Acts 27 ~ giving thanks to God in the presence of all

Acts 27


  English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio 

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 

 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast[a] was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. The Storm at Sea 

13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,[b] we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,[c] and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” 

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.[d] A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.[e] 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 

 33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,[f] for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276[g] persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. The Shipwreck 

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,[h] they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

It's good to be Paul. At first it was thought he was just another opinionated prisoner. But Paul does something we should remember when applying the love others as yourself. He saves himself as he saves others. 

And no, it is not really good to be Paul. In belonging to Jesus, he has given up his freedom and is in a life threatening situation. We seem to forget life in the Scriptures isn't all about God caring and providing. It is about the dangers of the voyage. 

Imagine being asked to have a meal and throw out the food for the voyage. It is the story of Elijah - having enough. It is trust. It is faith. Without this hope, it would have been impossible to go forward.  

Even for Paul, the wind blows where it will. 

Ezekiel 37:9 

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 

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Acts 10:34-43 ~ everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name

Acts 10:34-43

  English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio 

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ ( he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 

 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹  not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

Luke 18:10-14

  “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹²  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The second Scripture speaks of two different types of people. One is large and in charge and the other is humble. The first Scripture tells us God is not interested in boundaries and track records. But His Spirit searches us. Finding who believes in HIM. I feel angry when people debunk the Scriptures and say, "If you fear Him, you don't understand Him." 437 times in Scripture it tells us to fear God.

After the 1990 movie "Ghost" was made, with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, the United States public was polled to ask if they believed in the Heaven, hell and judgement portrayed in the movie. The public answered overwhelmingly - they did. We belonged, at the time, to an Episcopal Church where the Christian Education Director said the movie annoyed her, of course, there is no hell. Even to the children of people worried about suicide in their family. It really was not comforting or informative. In fact, it made me end the conversation and go home. Later, my family voted with our feet and left the Church. And I witnessed the young woman, in our Bible study, who had several stillborn children and was told there was not really a Heaven - just a memory in God's mind.

Luke 12:5 

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Proverbs 9:10 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 

So we press the boundaries of our beliefs and we say - where do you really stand. Is Proverbs true? The beginning of wisdom says God is in Charge. Not the Pharisee. With his position of importance and self-importance. 

And if there is a Heaven and a hell - all those scary movies are bunk - what we really need to do is please the One who will Decide.  

And then we see injustice in our lives, in the people around us and in the news and we wonder - is God really in charge? Maybe since everyone else skirts, skates and plays the margins of the rules - it is the acceptable thing to do. 

Then we remember with just a touch of humility the man who chose to not be like Buddha. Not a god to seek and seek and seek. God who chose to live among us as grace upon grace. Who chose to die upon a tree. And to be seemingly defeated. Only to astonish the Sanhedrin Council. The Talmud, of that Grace and Truth time, that exists today. The Roman Emperor - who was afraid of the name of Jesus Christ within 16 years. The men who hid and let the women mourn and take spices to the Tomb. The woman who proclaimed Him first and was the person adopted, after Jesus triumphed over death, into the family first. "My Father and yours." 

And God tells us about human nature. No one had to tell Jesus about human nature - He already knew. And He longed to gather us under His wing as His own. He cried for us. God shows no partiality. A good record and a bad deed - we are sinners. A bad record and a humble repentant heart - we will be the first He says "My Father and yours." 

Proverbs 16:18 

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Job 28:28

 And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'" 

Romans 14:12 

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 

James 3:6 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

Matthew 12:36 

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak 

Titus 1:2 

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 

2 Timothy 1:9 

who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time 

Ephesians 2:5

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

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Mark 16:9-20 ~ while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Mark 16:9-20


  English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.


12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

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. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. 


So the believers went to each other and told what they'd seen and believed. Even when they knew they'd probably be met with unbelief. A community who'd lived, eaten with and witnessed Jesus. These brothers and sisters, doing the will of God, faced up to what they knew to be true. It was very brave, they'd just seen the government kill Jesus brutally.

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

Mark 9:24, 27
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 

Matthew 14:31-32 
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

The same Lord Jesus rebuked them in this passage in verse 14 for unbelief and hardness of heart. Being God, Jesus knew when to press them to grow in faith and then to provide signs.

John 14:9

 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Jesus expected His adopted family to grow in faith. Just like His Father, he sometimes pressed them and then he comforted them.

