2 Thessalonians 3 ~ the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored

 Photo Compiled by Investigation Bureau of Germany. I'd think this is the compilation of the numerous icons of St. Paul. Usually Paul looked more cheerful in the early Christian art.


2 Thessalonians 3


3 Finally, brothers,^{[brothers and sisters]} pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[glorified] as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.


What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? I've heard several people come up with a prayer inspired answer.  A PhD who has used his life interpreting versions of the Bible. A woman with a vast healing ministries say, separately, they believe Paul suffered from pain in his legs and knees, like arthritis. This a man who went many places for the LORD.


Today I had a great to do list and about three of the things were accomplished. Making me feel rather inadequate to write this blog. However, we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Do not grow weary in doing good.

It's important when Scripture calls to you, to listen. Not to turn away in frustration. How easy to forget in verse 3, the evil one would like nothing better than to condemn us for not being perfect. Instead we remember with power and strength, grasping how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ. Why would we remember that with all the saints? There is not one saint in this Book explaining the attributes, the qualities, the mercy, the forgiveness of God, who has not been a sinner. The miracle explained in this paraphrase of Ephesians 3  - families named by God on earth and in Heaven -  God says come as we actually are to HIM. The miracle is He takes us as HIS own.

God explains in this passage, about eating and idleness. He could also being speaking of the work we do in tearing flesh, of sarcasm. Busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

An example to imitate, we look to the good Jesus Christ gave us. This is one more example the Word of God is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Do not grow weary in doing good. Idleness? Always pray taking our needs to the Highest Authority is never an idle thing to do.


John 5:17
Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."


The Lord be with us all. Remember Jesus Christ appeared to Paul,a sinner to bring Paul to live the adventure Paul love,  serving and loving HIM. Jesus appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Jesus, risen from the dead, appeared to Paul.

Acts 9:5-6
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

1 Timothy 3:16
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. Father God, open our hearts to You. Let us be willing to be gathered to You as Your Child. Let us rest in Your Grace. In the name of Jesus Christ. We pray for Your world-wide Church for Your Love to fill and direct the people You send. Let us be Your Temple and not Herod's Royal Stoa. In Jesus' name. Amen.









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Exodus 13 ~ By a strong hand the Lord brought us out

Exodus 13

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”

Kosher kept the children of Israel surviving in the desert and giving birth. The Iron Age saw parents raising children and grandchildren instead of eking out self-existance. First born personality traits tend to be high achievers, driven, self assured, confident. They are usually the focus and center of their parent’s life, and as a result, they grow up with distinctive personality traits. Almost every one of the Presidents of the US were first born children. They are used to being relied on. Determination is next. They have probably felt this pressure from their family, and others who have relied on them being self-motivated, as they know people count on them. Organization is another part, with a system. Eager pleasers, used to having the approval of others. Peacemakers. Hiders keeping their problems hidden, in order to maintain this image.

God, that Smartie, was setting up a system where leaders had a way to be recognized and valued. Rather like Kosher working for the Children of Israel. God moving His Children forward.



3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. 5 And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. 8 You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.

Why is this night like no other? We would do well to examine our days. Gratitude is always something we need to uplift us and go forward. The Psalms tell us HE loads us with benefits each day. Without looking for the benefits we are bereft.


11 “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord's. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 

14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 

16 It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 4:34
Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?


17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

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Psalm 96 ~ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it

Psalm 96

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; ^{[holy attire]}
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

This week we decided was a good time to start working on the tree.  After kids start growing up, they are not as in love with the idea of a Christmas tree. Matter of fact to bring up the Christmas Tree starts everyone, except me, groaning about the tree. And after a couple of years of trying to build the thing with the numbers falling off of the branches, I make sure we take a shot at dividing up the tree decorating. We start with the bargaining of boxes and then get to the nitty gritty. My husband does a good job with the lights, but that usually involves buying more lights and some loud discussion. Loud Discussion.

