Mark 1:1-20 ~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path's straight

St. John the Baptist, painted by Leonardo da Vinci. 1513 to 1516, believed to be da Vinci’s last painting. Musée du Louvre.

Mark 1:1-20

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path’s straight.

A famous biblical quote, when this passage seems to zig and zag from an amazing Spiritual baptism into denigrating into temptation in the wilderness. Why?

Jesus was both man and fully Divine. The temptation of Christ mirrors the spiraling ministry of Jesus. The vast crowds of people saw Good News! The blind -see! The lame - hear! While Jesus' siblings at first mocked Jesus, telling Jesus (in John 7) not to mind the Pharisees were looking for Him, but to go to Jerusalem for the festival to prove Himself. The Pharisees know, in probability, this ministry is not headed in Jesus' favor:

John 7:35
The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?

Another choice provided. Even Jesus' family changed their mind about getting Jesus to jump more into the fray and ask Him to leave with them, in Matthew 12. Another zig-zag.

The point I am trying to make is this - because Jesus was man, God gave Jesus choices in the beginning, the middle and even the end....

Matthew 26:53
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Even in the middle of Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, drinking from the cup of sacrifice - given to Him by the Father - Jesus heals.

Luke 22:51
But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

Were the events making a straight path for the Lord? Yes, Jesus, being God, knew what was in the heart of man - and, yes, Jesus strove for us daily - placing mercy and sacrifice above honor. Our lives don't always make sense to us. We really don't see eternity - it is another reason to trust the Lord - His plan is at work even in our lives.

In faith we remember Jesus told His mother, His time had not come for wonders of God. But it was. In love and harmony, Jesus stepped forward to help His mother and His ministry unfolded.

The cross isn't a straight path. It is the cross section - the Upward Force of God meeting at the intersection of God taking our sins, flaws, mistakes, embarrassments, lukewarm-ness, indifference and washing our sins white. East becomes West.

God uses our welcoming attitudes & actions affirming love, and what is not what we would label as good to move His plan forward. In the life of His Son and in our lives as the adopted children of God.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'

Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

Blessed are You, Lord God. Blessed is Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forever. Amen.



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John 14:1-14 ~ Lord, show us the Father

Questioned Jesus, painted by James Tissot


John 14:1-14

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 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’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.


Mark 2:5
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Luke 5:23
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

Luke 7:47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

Luke 7:48
And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Matthew 17:18
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Luke 8:24
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

John 6:16-21
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Luke 4:29-30
They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

John 10:37-39
Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

Father God, the Children of Israel cried in the desert for more of your wonders continually. Each day they had insecurity. The disciples saw so many proofs and still doubted. Help us each day to be strengthened in You, as You did for the disciples. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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Mark 11:12-25 ~ He was hungry

Mark 11:12-25

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received [are receiving] it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Fig trees represent Spiritual fruit:

Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

These paragraphs are a living parable on The Temple being spiritually empty. The Essenes who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls correctly believed the world would end soon for them (they were killed in the 70 A.D. Roman invasion of Titus). The Essenes left Jerusalem and moved to Qumran, a plateau in the Judean Desert along the Dead Sea. Why did they think the Temple was spiritually void? Primarily because Herod placed all of the Priests in the Temple and Herod, living in adultery with his brother's wife, was a Roman educated, client-state king. The Essenes were correct about Herod, although it would be impossible to eradicate the Holy Spirit where God is praised and people look to Him in faith, hope and love.

Theology students study Ecclesiology - the theological study of the Christian Church. These three paragraphs are probably the cornerstone of Jesus' commentary.

Remember in Luke's Gospel, the Angel Gabriel chose to speak to Zechariah in the Temple. The infant Jesus' time came for purification presentation and sacrifice, Simeon was in the Temple to see with expectation the Consolation of Israel. The prophetess Anna never left the Temple.

Jesus went to the Temple, Himself, to teach, but primarily Jesus came to Display to the Temple - - they were not Feeding the people with their adherence to rigorous rules. Building a bureaucracy of another marketplace driven by position power, political power and rules to keep it all in line. Jesus was concerned: not only with someone like Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, Scribes seeking the Kingdom of Heaven, elderly widows with their two copper pennies, rich young men with too many possessions, the lame, beggars, the blind, wealthy tax collectors, sinners, even a Roman centurion, and a woman who just decided to be well by touching Him - just not rules to build religious pride and control. Jesus the Christ!!

As Christians we are called to be Shepherds for each other - not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-4.

