Witness to Jesus Christ in each part of Scripture

My friend, SueJen, who is Buddhist, is currently visiting her family in Taiwan. She emailed this to me saying this it is shocking to her, but so touching. Enjoy!

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Acts 1:6-8 ~ you will be My witnesses

Salvation offered to us in Jesus Christ. The cross is a representation of mankind intersecting God's salvation in the holiness of God; transforming lives in faith, hope and love

Acts 1:6-8


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”


Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”


Mark 16:14-16
14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

The Good News does not always reach the headlines. You might remember April 2009 (Easter) Newsweek Headlines': "The End of Christian America". The quote in the magazine was, "There it was, an old term with new urgency: post-Christian. This is not to say that the Christian God is dead, but that He is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory." Some of the data was skewed. And the fall in numbers was attributed, although not announced in the article, to the decline of Catholicism in the North East USA. It never was reported the people who fell away from Catholicism over priest sexual abuses, returned and forgave the Church. Pope Benedict comforted the victims by saying it was as painful as Jesus Christ dying, wrongly labeled a sinner, on the cross. The people of Jesus Christ know about forgiveness.

The larger error is believing the Christian Church is struck down by numbers. The Light of Jesus Christ continues to shine.

We live in interesting times. The faithful believe more strongly. The unbelieving are more vocal and upset with topics like the exclusivity of Christian religion being the Only way into the Kingdom of Heaven. Religion is not ever the way into God's Salvation. It is Jesus Christ opening His arms willingly on the cross for all of mankind. Everyone. Jesus is the door, the gate, the way, the truth, the life to eternal salvation. Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, isn't religion, He is relationship.

People love to debate and get angry over Salvation. It is God's work. Salvation is a gift of God. Man can discuss it; God's salvation won't change.

Every 500 years there is a real shift in Christianity. 500 A.D. - 100 years after the 400 year persecution of Christians - Jesus Christ was readily accepted, loved in Europe. Mankind found new grace to allow room for slaves, women and all of mankind at the Communion Table. The Gospel's love and up-building was pouring into Africa. New Empires grew and spread the Gospel into Syria, Russia, and Scandinavia.

1000 A.D - the last holdouts for Hellenic Christianity disappeared. England becomes united under Christianity. Ireland establishes the Church and monasteries as the Emperor of Ireland is established. Russia, Vladimir the Great converts and the Russian Orthodox Church is founded. At the same time, the Latin speaking world was electrified with a renewed interest - studying the scriptures in their Greek version. Paving the way for 1500 A.D - mankind pursued the printing of the Bible and Martin Luther opened the path of Jesus Christ to breakaway from man's abuses of Jesus' Church.

We live in interesting times. For 2,000 years the Light of Christ has shone from His Church - and the gates of hell have not prevailed against it.

In our country, we see growth in Churches believing in Jesus Christ and proclaiming the Scriptures as God's Word. In Europe, countries that have seen Church attendance fall are seeing an up-building of 3% in just a few years. No one saw the European Churches coming back. Except the Lord.

The Pew Forum found:
By 2050, Christian Africans will grow another 25%. African Christians believe tremendously in the works of Jesus Christ for today. They believe in Jesus and witness life transforming miracles.

In the 1960's, the Christian Korean Church saw the Holy Spirit awaken the Korean people. Today the Christians in Korea are about 45% of the total population. Once again we see up-building of the Christian soul leads to optimism in the culture. Tremendous growth.

Fox News reports according to China Aid, a Texas-based human rights group, the number of Christians in China has increased 100-fold since 1949. Current estimates range from 80 million to 130 million active members. And one startling estimate from a Chinese Christian businessman has that number doubling or even tripling in the next generation. Christianity could become one of the macro forces shaping Chinese culture, say experts like Dr. David Aikman, author of "Jesus in Beijing."‬‪

The Good News does not always reach the headlines.

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Who is called to witness to Jesus Christ. As salt. As flavoring, using the opportunities God gives us. We are called. Live your faith.

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Psalm 59 ~ for You, O God, are my fortress

Psalm 59

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
2 deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

6 Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths
with swords in their lips—
for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them;
you hold all the nations in derision.
9 O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God in his steadfast love
[The God who shows me steadfast love]
will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;
make them totter [wander] by your power and bring them down,
O Lord, our shield!
12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13 consume them in wrath;
consume them till they are no more,
that they may know that God rules over Jacob
to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
15 They wander about for food
and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.