So that brought down my oldest son. Who observed the loud discussion with some humor. As he wiped that off his face, he said, "Dad, I can solve this for you.  And you will never have to do this again."  My husband paused, this sounded good. "You only have to do one thing." What ~ we wondered as we turned to look at Cal. "You just have to embrace Judaism."  My husband was not amused. But Cal and I laughed harder and harder.

And actually this is a pretty good analogy for Psalm 96.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; ^{[holy attire]}

We treat the Lord pretty casually these days. We arrive with our kids in wrinkled clothes. We might not arrive on time. We might have fast food on the way home. I actually know a pretty good joke. (This woman has an electric, of course, window in her car go out. And she checks on the price $350 for a .50c plastic part. So she decides not to. And then the next window goes out and the next. So she has a car with three windows that aren't working. And finally her driver's window won't go down. And she says to the mechanic can you fix this window. He says, "Lady, what about the other three windows?" She replies, "Don't You Understand!?" "What?"The Mechanic asks.  She replies, "I Feed My Family From That Window!!.")

Worship is Worship. Render to God the things that are God's. Acknowledge His Holiness and stand in awe. Let Wonder be inspiring. 


Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.





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Psalm 100 ~ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Psalm 100


Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^{[and not we ourselves]}
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

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

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.


This particular Psalm is my favorite. We would belt this out, in Elementary School's Morning Prayer, while jumping and moving on the kneelers and the whole place smelled like Elmer's glue. You have to love what is dear and familiar to you. 

Below is the Old 100th Psalm and was created in 1551 A. D.  There is a good reason this one has lasted this long.  This is indeed a Joyful Noise to the LORD.







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Galatians 6:1-10 ~ restore him in a spirit of gentleness

That's My King, by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Galatians 6:1-10

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Brothers,^{[Brothers and sisters]} if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.



Muscular Christianity has been something admired through the generations. And the passage declares ... this isn't the path forward.

We were told in Church, one evening, with a very brilliant, interesting and well-known Professor from SMU, he loved the people he lived with in the Middle East. They had an endearing quality he loved; they kept urging him to say this phrase, "Allah is God, and Mohammad His Prophet." It seems if you say those words, in their tradition, then you are saved. In like Flynn. 

And our admired professor left his year long new friends, with smiles, having never uttered that phrase.  Perhaps he should have done as Paul - and become all things to all people.  The Professor was asked to just say the phrase. Instead our professor declined -  saying Jesus is KING, his Savior, the Son of God. And knowing our professor, he was gentle and witty.  

This year in his life expands this passage so well. Our friend was there learning about his lifework of Hebrew & of History, and instead his reason to boast was not his. His work as a Priest overshadowed the lessons. He proclaimed Jesus Christ in gentleness to the those who insisted on their own way. Our Priest Professor believed God would not be mocked by the repetition of a mere phrase.  He believes: 

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

A relationship, not a religion.


In not making the requested declaration, our Priest heard a woman come up to recite prayers to one of the more questioning and reasonable men. They all knew the woman would not be able to say these prayers in Arabic and yet she perfectly recited the daily prayer, and had not a clue she omitted one phrase "and Mohammad was His Prophet."  Which would usually incite a riot, or at least a good fist fight. Instead this created a long memorable, earnest,  conversation of the tongues of fire given in the Book of Acts. The gift of language. 

Acts 2:1-8
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

Now we could end our post by reporting a conversion with this miracle. Instead we will say a seed was planted.

1 Corinthians 3:4-9

4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.


We are not blessed to know the outcome of the ears hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead we learn about the Priest.

the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, 
for in due season we will reap,
 if we do not give up. 

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.


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Ezekiel 24 ~ write down the name of this day, this very day

Ezekiel 24


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible



In the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3 And utter a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, Thus says the Lord God:

“Set on the pot, set it on;
pour in water also;
4 put in it the pieces of meat,
all the good pieces, the thigh and the shoulder;
fill it with choice bones.
5 Take the choicest one of the flock;
pile the logs under it;
boil it well;
see also its bones in it.