Peter knew his Shepherd. After Peter betrayed the Lord during His trial, many would have slunk away permanently. Or gathered with the other disciples to further condemn Jesus for having placed them in danger.

Peter knew something important about his Shepherd. Peter knew he was loved. When there was a possibility Jesus had risen, Peter ran to him. When Jesus began to appear to the disciples, after His resurrection, Peter was willing to jump out the boat for Jesus again. This time, he swam. Peter wasn't convinced of his own goodness, but he was sure of his Savior.

As lay people, it's our Church theological cornerstone policy to realize Peter knew he was a flawed human and still wanted, turned towards, embraced, jumped in the water, hurried to Jesus Christ. Believing Jesus Christ is the reason, we want to be fed at His Meal.

John 21:15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Greek word - agape - complete love) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philo -brothery love) you.”

He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philo) you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (agape) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus called Peter twice. Not because Peter was so worthy, but because of the Steadfast Love and Mercy of God our Father.

Thank You, Father God, for Your many deeds of compassion and mercy. Lord, You provide for us physically and spiritually. Thank You for Your willingness to bless us and answer prayer. We look to you expectantly and with gladness, just as your servants Paul and Peter did. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Psalm 101 ~ dwell with Me

Psalm 101


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the Lord.

Lots of people thinking of the end of the world billboards. David Letterman wondering about Monday, 2 days after the world ends. Will the world will end in Eastern, Central or Pacific time? I have to spend time congratulating him for the joke - great minds think alike - we were wondering it in our ladies group on Tuesday.

Reddit website had an end of the world celebration releasing human shaped balloons.

All this talk about the end of the world made me think of Heaven. God is God of the Living. I was thinking today of the lack of good fiction about Heaven. We went to see the movie Thor last weekend, interesting Asgard - yet far from my idea of heaven. Some of the ideas of Heaven, in fiction, are chillingly limited to life experiences like "These Lovely Bones." Brrrr.

Christian books like "90 Minutes in Heaven"and "Heaven is for Real" all tell the same ideas of Heaven even listed in my family genealogy of the people from Richardson, Louisiana. With letters dating back more than one hundred years, people discussing entering Heaven as they enter.

Jesus told us about the Kingdom of Heaven, He said it is ... at hand. Now. Living and dwelling with us. We are the hands, feet, conversation, acts, words and work in the Lord's prayer saying Thy will be done on Heaven and on earth. Eternity doesn't start - when, it starts as we trust the Lord and believe in His promises to us.

We live the Kingdom of Heaven: Making music with a repeating chorus ~ in our lives of steadfast love, justice, blameless paths, pure hearts and faithful conversations. The world does not have to end for us to say:

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.





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Psalm 115 ~ Trust

Precious in His Sight, painted by Greg Olson

Psalm 115


1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel [O house of Israel], trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

Yesterday we looked at 1 Chronicles 4, the surprising genealogy of the sons of Judah where the prayer of Jabez shows up. It's no surprise - Jabez's soul, the intent of his soul is the reason God's hand was with Jabez and God granted what he asked.

Powerful words, God granted what he asked.

Our minister says when we have an earnest prayer request, it's best to explain why our prayer is heartfelt and how it honors the Lord. And to release our prayer into the hands of a loving Father. Trust is an eternally important issue to the Lord.

Read Psalm 81

1 Sing aloud to God our strength;

shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.

4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph
when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:
6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

The nature of God is to want to bless us! In prayer, we are not supposed to be subjugating God to our will. God knows the heart of mankind, and still gave us His Son for our salvation. God knows our desire Before we ask. God willingly blesses us. So many times, Jesus healed. In almost every miracle, work of the Lord, wonder of God - Jesus was asked. The blind asked. Jesus could see. He knew they were blind. Consider Jesus healing the deaf man. He drew the deaf man away from the crowd and explained the healing to a deaf man before it occurred. An awesome God, who loves us.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain [Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain].” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

May the Lord

Bless us and Keep us

and make His face

to shine upon us.

To be gracious to us.

To lift His Countenance upon us.

The Lord Jesus to Smile His Joy.

To give us His Peace.

His very own Peace.

To surround us in Jesus and His Love

Causing our path to give goodness

and mercy as our footsteps

We are Blessed to have

Jesus Christ

as our Savior.

Jesus bless us ALL to Overcome

Alleluia, Jesus has the Victory.

Alleluia!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves  †

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1 Chronicles 4 ~ The sons of Judah

1 Chronicles 4

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


1 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.


2 Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.

3 These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, 4 and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.

5 Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah;

6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.

7 The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. 8 Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum.

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain [Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain].” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

11 Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton. 12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah.