I love the idea of God as our refuge, and thought of a beautiful fortress. This fortress was founded in the early days of the Christians still loving the Lord even when their lives were in danger. Not all the Christians stayed to become burning lights for the night games at the coliseum. Some carried their love of the Lord to new territories. This refuge exists 1700 years later.

Guaita fortress San Marino Italy, Most Serene Republic of San Marino - is a country in the Apennine Mountains. It is a landlocked enclave, completely surrounded by Italy. One of the European microstates, San Marino has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.

According to tradition, San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still existing: it was founded on September 3 in the year 301 by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian. San Marino has the oldest written constitution still in effect dating back to 1600.


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Psalm 92 ~ declare your steadfast love in the morning

Psalm 92

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

5 How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.

10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

In the Church, this is still Easter season. Without Jesus Christ, we would not have a New Covenant. I love John Paul II's quote:

We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!

So, we are with the Church still celebrating Jesus Christ rising and overcoming this world. The Son of God, giving us a new Heaven and new earth. This is the fifth time in 5 years of Scripture for Today Blogspot has looked at Psalm 92. Every day regardless of the season, we declare God's overwhelming Love for you.

The Word of God is living and active, there really isn't one true meaning for any chapter of Scripture. When we read God's Word, we have an opportunity to see God's meaning for His Word for us - each day. Just as we continue to see Scripture as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit celebrating Jesus Christ as Lord, in each chapter, in each phrase.

How will you discover, today, Psalm 92 written by the Love God has for you?

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.

Father God, You put a song in my heart and I remember the song "Shout to the Lord" (I sing for Joy at the Work of Your Hands!). This is a beautiful, soothing instrumental.



For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Bring to Your Father, the joy His blessings have given you. Gratitude.

How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;

We've had a very rough decade as a nation. The world has seen a troubled year. For too long we have honored self-serving attitudes as winning attitudes - individually - we have all been touched by the great pollutant of sin. It has caused us worry and unhappiness. Then we feed these attitudes to ourselves, our children, our conversations.

but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.

Look up. We have God to look up to in hope.

Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

God is for you in this life.

But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

answered as well in Psalm 3:
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill.

God is always open to hear us talk with Him.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Father God, we claim Your promises to us in Your Word. When we read Your words of hope, of love, of promise for today and eternity; You are filling our souls in the strength and encouragement in You. In the highest name You have given us, Jesus Christ! Amen.

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Psalm 135 ~ Your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages

Psalm 135

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

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

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

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

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

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

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

~ For I know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.



How Great Is Our God, sung by Chris Tomlin


Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Exodus 34:6,7
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."

Psalm 104:31
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works -

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 8

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

Romans 8:20,21
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Luke 2:12-14

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

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John 3:31-36 ~ that God is true

Black Baptism, painted by Charles Carol Coleman


John 3:31-36


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.


This is our Scripture passage for today. It sort of stumped me at first. So going back to look at the John's 3rd Gospel Chapter I read:

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

And upon reading it in context - I realized we are very fortunate today to have the opportunity to read John the Baptist's thoughts on humanity, the Holy Spirit and the affects and effects of holiness on us. All this insight given to us at the end of years - John the Baptist's contemplations.

I feel I understand John the Baptist so much more when we look at him with the details God gives us about John.

John leaped with joy as a baby in his mother's womb at Jesus' mother's greeting. Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God as His messenger tells us about John the Baptist:

Luke 1:14-17
"you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”


So what pattern are we seeing develop here:

John understands the Way, the Truth and the Life are not the vast highways humans travel in their day-to-day existence. John has spent some considerable time in what Jesus called "lonely places" to pray. God has given John the Baptist the ability to understand, communicate and draw people into their own wilderness seeking. John draws people away from the grandeur of the Temple, into getting dusty, waiting in line (upon the Lord), and anticipation of redemption. Redemption drawing a crowd? This must be Elijah!!!

What does John's insight tell us - deliberate choice. John says it is the choices we make that help us discover if God is true. In John the Baptist's famous quotes saying twice he didn't know Jesus, John the Baptist is telling us a). he wasn't born with insight he knew of and was aware of. b). this is not a nepotism job where John the Baptist accepted Jesus as Savior without years of personal growth.

