1 Corinthians 7 ~ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband

1 Corinthians 7

1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you [us] to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a slave [bondservant] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 So, brothers, [brothers and sisters] in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

25 Now concerning [Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1 ] the betrothed, [virgins ] I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present [impending] distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman [virgin] marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, [virgin] if his [her] passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

When my younger son came home from the hospital, I wanted to write something wonderful about brothers in my older (by 2.5 years) son's baby book, with a photo of them both. I looked for about an hour and a half, in the Scriptures, for a quote on brothers who love each other. Finally I found Paul, in Philemon, saying that his brother had refreshed his soul. Not his biological brother.

Norman Rockwell believes it turns out all brothers love each other. The Scriptures take a more limited view. Peter and Andrew were brothers. James and John- sons of Zebedee, were all biological brothers and they followed Jesus.

What does this tell us? Families have bumps and bruises.

I've heard people look at this chapter as an archaic viewpoint on chastity. This, my friends, is the Good News about peace. It is an absolutely fabulous Chapter!

Do you feel husbands should not beat their wives? Or wives not beat their husbands? Or verbally abuse a family member?

God feels that way too!

15b God has called you [us] to peace.

Families, good families have years where the children are little; the children are visions of hope and wonder. Suddenly, they are teenagers exploring the world. What happens to them? Praying parents shouldn't give up hope on the "cave years". (Like yesterday's reading in Job 8:4-6) Look at this ... God's Promise:

14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Remember when people believed that marriage was for two people (male and female) who were bound spiritually in sexual relations? Yeah, it was believed that sex actually made them bound by their souls together... God remembers it, because He invented it and wrote it. He likes the idea so much it is actually a huge "loop hole." We would call it a loop hole, God would say Love is the fulfillment of the law. He still believes it. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - as He breathes out Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Samuel 23:2


The promise is:,
For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.

Of course there are ways to give up your salvation. But God believes so much in the unification of souls, He says one married soul can offer salvation to the other soul. That is a flat out astonishing idea given Hollywood standards of purity. And this chapter indicates God - who had the idea in the first place - thinks there should be abundant sexuality within marriage.

God is generous.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties.

So, if we honestly look at the entire Bible for loving families - we are honestly going to find people struggling to get on with life and irritating and feuding with each other. God knows this and He wants us to be at peace. He's got us covered.

Blessed be You, Father God Almighty. You give in amazing abundance. In Your love we are blessed and fulfilled. And blessed be Your son, Jesus. Amen.

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Job 8:1-7, 11-19 ~ if you seek God

Ephesus Theater

Job 8:1-7

1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

2 “How long will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
3 Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
4 If your children have sinned against him,
he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
5 If you will seek God
and plead with the Almighty for mercy,
6 if you are pure and upright,
surely then he will rouse himself for you
and restore your rightful habitation.
7 And though your beginning was small,
your latter days will be very great.

Job 8:11-19

11 “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh?
Can reeds flourish where there is no water?
12 While yet in flower and not cut down,
they wither before any other plant.
13 Such are the paths of all who forget God;
the hope of the godless shall perish.
14 His confidence is severed,
and his trust is a spider's web.
15 He leans against his house, but it does not stand;
he lays hold of it, but it does not endure.
16 He is a lush plant before the sun,
and his shoots spread over his garden.
17 His roots entwine the stone heap;
he looks upon a house of stones.
18 If he is destroyed from his place,
then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’
19 Behold, this is the joy of his way,
and out of the soil others will spring.

I hear Christian people say it is more difficult to be a Christian in these times. Sometimes it is and sometimes we are not aware to a great degree people take comfort in us - they expect kindness and receive it.

For the times when it is uncomfortable, it is because Christianity still threatens the way worldly people conduct themselves. What was true for St. Paul, is true of the world today:

Acts 19:23-41

23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

As we connect the readings for Job, let's see the lesson in Acts.

The beginning of the Way was small, yet God's justice carried it further.

The sin of mankind was great, but God as Father restores us to His righteousness.

When the world sees something as sure, God's will prevails.

When it seems the world is collapsing around us, God will still make a path.

Sometimes it is difficult, Jesus did the most difficult for us. God is good.