Matthew 17:7

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

 

Matthew 9:29

Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

What can we expect from Jesus today? The Word and Will of God being living and active - unchanging yesterday, today and tomorrow?

John 5:17

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

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John 15:1-8 ~ apart from Me you can do nothing

Earl of Durham's Monument

John 15:1-8

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ²  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  

⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

I enjoy telling good family tales. And I admit, if they cause a Bit of embarrassment for someone else, then there is a little vinegar in the sugar. Take for example my cousin.  Samuel Clements. For the younger generation, he was the Robin Williams of his day. (Maybe I should say Lewis Black, but I really think he was closer to Robin Williams.)

Mark Twain:

It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.  

Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today. 

God's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.
- Notebook, 1898

What God lacks is convictions- stability of character. He ought to be a Presbyterian or a Catholic or something- not try to be everything.
- Notebook, 1898

 

Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven.

 All right, then, I'll go to hell.

Perhaps you've heard the tale about how my cousin was loud to proclaim he was jipped by his father. His father was in line to become the Earl of Durham, the oldest son. His father was so off  - as to not accept the Earldom complete with Lampton Castle.

When in doubt, tell the truth. 

Familiarity breeds contempt. How accurate that is. The reason we hold truth in such respect is because we have so little opportunity to get familiar with it.
- Notebook, 1898

Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it.

What a mixed bag we all are. Of good intentions and bravado.

Jane Lampton Clements had a son. Her son's name was Samuel Langhorne Clements. 

Firstborn and the Law of Primogeniture (Birthright):

Deuteronomy 21:17b

The right of the firstborn is his.

Add to that Cousin Samuel's birthday of November 30, 1835 and you realize they were out of the country for a time. And I happen to know for a fact - Samuel and William Lampton arrived, as the eldest sons of the Earl of Durham, in Virginia, in 1740. You might guess Samuel was his grandpappy and William mine. Well, Samuel had a fight with his dad. Because. Aristocratic England was going to the dogs. Slavery, debauchery, lots of ceremony and rules. And lots of druggies; so many they created Gin Lane. So Samuel and William fled their father because they wanted something new. Something clean. Something they could put their life's work into. So you see, Samuel Clements/Mark Twain had no claim on the Earldom. He forfeited fair and square and it fell to William. And William only had sons..... so move over MP Earl of Durham.  An American Cousin is coming to call. (I actually have a cousin who did this and they were quite lovely to her.)

So you see. Samuel Clements was a rascal. And yet. He was related to his Grandpappy Samuel in a profound way. Samuel believed strongly in women's rights and civil rights.  Lincoln's Proclamation "... not only set the black slaves free, but set the white man free also."

He believed unions needed to exist. And believed Laissez-faire was something government was created to keep in check for the greater good. 

Plus he said, " I have no respect for a man who can spell a word only one way."  I deeply relate to that. Except he really said - "I never had any large respect for good spelling." You have to like a man who gets to the point.

And for all of Twain's inner angst, it is important to realize he had amazing financial difficulties but he mirrored his Louisiana cousins (who are so proud to claim him), because he also gave the funds for an entire Presbyterian Church. 

And perhaps Samuel's thoughts on Heaven changed after he out-lived so many of his daughters. I cannot speak for Samuel's inner thoughts on Jesus Christ. I hope for him Jesus' Grace followed and preceded and Loved his works. It is only the place of Jesus to judge his soul. I offer this as hope for those with mixed deeds, all of us. Apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing.

When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to better world, I am moved to lead a different life.

Proverbs 23:5 

When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. 

Is certainly a phrase Samuel found to be true in his life, financially. Even Lampton Castle has found hard times. Built on coal mine wealth, the Castle, unfortunately, became unoccupied in 1931 because the coal mines underneath caused portions of the Castle to fall down. 

And of course this is an analogy. Words can be meaningless. Or obscure. And even worthless. We all have days wondering how fruitful our lives really are. It is because no one is good. 

All generalizations are false, including this one.

And even that is wrong. We do have moments and aspirations of goodness. Yet really. The reason we do - we abide in HIM.  Jesus Christ is our LORD. He is our hope for Salvation.

1 John 2:28 
And now, dear children, Continue in Him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 

John 1:9 
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 

1 John 2:8 
 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 

 Matthew 5:16 
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Romans 15:5

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Psalm 136 ~ a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136 

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
     for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14  and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.