13 The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai. 14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah; and Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of Ge-harashim, so-called because they were craftsmen.

15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the son of Elah: Kenaz.

16 The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.

17 The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married; and she conceived and bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa. 18 And his Judahite wife bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.

19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the clans of the house of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; 22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem (now the records are ancient). 23 These were the potters who were inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the king's service.

24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul;

25 Shallum was his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.

26 The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.

27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did all their clan multiply like the men of Judah. 28 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, 29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David reigned. 32 And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five cities, 33 along with all their villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record.

34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel, 36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah—

38 these mentioned by name were princes in their clans, and their fathers' houses increased greatly. 39 They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, 40 where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, quiet, and peaceful, for the former inhabitants there belonged to Ham.

41 These, registered by name, came in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and destroyed their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and marked them for destruction to this day, and settled in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir, having as their leaders Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they defeated the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

So many people live in the world and have lived. Impossible to know all of the life stories. Yet not for the Creator of the Universe. The LORD, God Almighty.

Psalm 147

1 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the Lord!

In the middle of the dusty genealogy - we must realize this isn't dusty genealogy to God. A thousand years in the sight of man is equal to one day of the LORD. These men are fully known as warm souls to a living God.

In the middle of this list - that is more or less incomprehensible to us - we see a name we recognize - a life story we want to examine. We experience a very small, infinitesimal spark of God's wide, unfathomable interest He has in each of us. Who? Jabez.

It's amazing - after all the interest in the "PRAYER OF JABEZ" we find it buried in Our dusty tomes of 1 Chronicles 4. No other mention of "JABEZ" is given. Chosen, precious, special Jabez.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain [Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain].” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

What do these few sentences convey to us capturing our breath-taking interest? Of course, the easy answer is prosperity. No. This prayer is similar to Solomon's prayer for wisdom. Jabez. Did. Not. Ask. For. All. The. Treasure. Belonging. To. The. Lord. Jabez asked for something in the quietness of his heart. After a lot of introspective prayer, Jabez realized life offers pain. God saw his introspection.

Jabez, in the midst of a polytheistic world, (not unsimilar to our brash, striving, media driven world) has quieted his heart and he speaks to the LORD. Jabez knows his prayer has the attention of the Lord Most High. Jabez speaks earnestly to the Lord. Jabez asks for God to be with him, to provide for him with a supposition - Jabez does not mean to horde, but guide men as Abraham did. Not for glory, but for edification of God. For a simple reason. Jabez has experienced pain. And he wishes for it to cease.

And God granted what he asked.





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1 Chronicles 2 ~ Jesse was the father of

Matthew 13:31-32
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”




1 Chronicles 2 ~ (New International Version)


1 These were the sons of Israel:

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

3 The sons of Judah:
Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death. 4 Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.

5 The sons of Perez:
Hezron and Hamul.

6 The sons of Zerah:
Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol and Darda - five in all.

7 The son of Karmi:
Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things.

8 The son of Ethan:
Azariah.

9 The sons born to Hezron were:
Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb.


10 Ram was the father of
Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, the leader of the people of Judah. 11 Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, 12 Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse.

13 Jesse was the father of
Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, 14 the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, 15 the sixth Ozem and the seventh David. 16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel. 17 Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.


18 Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah (and by Jerioth). These were her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon. 19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20 Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri the father of Bezalel.

21 Later, Hezron, when he was sixty years old, married the daughter of Makir the father of Gilead. He made love to her, and she bore him Segub. 22 Segub was the father of Jair, who controlled twenty-three towns in Gilead. 23 (But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth Jair,[w] as well as Kenath with its surrounding settlements—sixty towns.) All these were descendants of Makir the father of Gilead.

24 After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah the wife of Hezron bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.


25 The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron:
Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.

27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel:
Maaz, Jamin and Eker.

28 The sons of Onam:
Shammai and Jada.

The sons of Shammai:
Nadab and Abishur.

29 Abishur’s wife was named Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.

30 The sons of Nadab:
Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.

31 The son of Appaim:
Ishi, who was the father of Sheshan.
Sheshan was the father of Ahlai.

32 The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother:
Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.

33 The sons of Jonathan:
Peleth and Zaza.

These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.

34 Sheshan had no sons—only daughters.
He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. 35 Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

36 Attai was the father of Nathan,
Nathan the father of Zabad,
37 Zabad the father of Ephlal,
Ephlal the father of Obed,
38 Obed the father of Jehu,
Jehu the father of Azariah,
39 Azariah the father of Helez,
Helez the father of Eleasah,
40 Eleasah the father of Sismai,
Sismai the father of Shallum,
41 Shallum the father of Jekamiah,
and Jekamiah the father of Elishama.

