planned better. The effrontery of bad government....the Ipuwer whines in such a familiar fashion.

How does this effect us today? Easily. All those events in life that bother us today - one Word from God and this will change. And with prayer, I look back on events in my life even from thirty years ago to see - He was at work. Interweaving the tough lessons of life to become good.

He gives and gives and gives. Giving us blessings of Exodus style events, or the blessings people of Scripture looked forward to in faith (the same we have in our lives today). But his Work is Salvation and requires so much more of Him. Centuries of knowing this would occur. Jesus' sacrifice was something no one of us would raise our hand for. Or deserve from God. The man the disciple John said - is Love. 

We have Israel again today, only from God's plan. Pharoah didn't want change. God did. 

Thank You, Father God, for your plans for those who love you. Thank You we rely upon Your blessings and mercy available to us today for the Salvation You gave us in Jesus Christ. Your Son. What a time we live in. And today - You are God the King. Bring this day to be Your Good upon this earth. Letting glimpses of Heaven be the delight of our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ. Savior. Amen

<><

James 2:1-7 ~ blaspheming the noble name of Him to Whom you belong

Jesus and the Money Changers

James 2:1-7


My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

The War on Jerusalem, by Francesco Hayez 

Psalm 50
The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

We have always said in our blog Scripture for Today, God forgave the people who crucified Jesus and Jerusalem was sacked at 70 A.D. Surely God would not undo the work of Jesus to heal and build up these people. However, 70 A.D. was a new generation. Jesus was still being blasphemed in the Sadduceen Council, you can see these Talmudic records still in Scotland today. He was dishonored. Still being dragged into their court, still being declared to have had a fair trial. His Mother Mary still being defamed. The advice of Gamaliel disregarded.

Acts 5:34-39
34 A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men[a] to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. 36 Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following.[b] That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. 38 And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.

The Temple became more corrupt.

These steps had 13 Contribution Steps. This ended where Women could enter the Temple. Jesus witnessed the poor widow but her coins here. The trumpets made noise to "show" alms and prevent theft.

The inner area of the Temple contained three courts. The easternmost court was the Court of the Women, and it contained the Temple treasury where people donated their money (Mk 12:41-44). Three gates led into this court, one on the north, one on the south, and a third on the east. This third gate on the east side is almost certainly the "Beautiful Gate" that was mention in Acts 3. A fourth gate, which was much larger and ornate led from the Court of the Women west into the Court of Israel (women could proceed no further), which was elevated 15 steps higher than the Court of Women.

The 13 Contribution Chests (Trumpets)

According to the Mishnah (Middoth 2,5) the Women's Court was was just over 200 feet square between bounding lines. Each court on the outside was 60 feet square. The colonnade ran around the court, and within it, against the wall, the thirteen chests, or 'trumpets,' for charitable contributions were placed.

These thirteen chests were narrow at the mouth and wide at the bottom, shaped like trumpets. There were actually eleven treasure chests of the Temple for the voluntary offerings of money, and then also two at the Gate of Susan, for the half-shekel tax.

Their specific objects were carefully marked on them. Nine were for the receipt of what was legally due by worshipers; the other four for strictly voluntary gifts.

Trumpets 1 and 2 were appropriated to the half-shekel Temple-tribute of the current and of the past year.

Into Trumpet 3 those women brought turtledoves for a burnt / sin offering dropped their equivalent in money, which was daily taken out and a corresponding number of turtledoves offered. This saved the labor of steps and allowed modesty of those who might not wish to have their offering publicly known. This trumpet, Mary the mother of Jesus, dropped her offering (Luke 2:22,24) when the aged Simeon took the infant Savior 'in his arms, and blessed God.' 

Josephus records a unique history of the The Court of Women! This curved staircase of fifteen steps led up to the Nicanor Gate (m. Mid. 1.4; 2.6). According to Josephus, this gate was larger than the other nine gates (being fifty cubits high with doors forty cubits wide); its doors were supposed to have been made of Corinthian bronze (War 5.201) and it took twenty men to open and close it (War 6.5.3; 293). The Levites would stand on these steps when they sang the Song of Ascents (Pss 120–134), The doors lead to the Court of Israelites, where only ritually pure Jewish men could enter (Ant. 15.11.5; 419). 