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Psalm 6 ~ O Jehovah, heal me

Psalm 6 ~ (American Standard Version)

1 O Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; for I am withered away: O Jehovah, heal me; for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?

4 Return, O Jehovah, deliver my soul: Save me for thy lovingkindness'sake.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In Sheol who shall give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning; Every night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth old because of all mine adversaries.

8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9 Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer.

10 All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly.

I've been alive for 4 decades and I've seen a miracle, probably, for every 5 years I've been alive. Some I've known about for many years. I am sometimes astonished as I tell them to people and their mouths drop open. The miracles don't surprise me, I always tell them matter-of-factly. Doesn't our faith say all things are possible with God?

A miracle is a gift from God. Adversity isn't the absence of God, but a miracle of Father God should be savored. I'd like to tell all four healings I know that were, and only could be, a gift of God.

When I was in High School my mom had complained for a couple of years about not feeling well. Finally she went to her OB Gyn, she adored and had known for years. He told her he could tell right away what the problem was. He asked her how old her driver's license was. She said about 3 years old. He wanted to look at it. She got it and he pointed to her neck. He said you have a throat thyroid tumor that is at least 3 years old - we are going to biopsy it in 2 days.

We were very upset. My mother called her prayer group of ladies and they suggested going to a Dallas area church - Church of the Resurrection, for the Wednesday healing service. We did, it is a peaceful and calm Eucharist and our good friend, the priest (who wouldn't be pleased if we used his name - he always said healings are of the Lord) called for the healing portion of the service to start. He, with the Holy Spirit, placed hands on her head and prayed for the Lord Jesus to heal her. And he didn't let go, it took a long time. I could tell my mom was tired. Probably about 5 or 10 minutes.

My mom said - it was like being microwaved - she told her lady friends later. She said she was bracing herself not to faint - she sure didn't want anyone to know she was having one major hot flash! The next day, they couldn't x-ray this large tumor, because it was no longer there. Completely gone. Only thing that remained was my mother's 3 year old drivers license photo showing how large it had been. Praise to you, Father God!

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Pat. My mother's friend Pat was going blind. Her eye specialist told her she must learn Braille. She drove them crazy for 5 years by refusing, telling them she was going to every healing service a well-known Christian healer had. She was flying all over the country every weekend to attend these seminars. Finally, her eyesight really diminished - Pat is a doctor and she needs her eyesight. Her eye specialist told her not only were the blood vessels failing to her eyes - she now had cataracts also. Pat requested an operation. The doctor told her it was impossible - her eyes would have no blood flow at all after the operation. They told her how foolish and irresponsible she was to not learn Braille now.

Pat went to another across-the-country seminar with the well-known Christian healer. These are very calm meetings were people sing softly, pray and line up to be healed. Very orderly. Pat was prayed for again - again in the name of Jesus. Nothing.

And yet... Pat felt better. So she went back to see her angry eye specialists. They were astonished - there were no cataracts. And the blood vessels to her eyes were much healthier - at least twice as large and a good color. Pat wears regular eye glasses today, she has never had any type of eye surgery, 15 years later. They asked her what was the credit.... of course it is Jesus Christ.



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Josephine was taking way too much interferon for her MS - it was a calculated risk. Her doctor, unknown to Josephine, was watching her white blood count for over a year. She went in for her regular check up and the Doctor explained Josephine would be going to a blood specialist that day. Josephine said she knew nothing of the appointment. The Doctor said the new Doctor would see her within the hour. The new blood specialist drew more blood. Josephine immediately liked the new Doctor, he was good with her when he explained her current white blood count was 79 - so low death was a possibility. Leukemia induced from the interferon was another possibility. He gave Josephine advice and asked her to return in 4 days for more blood work.

Josephine was a heart broken lady, she cares for so many people with chronic illnesses and wanted to have a miracle. A loving wife, a loving Christian, a loving mom to two young sons. Josephine cried and we prayed. Later in the week, Josephine went to her church healing service, to have prayers offered to Jesus Christ. Her church healing services are at Woodsedge on Wednesday night. Sometimes they are quiet, reflective services. Sometimes it is loud music, but no one is screaming "healed", these are prayers called forth, in earnest for Jesus Christ. This time nothing appeared to have happened.