6 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose corrosion is in it, and whose corrosion has not gone out of it! Take out of it piece after piece, without making any choice.^{[no lot has fallen upon it]} 7 For the blood she has shed is in her midst; she put it on the bare rock; she did not pour it out on the ground to cover it with dust. 8 To rouse my wrath, to take vengeance, I have set on the bare rock the blood she has shed, that it may not be covered. 9 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the pile great. 10 Heap on the logs, kindle the fire, boil the meat well, mix in the spices, and let the bones be burned up. 11 Then set it empty upon the coals, that it may become hot, and its copper may burn, that its uncleanness may be melted in it, its corrosion consumed.

 12 She has wearied herself with toil; its abundant corrosion does not go out of it. Into the fire with its corrosion! 13 On account of your unclean lewdness, because I would have cleansed you and you were not cleansed from your uncleanness, you shall not be cleansed anymore till I have satisfied my fury upon you. 14 I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.”


15 The word of the Lord came to me: 16 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.” 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.

19 And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting thus?” 20 Then I said to them, “The word of the Lord came to me: 21 ‘Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword. 22 And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. 23 Your turbans shall be on your heads and your shoes on your feet; you shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away in your iniquities and groan to one another. 24 Thus shall Ezekiel be to you a sign; according to all that he has done you shall do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God.’

25 “As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul's desire, and also their sons and daughters, 26 on that day a fugitive will come to you to report to you the news. 27 On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”



The Word of God is living and active, as the blog is being written I realized I'd put the new kettle on, it has no whistle and the pot has recently been corroded. However, thank the LORD, the corrosion wiped up nicely.

This week, the day before Thanksgiving, we euthanized our wonderful, treasured, loyal 14 year old Springer who had a miraculous healing from Cutaneous Lymphoma last October 19th from Texas A&M Dermatology portion of the Veterinary Medicine. Merit developed the tumors from the disease, he was prayed for, a foot heated up from the prayer and the healing began. He was healed and was told in May, by his regular Veterinarian, he appeared to be half his age. As July turned into August, similar symptoms began to occur. Merit lost 15% of his body weight; he followed me as usual, but didn't notice when I left the room. He was always worse when we left him with our good friend to be dog sat. I rationalized he couldn't sit, he couldn't stand, and he didn't know when I left the room. Putting him down wasn't easy. Merit was always determined to be by my side and never ran away, just sat by the front door.

Later, as with our last dog, also a Springer, I felt guilt because of the decision to euthanize to end the life of one who was so loyal, brave and good. The Vet told me, almost 95% of dogs are put down, not to suffer to the last minute.  We stayed with both dogs as they departed. I felt, with Merit, I had put him down too soon. With Spencer, not soon enough. I came home much more dry eyed with Merit, who was actually more my dog, by my side for 14 years. Why. More of knowledge, this time, of the certainty of seeing Merit again. Reading Romans 10
I realized Jew- the law, Greek-the wisdom Merit was going to the place some versions of Romans 10 call the oneness of God. 

Romans 10:1-2
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

I've heard people debate if the Lion lying down with the Lamb in Isaiah 11 is just a beautiful allegory. So many things Jesus told us in allegory expressed a greater truth. God could have sent an angel for Elijah, a cloud or a thunderbolt. Instead Father God sent horses. Just as He sends out horses in Revelations. The promises of life given during the days of Noah cover the animals. Creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of men. Surely Merit was part of His glorious and loving creation. An oasis. A dog descended from his grandsire,a winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, with an aunt who won also. Merit was so named because he had an extra tooth and was 10 pounds too light. His breeder hoped we would show his brother and allow her to handle his brother. Instead we had a dog who picked us. A puppy only too glad to have the collar put around his neck.

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Merit made life easier, he let me know every minute he loved me.

Merit lived 14.2 years. .2 years longer than possible. On the day before Thanksgiving, Merit went home to eagerly wait for the day we Shall be Reunited.  Ezekiel said not to mourn because we have earned judgement from HIM. And I would agree. How I need a Savior. A Savior so gentle that promises are made to me of my undeserved salvation.  And letters written just for me to say, this is My Nature. Promises I look towards to see reunion with a treasured part of His Creation.