Our Redemption Baptizer is also telling us - God puts people in our lives preparing us and others to know God. God says through John the Baptist - God's efforts will largely go unheard and unheeded. We are not waiting upon the pat on the back for our lives and service for the LORD.



God does not give up on mankind. Why should we? 1. Deliberate choice to find out if God is real. Not the opinions of culture or others. 2. Time spent in quietness to think and pray. 3. Reading the Scripture for yourself. And thinking. 4. An attitude of gratitude to notice..... 5. Seeing the things of God unfold as true. God speaking to you of your life and your choices. Leaning on Him in love. Learning every part of Scripture has meaning for you, each day.

John 1:46-51
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”



John 1:10-16 10

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Come to His Banquet. You are invited.

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Psalm 68 ~ God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock [your congregation] found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.

15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”

24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Here in the Piney woods of Texas, near Houston, we had a slight drought last summer. This year, I'm not sure I remember but one good rain. We've had a wildfire within about 15 miles of our house and one in Huntsville, Texas. Last year the Major of Conroe put an article in The Conroe Courier saying if you believe in the Almighty, please pray for rain. We got rain that week! So, I am asking you to pray for rain in our area of Texas. Like a friend said, at least we aren't having tornadoes. Okay, I'm very willing to be grateful for lack of tornadoes, but still the prayer for rain would be appreciated.

It's weather with a twist - I've never experienced drought with pleasant winds and very nice, cool temperatures in May. I love to garden and I was outside today caring for some of my potted plants - like Imperial Delight, Bougainvillea - and I started thinking about all the usual events in weather. I wondered if I should let Father God know I am concerned about the month of pleasant breezes we've had drying out the natural vegetation. At Church, we discussed that a hurricane would surely snap the dried out trees. We've also discussed irrigation needed for the forested part of our campus, located right off the busy 6 lane Woodlands Parkway.

I decided in prayer - I am going to thank Father God for the beautiful blue skies, the cool breezes we don't usually have, the pleasant temperatures. The great weather. Rejoice in what is before you. Rejoice! And I will let Father God know I am asking for several good soaking rains, for His great mercy in hearing our prayers. Only from time to time do I remind Him - we'd love to be protected from Hurricanes.

Now that I've shared some of my prayer requests with you and with our Father, I'm going to go see what I can do in my yard. Then I'm going to thrill my dog with a walk on this beautiful day. I am going to look for that rain! If the Lord should decide to withhold rain, I am going to wait for His plan. I know I can rest easily because I've asked and I will rest in His will.

~ Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

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

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.







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Daniel 1 ~ who assigned your food and drink

Our Lord Jesus Christ, painted by James Tissot

Daniel 1

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family [of the seed of the kingdom] and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

When we read Scripture, we let our mind, our soul wander. Within the context of the passage, if we don't we are left with memorization - a tool, certainly, but not everything.

This year Rick Warren started a Daniel Diet and that started a controversy about Rick Warren being all things to all people - not even a Christian. How I dislike that. We all seek to know God and to please Him. How can we please Him, if we are so busy sorting out the errors of others? Jesus said here is the stone, cast the first stone, if...... And if someone feels compelled to criticize a brother in Christ, the Scripture give a framework.

Luke 12:57-58
“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

I've read a lot of people putting Rick Warren down for using a non-Christian nutritionist doctor. And I'm not sure I would start a Nazorite life style change called the Daniel Diet with the opposite of Daniel's idea of wisdom. Daniel looked for wisdom beyond the culture. But before I jumped up and down, and declared Rick Warren to be of no value Spiritually - I sure would think about Luke 12. Do you think God would be pleased to have a man of God debunked as of no value publicly?

Or do you think that if you felt strongly enough to cast a first stone publicly - it would work better between two people of God to write Rick Warren a private letter. Even the Queen of England says she likes to learn about what people are thinking. (Can you tell it is Royal Wedding week?)

It's a lot like the Apple and "the other guy" commercials. The Apple guy is relaxed and confident. The other guy looks up-tight and a little angry. The non-Christian world perceives us not as the Apple guy, but the other guy. Priggish, petty quarrels are exactly what did Not bring Daniel before the King and before the Chaldean culture bringing about a Victory for God Almighty. Culture, smulture an angry protester might say.

Mark 16:15
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."

2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Ambassadors for Christ is what a follower of Christ is supposed to be. Not the grocery store rag paper finding a reason to harp.

Versus:

Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

It is good to stay away from verbal violence of debunking people trying to say - God is Love.