Back to the specialist on Thursday. Blood was drawn. There seemed to be a mistake. More blood was drawn. The new Doctor came in with a broad smile and asked Josephine if she had people pray for her. Yes. He could tell. Blood white cell counts do not jump around. ever. never. unless Jesus Christ helps. a. lot. Josephine's white blood count had risen like Jairus' daughter. Up an additional 200 points - well within the normal range. The whole Doctor's office was called to rejoice with Josephine.

Josephine arrived home to the phone ringing - the large, famous hospital where the Doctor who had watched Josephine's blood count for a year was on the phone. She must return immediately. She did. Everyone was frowning and waiting for her. They immediately did another blood test - their hospital had tested Josephine's blood for over a year - about 6 times- it was consecutively falling - obviously the blood specialist was completely and totally, negligently wrong. They waited. No, it was a miracle, a mighty act of God. Josephine's blood was miraculously in the normal range!

As the Psalmist says, we say:

Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer.

Thank You, Father God. For Your might works from the ages past, in Your Scriptures. Thank You, for the mighty love and care You provided these people within Your Grace. Praise You, Jesus Christ. Bless You, Almighty and Everlasting Father. To You be all the glory, now and forever. We look to You in anticipation for Your steadfast love. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

John 21:25
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Thank You, for Your loving miracles. That continue today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Psalm 149 ~ making melody to Him

Shout to the Lord (in Hawaiian)

Psalm 149

1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.

5 Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!

When we read verses 6 to 9, we'll be tempted to dismiss this as ancient barbarism. It would be a mistake, it really is about human nature. We all grow and fall back in our Christian journey as selfishness and events press us.

The Woman Who Changed A Kingdom
by Betty Fullard-Leo (paraphrased & condensed)

Queen Kaahumanu, the favorite wife of King Kamehameha I, transformed the foundations of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Not without human frailty (vengeance), self-interest (two-edged sword), and a Christian journey that grew and fell back.

Kaahumanu was born in 1768, from a family of Hawaiian kings, on the island of Maui; moving with her family to the Big Island, her father, a chief, could join the army of the young King Kamehameha. She witnessed a lot of terrible violence.

When she was about ten years old, she married the 30 year old King Kamehameha. The king married about 17 times, but Queen Kaahumanu was his favorite. Queen Kaahumanu understood politics, violence, and helped defeat the other chiefs allowing Kamehameha to reach his goal to conquer, to unite. During those years she was frustrated and held back by the strong taboos of the Hawaiian gods. Women could not eat with men, eat certain foods basic to the Hawaiian diet, but were allowed adultery for all, but the queen. Hawaiian women freely offered themselves to the sailors, hoping for pregnancies. STDs were abundant.

The foreigners broke the taboos. They ate with women. Kamehameha went along with foreigners; Queen Kaahumanu noticed, for the first time, the taboos broken had not caused the gods to strike with lightning and death.

As time swept on, Queen Kaahumanu was no longer the favored wife. Younger women, including her younger sister, became favorites with the King. Kaahumanu could not become pregnant. Kaahumanu took a lover, Kamehameha killed him. To have a reconciliation, he gave Kaahumanu the godlike power of "puuhonua". She alone had the power to spare from death, to protect women and children, to save criminals from prosecution. Kamakau wrote about the royal couple, "He dealt out death, she saved from death."

Women, wives, pregnancies & children borne to other wives further pulled the marriage apart, Kamehameha honored puuhonua, he gave his wife a shared throne and public respect. Kaahumanu was appointed as guardian to the heirs of the throne.

Kaahumanu ate with the sailors, ignoring the taboo. She smoked a pipe. On May 8, 1819, when King Kamehameha died, her new tattoo was the date of his death on her arm.

Chaos did away with all the taboos. Queen Kaahumanu demanded & received a co-reign with Kamehameha’s heir. Together they changed Hawaii, the sacred sites, the priesthood and the temples - all were destroyed. There were no beliefs and no morally.

In 1820 the missionaries arrived, Hawaiians were eager for good and evil, right and wrong. Kaahumanu loved Christian commandments and strong code of ethics, righting the wrongs she has suffered under. The missionaries were wary of her motivations, but enjoyed her zeal, if not her methods. She was reported to take lovers and force marriage upon the heirs to the throne, all the while fighting against adultery and prostitution.