Isaiah 11:6-7
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.


Psalm 50:10-11
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.


Psalm 145:16
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 147:9 
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?


2 Kings 2:
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"

The four winds sent from heaven are on horses. The four winds are written of in Daniel, Zechariah and Revelations 7.

Zechariah 6:
2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black, 3 the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. 4 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these, my lord?"

Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

Luke 18:18-19
18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

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James 3 ~ the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere

James 3

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

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,^{[wheel of birth]} and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,^{[brothers and sisters; also verse 12]} these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

~ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, St Francis of Assisi told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”

We have adapted the phrase to say "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary,  use words."

Youth Ministry has adapted this phrase to be, "Earn the right to be heard." And even more meaningful, "Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Jesus Christ."

We love to say Christians give Christ a bad rap, but we should also have mercy and say the world will always be at enmity with Christians.

Romans 8:7
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

And also with this thought, life is a process - a journey, how are we to judge others when we are beset with weaknesses: 

1 Kings 19:7
7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”

And the words of Jesus:

Luke 9:3
And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics."

Jesus Christ came to be our advocate and mediator. That does not make light of the people who lay down their lives for Truth, instead this is a remembrance God died for us.

Numbers 9:20
Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out.

Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this

Proverbs 22:19
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 28:26 
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.




The best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world, might have adopted her Thanksgiving face as Signora del Giocondo ruminated on:

Job 13:5
If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

<>< !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drive Safely, Wave with Courtesy, Pray for the Other Guy, Always. And with constant prayer be filled with gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!






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Nehemiah 7 ~ Then my God put it into my heart to assemble

Nehemiah 7

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible    
        

 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, ² I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. ³ And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” ⁴ The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

⁵ Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: ⁶ These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. ⁷ They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: ⁸ the sons of Parosh, 2,172. ⁹ The sons of Shephatiah, 372. ¹⁰ The sons of Arah, 652. ¹¹ The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. ¹² The sons of Elam, 1,254. ¹³ The sons of Zattu, 845. ¹⁴ The sons of Zaccai, 760. ¹⁵ The sons of Binnui, 648. ¹⁶ The sons of Bebai, 628. ¹⁷ The sons of Azgad, 2,322. ¹⁸ The sons of Adonikam, 667. ¹⁹ The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. ²⁰ The sons of Adin, 655. ²¹ The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. ²² The sons of Hashum, 328. ²³ The sons of Bezai, 324. ²⁴ The sons of Hariph, 112. ²⁵ The sons of Gibeon, 95. ²⁶ The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. ²⁷ The men of Anathoth, 128. ²⁸ The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. ²⁹ The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. ³⁰ The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. ³¹ The men of Michmas, 122. ³² The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. ³³ The men of the other Nebo, 52. ³⁴ The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. ³⁵ The sons of Harim, 320. ³⁶ The sons of Jericho, 345. ³⁷ The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. ³⁸ The sons of Senaah, 3,930. ³⁹ The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. ⁴⁰ The sons of Immer, 1,052. ⁴¹ The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. ⁴² The sons of Harim, 1,017. ⁴³ The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. ⁴⁴ The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. ⁴⁵ The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. ⁴⁶ The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, ⁴⁷ the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, ⁴⁸ the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, ⁴⁹ the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, ⁵⁰ the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, ⁵¹ the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, ⁵² the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, ⁵³ the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, ⁵⁴ the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, ⁵⁵ the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, ⁵⁶ the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. ⁵⁷ The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, ⁵⁸ the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, ⁵⁹ the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. ⁶⁰ All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. ⁶¹ The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: ⁶² the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. ⁶³ Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). ⁶⁴ These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. ⁶⁵ The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.

Totals of People and Gifts

⁶⁶ The whole assembly together was 42,360, ⁶⁷ besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. ⁶⁸ Their horses were 736, their mules 245, ⁶⁹ their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720. ⁷⁰ Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics^{[A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams]} of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas^{[A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogram]} of silver. ⁷¹ And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. ⁷² And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. ⁷³ So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.