What is a heritage? It is the good values you learned from your grandparents and your parents. A heritage are the values we learn to discard from our grandparents and parents. What we will give to our children. Then they will want to separate out their experiences and the process begins again.  And we give them the next heritage of keeping our mouths shut, our hearts gracious and to love as the next generation grows.

God does this for us as well. We know we just don't deserve His Goodness. But the most important thing is to Love the Lord. And accept His Grace. And to try again. It is GOD giving us the grace to accept people, laugh with them and at them gently.  To laugh at ourselves.

It is the ability to know in the Lord's Prayer;  Give us this Day!  Sometimes means I trust in You Father God, in faith that tomorrow will take care of itself.  It is the ability to love when we just don't Want to.  And the ability to Hope - when our heart is the most grumpy.


Psalm 116:13
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD

It is the times we gather with the ones we love and everyone clicks glasses - knowing this is a good moment. It is the times when it is difficult and we raise the Communion Cup - knowing we call on the Name of the LORD.  Jesus Christ.

In His Steadfast Love, We endure Forever!!!!

1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could..

One day the grandson asked, 'Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?' The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, 'Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.'

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You will have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was 'impossible to carry water in a basket,' and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Papa, it's useless!' 'So you think it is useless?' the old man said. 'Look at the basket.'

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean. 'Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.' Moral of the wicker basket story: Take time to read a portion of God's word each day; it will affect you for good even if you don't retain a word.

Thought for Today: God's Love is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end. I really like this story because I don't retain things too well anymore...age may have something to do with it but I figure my brain just gets overloaded! God isn't concerned about my brain anyway; He's more concerned about my heart.


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May 7th, 2012

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

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

Link to original Prayer Request on the Cutaneous (epitheliotrophic) lymphoma and the Vet Report. Thanks to our Reader who pointed this out on the Feedjit tool. 

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Leviticus 16:1-19 ~ shall be presented alive

Leviticus 16:1-19

  English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio 

The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, ² and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. ³ But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. ⁴ He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. ⁵ And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
 
⁶ “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. ⁷ Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. ⁸ And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel.^{[a] 9} And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, ¹⁰ but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel. 


¹¹ “Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. ¹² And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil ¹³  and put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. ¹⁴ And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

¹⁵  “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. ¹⁶ Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. ¹⁷  No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. ¹⁸ Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. ¹⁹ And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel.
 
Now why can't people get in interested in Leviticus. Be very impressed with the idea of going up to your local Church altar, but instead it is the Ark of the Covenant-  present. Even in a dream, it would get your attention.  And complete this with the Presence of the LORD in a Cloud over HIS Mercy Seat. Now that would just be phenomenal. You would never stop thinking about it, if you experienced something even remotely similar. 

And then, it seems strange the LORD starts out telling what a grieving Father should wear. Why does our FATHER GOD, tell us this. Because God is saying that He Loves us. 

Loves us so much that HE is going to dress Aaron up and have him come in to see Him and not the First Rate Moses. First He tells Aaron to be cleaned up. In order to kill a goat. Now, in our era, that is not a pleasing thing. But you know, this is not a Neanderthal crowd. Aaron built things in Egypt, he didn't run around enjoying killing a farm animal standing still. The blood offering is to say - you hurt Father God when you sin. You are so precious to Him, He wants to clean you up and bring you home, but nope. When you get to His House, you are going to be beneath HIM. And He is going to allow you to spread your filth around HIM. 

But when you just can't kill the second animal, because by now, it is too heavy - God is going to let the second thing go.

There is a very sad movie about child death starring Mary Tyler Moore. The father eventually realizes, his wife is a very cold person. After his wife emotionally abandoned the less perfect child, he remembers the fit his wife threw over the tie worn to the child's funeral.

Yet God is saying what to wear to a grieving Father -

I AM GOD. 

The first thing is this - Love the LORD your GOD, with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding.

Having experienced child death - loving the LORD. Father God. Is like this - your wife runs over your best dog, ruins your rifle. Or accidentally runs over your child. You are going to forgive her. For the sake of love. We LOVE Father God, because He first loved us.  No one ever is Good. But God is.

Aaron must be nigh well destroyed his sons are dead. Yet he knows as he throws the blood around - his sons live in God's promises.  