When she requested to be baptized, the missionaries declined. She was "Not yet born from above, with the power of the spirit of God."

In 1824, she fell ill, thinking that it would be fatal, she told the missionaries: "I will do all the good I can before I die." When Kaahumanu was baptized, she took the name 'Elizabeth'. She no longer railed and ranted to her people, she only asked her people to obey God. She recovered and continued to spread the Word of God.

By December 1827, three of the commandments, those against murder, theft and adultery, became enforced by law. Kaahumanu continued to spread God’s ways showing genuine and compelling love.

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Father God, let us dwell on the good blessings You give us. Put a song in our hearts as we praise You. Help us to encourage others in their faith walk. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Psalm 102 ~ You will remain

Psalm 102

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you!
2 Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3 For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my flesh.
6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,
like an owl of the waste places;
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
8 All the day my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold her stones dear
and have pity on her dust.
15 Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16 For the Lord builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory;
17 he regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;
he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away
in the midst of my days—
you whose years endure
throughout all generations!”

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.

It isn't that God needs us, it is that we need God.

It isn't that we love God, it is that He loved us first. It is the nature of God.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.


Isaiah 55:11
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.


1 Corinthians 2:9
9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—


Eternal God, You are the sword of righteousness, You are the strength of love. Send your Spirit; gather us under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as Your children. To You be the dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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Jeremiah 42 ~ act according to all the Word which the Lord your God sends

Jeremiah 42

1 Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— 3 that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” 4 Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request, and whatever the Lord answers you I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you.” 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us. 6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

7 At the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he summoned Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest, 9 and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your plea for mercy before him: 10 If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. 12 I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. 13 But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God 14 and saying, ‘No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war or hear the sound of the trumpet or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there,’ 15 then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there, 16 then the sword that you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which you are afraid shall follow close after you to Egypt, and there you shall die. 17 All the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to live there shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. They shall have no remnant or survivor from the disaster that I will bring upon them.

18 “For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: As my anger and my wrath were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so my wrath will be poured out on you when you go to Egypt. You shall become an execration, a horror, a curse, and a taunt. You shall see this place no more. 19 The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day 20 that you have gone astray at the cost of your lives. For you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the Lord our God, and whatever the Lord our God says declare to us and we will do it.’ 21 And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that he sent me to tell you. 22 Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to live.”

Jeremiah 7:16
So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.


Jeremiah 11:14
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

Jeremiah 14:11
Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.


Jeremiah did as King David did; asked for God's mercy after God told him it would not be possible. God does not change His mind about His promises to Jeremiah. God specifically promised Jeremiah, in the beginning, Jeremiah would not be defeated and overwhelmed. The Scriptures don't record the end of Jeremiah - but I am trusting he ended well.

It isn't difficult to imagine - in those 10 days - the people were unwilling to wait upon the Lord. Too many discussions of actions needed & a plan formed. God offered them mercy. Again. But they wouldn't take it. Fear was more important to them, than their promise to obey.

There are different types of fear. Jesus was kind to His disciples over uncertainty. God makes allowances for the people who have been afraid at His mighty acts. There is fear that has a reverence & seeking component - if not understanding. This passage has fear and disobedience, not looking for Godly direction.

God doesn't want us to stand in a marriage ceremony, make a vow, and then not honor it. All vows to God are important. We could talk all day about the importance of marriage vows. Yet, think of all the people who have committed to be a Godparent, in a vow, and have not honored it. Rarely in life are we asked to make a vow to God. For all the Godparents out there, time to start praying daily. You can pray for a non-praying Godparent or ex-spouse. Praying never hurts. A world in need could find this out.


Numbers 30:2
If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Ephesians 4:24-25
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

1 Timothy 1:18-a9
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.

Father God, help us to strengthen feeble arms and weak knees. Let us be healed from discouragement & forgetfulness. Let our prayers to You, our hope in the LORD, renew our strength. Help our prayers soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Father God, be our helper in prayer, like Jeremiah, we know our prayer is a two way conversation. In You is our faith, our hope and our love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Ezekiel 36:23-28 ~ you shall be clean

The Vision of Ezekiel, by Francisco Collantes (1599 – 1656)

Ezekiel 36:23-28

23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.[my just decrees] 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

This is the Good News. Accompanied with the signs of God Himself.