According to Josephus, during the Roman attack on the revolutionaries who had taken refuge in the Temple, the Nicanor Gate opened of its own accord after having been closed and bolted [War 6.5.3; 293-94].)

God was indeed finished with this Temple. When God, who is slow to anger, takes vengeance, He does not take it twice; it is not needed.

Nahum 1:9
What do you plot against the LORD?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.

Notice with me, our New Testament Bible is written while the Temple is operational. Paul writes of the sacrifice being offered daily in the Temple. These men who walked with Jesus in awe and wonder were giving up their lives before the Temple was done. Not written four hundred years later. Ryland and other papyrus show us the Word is exactly what they wrote and when. Enduring 400 hundred years of persecution to bring you the Bible in your hand today. The sacrifice ended at the natural lifetime of Jesus.  God never wrote us of the end of His Holy Temple. Jesus instead told us to build. Build ourselves into the Temple of God. Well worth remembering. The God of Love.

Two thousand years later, the Temple has not been rebuilt.

Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein

Psalm 2:1
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

<><

Psalm 27 ~ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.




Genesis 5:34 notes Noah was 500 years old when he begat his three sons, while Genesis 7:6 says Noah was 600 years old when the Flood came. The clear implication is God made a covenant with Noah saying Noah and his sons would be saved from judgment 20 years before Noah’s sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) were even born!

In Genesis 12, God makes a covenant with Abram telling him  - he is going to be the father of a great nation - impacting the world. Abram and his wife were both old as dirt... he was 75, kind of old to be making babies. Abram Hears God's promise, doing his quasi best to trust and wait... and wait...and he waited. By the time he was 86, he and his wife Sarah tried to take matters into their own hands. Sarah gave him a servant, and with her, Abraham conceived a child. It's not until Genesis Chapter 21 & Abraham is 100 years old, he and Sarah have Isaac.

Abraham had to wait 25 years after his amazing, wonder ~ Hearing God saying he would father a great nation of people. 25 years!

When Moses was 80 years old, God called. By then Moses had lost the bravado of his youth. For many years he had shepherded a calm flock. God was now ready to use Moses. It is not our strength, but God's Will winning the victories. He alone is able to deliver (Exodus 3:1-12).

David waited twenty-two years.

All these people waited for blessings from HIM. He waited for centuries as His earthly kingdom wound down to imposters holding HIS nation's throne. No possible welcome for the baby Jesus there. And this was a difficult blessing to give.

We see God saying He sees the iniquities of the parents pass to the children and He is judged for being a wrathful Deity. Instead of seeing - this was 3,000 years before we grandly invented psychology.

The mention of Jesus' name created feared in the Roman Emperor in sixteen years.
How many people remember who was the Emperor?

How many armchair psychologists believe white is far from scarlet? He does.

Waiting on the Lord has many verses, one of the most lovely Psalms on earth is the Psalm of Redemption.

Psalm 130
A song of ascents!

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Waiting involves knowing we need HIS Grace. Perhaps we have a leg up on Abraham and can be pleased knowing his example, learning we wait more with expectation - knowing without His Blessing, we would diminish ourselves.

Yet, saints cannot sit around twiddling our thumbs and be pleasing to God. Waiting on the Lord implies an attitude of confident assurance, patient endurance, steadfast hope, and obedience. And a good measure of knowing without His Righteousness, we are not going to be able to do His Will. Relying on ourselves only so far as not calling Him our waiter or butler for our prayers or messes. In Faith, believing Redemption is White made from Scarlet  - Possible Only in the Name of Jesus Christ Lord.

Blessed be the Savior of the World. Who knows us by name. Died for me. Died for you and wrote you many, many letters called Scripture. 

<><