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Daniel dealt with a foreign culture with kind words, prayer and self-control. How can the Kingdom of God do less with its own?


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Psalm 2 ~ ask of Me

Psalm 2

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Osama bin Laden is dead. Men have died and worms have eaten them - not for love. Law and power. Nations manipulated for self-interest.

Why would a man whose parents divorced when he was a baby, raised by a step-father in a tribal society (inheriting wealth from his natural father) be so interested in the Wahhabism branch of Islam? Ibn Abd-Al-Wahhab denounces the practice of blind adherence to the interpretations of scholars, and tribal practices of Islam. Wahhab argues individual Muslims are responsible to learn and obey the divine commands as they were revealed in the Koran. Self-interpretation...

What would Osama bin Laden have prayed for? Jihad. Why?

What did these sets of laws represent to Osama bin Laden? An organized way of life, creating power of organization, power of religious law and a strict place for women within those laws. Power of mens' sexuality, with rights favoring men. Osama bin Laden seems to care very little his mother was divorced right after his birth, so his father's 22 wives would now fit neatly back in the 4 wives always recommended by the Koran. Nor did he mind, at age 18, marrying his 14 year old first cousin. It was in 1500 A.D. people realized women should not marry before the age of 15, due to the high rate of death in pregnancy.

The men involved with Al-Qaeda believe Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban is "the only Islamic country" in the Muslim world. Their ideology believes civilians, including women and children, are legitimate targets of jihad - the destruction of Israel and all that is Semitic.

Growing Up bin Laden was written by Osama bin Laden's first wife Najwa Ghanem, with her son Omar bin Laden and Jean Sasson. After years of living with an increasingly violent and taciturn Osama, Omar bin Laden knew he had to leave the day their father invited all of his sons to become suicide bombers at a speech given by Osama in a mosque by referring them to look at a brochure Osama had made for martyrdom for Islam. Omar asked his father how he could ask this of his sons and Osama replied his sons meant nothing more to him than anyone else living in Afghanistan. The original pleasant life they had led had become just a memory, living in barbaric conditions without basic necessities or medicines. An increasingly angry Osama bin Laden tried chemical experiments of death on his own son's dog's puppies.

Intelligence reports say Osama bin Laden trained other men to become martyrs for Allah, putting his energies into becoming a cold-blooded killer from comfortable housing; after gathering men to him, he did not live as the warriors he trained. From 2001, bin Laden has not been seen in fighting or living in guerrilla warfare housing, when bin Laden was thought to be wounded. Since 2004, none of the hierarchy of the Al Qaeda have been found living in the environment of the extreme militant martyrs they train. We have captured and killed Al Qaeda leaders, but never an Al Qaeda leader volunteering for martyrdom. This is what Jesus referred to as a religious lawyer.

Luke 11:46
And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

According to the book, "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11", written by Lawrence Wright. The Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood have no plan. They simply want to destroy things and "take over." An economic plan? None. The only goal of the Muslim Brotherhood, for example, is the hijab head-covering for women. Other than belief Sharia law will set things right in the Muslim world, the Al-Qaeda has no plan or goal for society. "It is like an empty vessel." Bin Ladin has no plan other than wanting the U.S. out of Saudi Arabia, and blind destruction of things western.

Bin Laden created a myth of enlarging his own role in the Afghan war against the Soviets. He was disappointed when their Kenyan and Tanzanian attacks on the US Embassies and the attack on the USS Cole did not bring greater war during the Clinton Administration. According to Wright, Bin Laden was driven to madness by US presence in the sacred lands of Islam. Saudi Arabia did not want all of the Afghanistan Islamic militia after the war in Kuwait. Saudi Arabia chose American troops. As long as he was able, he was going to attempt greater and greater attacks on the USA.

Father God, protect us from power without mercy. Protect us from rhetoric preaching retaliation and revenge leaning into mob mentality and fear of reprisal. Clear out the spirit of revenge and violence. We ask for Your Light in Jesus Christ to give justice with mercy, walking humbly with the Lord. We ask for right thinking about blood-violence, revenge, anger, and the rights of a woman in marriage. We ask for purity in marriage forsaking all others to love and to cherish, to death us do part. We ask that Nikah Mut'ah, a fixed-time arrangement between a man and a woman that dissolves once the duration expires, for prostitution - another aspect of Sharia law making make clear the injustice and impurity of Sharia law towards women and their rights in marriage of their spouse.