In the middle of the Babylonians' 2nd push, sweeping the people of Judah into slavery, Ezekiel is taken captive, with the entire court of King Jehoichin. Ezekiel's name means "whom God makes strong" was a priest God raised to the status of prophet. It seems odd that a prophet would predict the destruction of Jerusalem, to us it seems like "an of course it happened", yet it is a prophecy - Ezekiel was in captivity with the Davidic line's true king in Babylon, while in Judah - Nebuchadnezzar's puppet king was on the throne - all seemed to be going according to Nebuchadnezzar's peaceful plan to rule.

Instead Ezekiel tells them of the coming destruction of the country, city & Temple, in Chapter 33. Perhaps an astute political person could have seen the coming devastation. And almost immediately, the last of the Judea is brought in as a defeated nation into slavery. Their homeland in ruins.

It would seem odd that hope would come in the middle of God's judgement, but God does not abandon His people. Ezekiel tells God's people in the midst of despair, their story does not end in tragedy! God will raise them up in freedom, as a nation, physically and of a coming New Covenant! God's people don't deserve the mercy of God, but His steadfast love is, once again, bringing slaves into freedom, back to their own country - blessed by God. There is not another nation in the world, so swept apart, in such chains, and put together again and again. At least 4 times, spanning millenniums.

Nebuchadnezzar had plans to just use the Kingdom of Judah as a puppet/revenue state. He didn't plan to tear it all down - but he did. (These are not the actual photos... )

Ezekiel had no reason for this hope, only the Word of God. Jesus also told us about setting our hopes on the Word of God.

John 5:45-47
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

The rising of the Second Temple is also a sign of Jesus:

Luke 16:22-31
22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

The nation of Israel, does not just rise from the defeated - it rises from the dead. From slavery, from far flung exile - when travel was dangerous - from complete despair. It rises just as God promises, His Word is truth.

Help us Father God, to always put our faith in Your promises. Thank you, God, for Your Mercy! Helping the undeserving, rescue forever - it is what You give us! It is in Your mercy, we have been washed clean. To Your glory, Father God! In the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

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Matthew 22:1-14 ~ the King was angry

Art from "Jesus of Nazareth" in the book, The Greatest Adventure Stories of the Bible

Matthew 22:1-14

1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants [bondservants] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Anger, Judgment and Consequences are not buzz words guaranteed to attract people. But if you are in a crowd of people in a line, or at a party, and someone emphatically begins to tell a story loudly of something making them angry; People are going to be riveted. Why Aren't We like that about the LORD?

Why wouldn't the Creator of the Universe be allowed to feel anger? And really... why would we, or even should we, say to the Father...... no, not that emotion.

I got good use out of my tonsils today. And yes, the reading was already picked out before I knew the subject was anger. We took my youngest (living) child to Baylor University, today, to start as a Freshmen. We had a confusing situation, with only partial information being available. I felt my child's safety was in question over unclear information given at the last minute. I made my husband angry, my son probably fearful and his girlfriend unhappy. All these emotions were being pushed into a drinking straw and anger ensued.

So, we know when God is angry, He has the situation correctly figured out. No matter how it appears to us. I don't know how your universe project is doing, but my universe couldn't be created because, lately, I am having trouble creating DNA, water/ice/steam from the same molecule, and my gravity creator seems to be on the fritz.

Jesus, telling us to be salt - not meek and mild food, was known to display anger. When Jesus and God are angry it is called Righteous Anger.

So, because God has these emotions what does He tell us about Our Anger (which is rarely Righteous):

Ephesians 4:26,27
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

God must feel people often are angry because they feel something is taken from them (their ipod, their phone, their peace, their friends, their girlfriend, their position):

Ephesisans 4:28-32
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

God feels we will come face to face with the thief. Who is to say if it is in this life or the next? He is concerned what we will say. And it shouldn't be a pat, little rehearsed bit. Something real. Something kind. Something forgiving.

Jesus spoke about us teaching the Kingdom of God in these situations:

Matthew 23:13
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in."