 What is the difference between the return of Jacob's sons and the children of Judea.   
   

Exodus 12:37
  And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.

 In the Exodus, God created tremendous and might acts. The Children of Israel were afraid and unworthy. The strength of God Almighty was revealed. People just could not obtain His Holiness.   

 In the return from Babylon, the Children of Abraham are again enslaved, yet this time the Holiness of God works upon the 3 generations of kings in the Persian Empire. Three different kings promised to return slaves to a country in utter ruin. Why would we see this much detail in 500 B.C. Why would the details be so recorded for people to see millenniums later.... maybe to show us we don't like Biblical detail but find the Babylonian Chronicles completely fascinating even in the details of feeding a descendant of King David.  

List of Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles Dynastic Chronicle (ABC 18) (translation ) (another version of Column 5 ) Weidner Chronicle (ABC 19) (translation ) Chronicle of the Kassite and Isin Dynasties, also known as Walker's Chronicle (called "Chronicle 25", but not available in ABC) (translation ) Chronicle of Early Kings (ABC 20) (translation ) Synchronistic History (ABC 21) (one translation and another translation ) Chronicle P (ABC 22) (translation and another translation ) Chronicle of the Market Prices (ABC 23) (translation ) Eclectic Chronicle (ABC 24) (translation ) Religious Chronicle (ABC 17) (translation ) Nabonassar to Shamash-shum-ukin Chronicle (ABC 1) (translation ) Esarhaddon Chronicle (ABC 14) (translation ) Shamash-shuma-ukin Chronicle (ABC 15) (translation ) (another translation ) Akitu Chronicle (ABC 16) (translation ) Early Years of Nabopolassar Chronicle (ABC 2) (translation ) Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3) (translation ) Late Reign of Nabopolassar Chronicle (ABC 4) (translation ) First years of Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle, also known as Jerusalem Chronicle (ABC 5) (translation ) Third year of Neriglissar Chronicle (ABC 6) (translation ) Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7) (text and translation ) Artaxerxes III Chronicle (ABC 9) (translation ) Alexander Chronicle (ABC 8 = BCHP 1) (text and translation ) Alexander and Arabia Chronicle (BCHP 2) (text and translation ) Diadochi Chronicle (ABC 10 = BCHP 3) (text and translation ) Arses and Alexander fragment (BCHP 4) (translation ) Antiochus and Sin Temple Chronicle (ABC 11 = BCHP 5) (text and translation ) Ruin of Esagila Chronicle (BCHP 6) (text and translation ) Antiochus, Bactria, and India Chronicle (ABC 13A = BCHP 7) (text and translation ) Juniper garden Chronicle (BCHP 8) (text and translation ) End of Seleucus I Chronicle (ABC 12 = BCHP 9) (text and translation ) Seleucid Accessions Chronicle (ABC 13 = BCHP 10) (text and translation ) Invasion of Ptolemy III Chronicle (BCHP 11) (text and translation ) Seleucus III Chronicle (ABC 13B = BCHP 12) (text and translation ) Politai Chronicle (BCHP 13) (text and translation ) Greek Community Chronicle (BCHP 14) (text and translation ) Gold Theft Chronicle (BCHP 15) (text and translation ) Document on land and tithes (BCHP 16) (text and translation ) Judicial Chronicle (BCHP 17) (text and translation ) Bagayasha Chronicle (BCHP 18) Chronicle Concerning an Arsacid King (BCHP 19) (text and translation ) Euphrates Chronicle (BCHP 20) (text and translation  


Dry dusty tomes later, we discover historical accuracy is to be cheered and marveled over. We have so many movies over the Exodus, why not 2 ades march 16 597 B.C?

 The date no one disputes was the end of the country of Judea.  God took all of the details of utterly ruined and forsaken land and raised Israel up from the dead. 

  Acts 1:6-11    

 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.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

 We could say the 2nd Exodus, called the Exile is the Gospel truth.  

1 Corinthians 15

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ² and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.


 1 Corinthians 13:13   
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  

1 Corinthians 6:14 
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

Isaiah 63:7  
I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us--yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.  




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