Matthew 26:52
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways

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Luke 21:1-19 ~ do not be terrified

The Disciples Admire the Temple, painted by James Tissot

Luke 21:1-19

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins [two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius]. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers [parents and brothers and sisters] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

My eldest son and I were having a phone conversation and he asked me if I remembered a time when the news was so terrible. It's not like I am Methuselah, so it gave me a moment's pause. In that pause Cal said, "I'm excluding World War II, because I know you were not alive." Okay then.

The answer is no. Do you? But I remember stories of my mother growing up in the Great Depression in Dallas, Texas. About 20 people a day would knock on the back door of their 3 bedroom, one bath, one living area - frame house and ask for work, but would be given lunch. My mother told me my grandmother had a collection of aluminum pie plates and mason jars and she fed about 20 people each day, for lunch, in her back yard. Grandmother fixed a several chicken vegetable soup every day. I asked if they ever ran out of food, Mother said no, but eventually things got better and the crowd of lunch people disappeared. My Grandmother Anita spent her life being the poor widow with the two copper coins. Her husband Ray died in his early 40's. She taught a Methodist Adult Sunday School class for 42 years. At her funeral, we said God had kept the paint on her frame house for her entire life. I believe He did.

I asked my mother if people would knock on the door for breakfast. I asked if people did extra work around the house without being asked for being fed. My mom said she didn't ever remember work being done around the house, but given the generation, there probably was. My mom said, if they had asked at breakfast, my grandmother would have said they'd have lunch available.

So trouble has returned to the world. I was asked recently by a Korean War veteran's widow if my generation had experienced war. No. Not really, just the Fauklin Islands. We did have a recession in the 1980s.

So what are we going to do with economic news, local political news, foreign political news, national deficits, wars, riots, devalued currency, animal and bird die offs, earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, drought, wild fires, flood and tornadoes. World hunger, food shortages - prices and the inflation for gasoline prices. We are going to do what Jesus did. He said not to be terrified. We are going to trust. We are going to seriously rejoice that the survivors of these disasters are having help from Christian sources. We are going to act as the Body of Christ in relief efforts and prayers.

We are not going to be nay sayers about how terrible this bad old world is and then just worry and / or sweep it under the rug for someone else. You've been told about trouble! Rely upon His Word and Live it.

1. Psalm 100. Start like the Lord's Prayer.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Remember to have Gratitude. (Note to self.) Let Him know you remember and you are grateful for His blessings.

2. Say to Him you are grateful for His Kingdom of Heaven on earth. His Holy Spirit lives in people believing in Him.

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah

3. Anxiety about ... finances... or just plain anything. Anxiety about having anxiety as a Christian. Just put it all up to Him. He knows anyway! Come clean from that worry. Stop being tied in a knot from having worry.

Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

(This Word about anxiety during my son's preemie year with apnea - not breathing and bradycardia - held me from becoming a puddle of worry.)

4. Forgetting to pray. Being selfish. There is a word for it - sin. Ask God to forgive you, ask Him to help you to have a right spirit. Ask for Him for help.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Jesus told us about goodness.

Luke 18:19
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God
alone."

So, what Jesus has said is - we are righteous before God when we confess our sins and then continue with Him in prayer.

5. Forgiveness - Jesus got angry. The Scriptures tell us anger is part of life. There is a righteous anger for being wronged.

Psalm 4:4
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Father God really honors this prayer. "Father God, I am angry at - - -, for - --. I want to forgive and so I am going to tell You right now, I forgive (list their name). Help that forgiveness to grow in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." Father God. honors. that. prayer. No matter if you have to make it again or you rest in that desire given to Him.

6. So what are we going to do with this trouble?

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never stop praying.

If you read the news and you are concerned. Tell the Lord. Ask Him to help. Offer to Him, your help. Pray. All the time.

7. What else?

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Our minister Clark Lowenfield says earnest prayer is good prayer. "Father God, I want this so badly - - - and I believe I have really good reasons, pleasing to You, for me to want this - - -. Father God, You are more knowing and have greater wisdom that I do. I ask for Your will and I ask that I want Your will. Strengthen me to walk in Your ways and give me wisdom to know Your ways. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. "

8.
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Blessed are You, Lord God. Blessed is Your Son, Jesus Christ. Blessed are You, Holy Spirit. Live in me. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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