Pretty serious.

Matthew 23:8-12
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

So... here I am writing about forgiveness in the midst of anger... looks like I could be out mending a fence or two. We will need all the help we can get in forgiveness from the Lord.

Father God, we will need all of Your help to do as we should. We live for Your mercy. You've given us Matthew 10:19. God will give you the right words at the right time. Help us to please you, when the time comes. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Psalm 146 ~ Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm Project - Psalm 146 - sung by Applegate Fellowship

Psalm 146 ~ (Revised Standard Version)

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have being.
Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
When his breath departs he returns to his earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners,
he upholds the widow and the fatherless;
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The LORD will reign for ever,
thy God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

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Romans 16 ~ greet brothers and sisters who are with them

Romans 16

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant [deaconess ] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert [first fruit] to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, [Junias] my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, [messengers] and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers [brothers and sisters] who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, [their own belly] and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

It's that time of year again. Many hellos and new opportunities. We just had the goodbyes at our house - we usually have 2 or 3 extra (big) kids around our house. Our youngest is going off to a Christian University. 4 adult kids standing in our front hallway, looking a little stunned, the anticipated moment was here, "Good-bye until the Christmas break - 4 more months."

Lots of opportunities for these young people, more than they can imagine. Lots of God Bless You's for all the road ahead.

I have been good. I have not whined to my husband or my sons about the empty nest. But I will rely upon the Lord to fill my need to nurture and be useful to young people. And there is going to be a twang when I tell Him. Father God, here are my hands, fill them, please.

So, voi·là! Here is the article God put in front of me today:

Keys to a Useful Life
By Ward Williams


· Illustration: Thomas Huxley said, “A feeling of uselessness is the severest shock that a human system can endure.”

· The secret to a happy life is not in keeping busy, but in being useful.

· The Good Samaritan is a good representation of what it means to be a useful, caring person.

· Big Idea: The ultimate standard of a useful life is not what you think and expect of yourself as much as what you are willing to do for those around you.

Transition: Applying this story to our lives requires concentration on three keys to a useful life.

Avoid the danger of generalities.

· Christianity is not a philosophy; its approach to life is concrete.

· The gospel calls us to test our belief by acting upon it.

- Illustration: A cemetery headstone in England reads, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes in this village for 40 years to the glory of God.”

· Neighborliness is not a generality; it is serving the needs of individuals.

Be aware of what is important.

· Jesus implied that all the religious rituals in the world were not as important as the fellow who lay bleeding beside the road.

· Jesus’ choices were always made in terms of people and their needs.

· The Samaritan did not act out of an expectation for reward or thanks.

· The Good Samaritan was motivated by a good conscience, a sense of satisfaction, and a desire to be able to say he had led a useful life.

Help others help themselves.

· The Samaritan’s intentions were to get the wounded man on his feet, not to make him dependent upon charity.

· Illustration: Williams works with a nonprofit organization that finances cottage industries in Venezuela to teach skills leading to financial independence.

Conclusion

· Jesus lived the model of usefulness.

- Philippians 2:7;
but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

- Acts 10:38
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.

· A useful life is not defined by knowing who our neighbors are, but in demonstrating neighborliness.

· he said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

(Luke 10:37).

Light our way, Father God, help us to walk with anticipation of Your Holy Spirit for You to guide, provide, and lead us. We'll pray for all the kids - the Lord would be with them each day in their schools & universities. For prayer to be welcome again & still is, in our souls. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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John 5:30-47 ~ the testimony

John 5:30-47

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

A shining lamp, glory, hope - powerful images of goodness.

Look at all the times Jesus could have put Himself forth. He could have told every single soul Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish council & ruling class was coming to Him for Religious discernment. Jesus could have told Peter to keep repeating when Peter announced Jesus is the Christ. Instead, most of the time, Jesus gave the opposite advice after someone was healed.

Jesus and John the Baptist have something in common. John said:

John 3:27-30
27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.

Jesus and John live for God. They are content with God's plan, God Himself will lift them up. The Book of Proverbs, John the Baptist, the Scriptures say all good things are from God. If we do not believe the words, what shall we hope in?

Father God, let the light of the Holy Spirit shine brightly, each day, in us, for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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