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 Matthew 8:11 

I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us 

Psalm 103:11-12
 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

1 Timothy 6:17 
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 


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1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 ~ afflictions

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


My mother and I were watching "To Kill a Mockingbird" in the last couple of years and I looked at her in one of the front yard scenes and it dawned on me, this was my grandmother's neighborhood during the Great Depression. My mother agreed her Dallas neighborhood had been just like it.  My grandmother Anita had taught a Methodist Bible Sunday School for 42 years to a crowd of about 60 people. One of the grumples my grandmother had was, "I feel so Afflicted!"


This passage tells us about people. Affliction does not draw people. It is Love. Timothy knew God's love and was going towards that Love. To know we are earnestly cared for and thought of. It is what we are called to be; to Grow Up and Go Home. It is our delight, our place and God's will to love the people God gives us. 


Each day we put out our hands and say, "Father God. I cannot do this alone. I have no goodness other than You. I am grumpy and self-centered and put myself first. Help me, just in Your Goodness, to Strengthen my feeble hands, steady the knees that give way. To encourage the ones around us to care for one another.  Remembering when Moses' hands grew tired, friends took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. People who cared for Moses held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset."


Please pray for my husband who has had one diagnosis he liked and wasn't complete. He needs encouragement for another opinion. Your prayers would be appreciated. 




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Psalm 16 ~ Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 16

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
     I have no good apart from you.”

³ As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.

⁴ The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

⁵ The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
⁶  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸  I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
     or let your holy one see corruption.

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We all have times in our lives when we feel we need Refuge. Solace. Comfort.

Looking at Scriptures, it is surprising to find the best known people in Scripture, really strong ones, are concerned with finding this refuge. Primarily, it is David seeking the refuge of God. Who wouldn't want to be David? I know I'd raise my hand to be David. Apple of God's eye, even today.  Isaiah did not endure a difficult life, yet sought this refuge. The Children of Israel, wandering in the desert, did not look for this refuge as much as the Psalmist.

David acknowledges the need for the LORD. No other refuge is Good.

Matthew 7:24-25
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Jesus believed this. And He took His disciples to Caesarea to hear Peter declare Him as LORD. Upon hearing worship from Peter, Jesus told His chosen about a Church - yet to be built. In words yet to be recorded. Spoken from His Mouth. Against a very present Roman Empire. This is how Jesus told them He planned to build: 

 Matthew 16:17-19 
 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 



Exodus 33:22 
and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 

Psalm 18:1-3 
I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 

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

Psalm 31:3 
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me 


Isaiah 2:10 
Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty.


 Isaiah 26:4 
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. 


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Prayers are appreciated

Hello,

This week we've had the Estate for my cousin begin. We have family visiting and are working on art projects and gifts, so that is a blessing. My son graduates this week. So prayers for communication, and blessings of gratitude for God's provision are great. Edward sees the surgeon tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers,

Anne-Laurel



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Luke 6 ~ came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases

God is Good

In Wonder, sung by the Newsboys

Luke 6:17-19

And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸ who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. ¹⁹ And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.



Jesus is still a hero today.  The Scripture passage does not say everyone who felt worthy and never had introspection showed up. It does not say the righteous only showed up. It does not say Jesus picked only the holy. The joy of Wonder. Jesus, choosing to be GOD, healed them all.  I don't know about you, but if I could do that - I sure would. We are all invited to go Home. Jesus gets to do this for all of His Chosen ones when they arrive at the 12 open gates of Heaven. 

The desire of this blogger to reach out not only to those blessed to believe in faith and have the blessing of:

John 20:29

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

And also those who really don't know and have always wanted to know. When you look at this passage, it is incredible. Yet the historical records of the Talmud and Josephus, who was the Historian to three Roman Emperors and a General for Judea, says Jesus was killed for being a righteous man. Josephus goes on to say Jesus brother died for saying Jesus is LORD. Josephus notes several men claimed to be the Messiah, but their followers quickly dispersed after their leader died. Josephus says in wonder, the followers of Jesus continue. Jesus' own brothers then began to risk all to proclaim Jesus as LORD. Only 16 years after Jesus died in an obscure Roman province, a mere suburb of Syria, Judea, the name of JESUS began to worry the Roman Emperors for 400 years.

1 Corinthians 9:5 

Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

It was not in the best interest for peace and welfare to proclaim, in the Judean or Roman world, Jesus as LORD, yet that is one of the reasons Jesus gave His Mother to John. Jesus told us in the end of the Gospel of John, John would live to be old. His Mother would be safe with John. Knowing His Brothers would be out doing the will of God.  Believe in faith,

all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

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