42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel:
Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and his son Mareshah,[z] who was the father of Hebron.

43 The sons of Hebron:
Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. 44 Shema was the father of Raham, and Raham the father of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai. 45 The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.

46 Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.

47 The sons of Jahdai:
Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph.

48 Caleb’s concubine Maakah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 She also gave birth to Shaaph the father of Madmannah and to Sheva the father of Makbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Aksah. 50 These were the descendants of Caleb.

The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah:
Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim, 51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

52 The descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim were:
Haroeh, half the Manahathites, 53 and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.

54 The descendants of Salma:
Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites, 55 and the clans of scribes[aa] who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the Rekabites

How can we turn dusty genealogy into something we don't think of every day? How to connect the dots from 300 B.C. to 2011 A.D......

Well, it is the genealogy of the Son of God. So, Bonus. We are adopted into the family. Big Bonus, this is our family.

So how long did people dwell on these dusty tomes? Today. Even in this generation, the Family of David still gathers and has family reunions of the descendants of King David. Me? I'd love to get in on this.

What about the family of Mary? Luke tells us she is related to her cousin Elizabeth - a daughter of Aaron. The Sanhedrin portion of the Talmud was interested in Mary's family. Very interested. While Jesus is also called Naggar bar naggar - "the carpenter son of a carpenter", also Ben charsch etaim - "the son of a wood worker"; Mary is identified as being the daughter of Heli.

And who records Jesus' genealogy right away? Matthew. All of the Gospels are identified by author personality and its characteristic - let's think about Matthew and why he started out telling us about Jesus' family.

A.J. Saldarini summarizes Matthew as : "The Gospel of Matthew addresses a deviant group within the Jewish community, a reformist Jewish sect seeking influence and power (relatively unsuccessfully) within the Jewish community as a whole."

So... Levi was bad to the bone. (Levi's part of the tax collector group looking too loyal to Rome for Jewish standards, even though the Temple Priest choices were made by Herod/Roman Puppet King. Levi, now called Matthew, was trying something new. But still part of the opposite end sect making the Temple unhappy.) Why would this tax collector, Roman Emperor employee/thug, named Levi who, in redemption, became our sainted Matthew start telling us about a list of the establishment?

Dang it. Again. Those pesky, exclusive Christians at it again. Offering to include everyone. What?

Matthew 9:10
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.

While Matthew may have felt more comfortable with the racketeers & invited the upwardly mobile thugs to his party, he invites the establishment into his Gospel in the first chapter. He throws the door open to them. Why? Matthew believes Jesus includes all people. And Matthew remembers Jesus began His ministry to the Children of Israel. The earliest dated fragment of the Gospel of Matthew is 26 A.D to 70 A.D. By then, Matthew knew Christianity was moving out of Israel into Asia, Rome and Europe. Matthew begins like Jesus, he invites all and he starts with the Children of Israel.


Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."


Matthew 5:15-17
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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.17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.


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2 Timothy 3:10-17 ~ all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

2 Timothy 3:10-17

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God [a messenger of God] may be competent, equipped for every good work.

20 -30 years ago, Christianity was divisive by denomination. Christians would gather and wonder about Jesus and the Heavenly Kingdom being burdened by the gap in the body of Christ. Would God be saddened? Today, we've seen news reports of the high rate of change - people changing denominations. Then considerable attrition in the major denominations.

We are at the 500 year mark in Christianity and live in interesting times. The denominations that carried the founders of the United States across oceans - the ones we recognize as belonging to our families, our grandparents, parents and our generation are falling into decline. People are just not divided by denomination any more.

What is new? People are divided by - - - What are the Scriptures?

The Churches believing the Scriptures are the Word of God are growing. The faithful want their faith in hope and love.

Jesus said, in Luke 6:44: For each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.

Paul wrote the same to Timothy in this letter the same thing.

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

Our pastor, Clark Lowenfield, said in Sunday's sermon, "Jesus is fully divine and fully human. The Bible is also fully human and fully divine."

2 Thessalonians 3:17
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.

1 Corinthians 16:21
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

Galatians 6:11
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!


and

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Peter 1:19-21
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Peter agrees with Paul in Scriptures, as does John. These men who knew Jesus, clearly knew if Jesus said He was the Son of God and was killed for it. They would be killed for claiming to write Scripture for God. They believed what they had witnessed was greater than their lives.

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

John says in his 21st, last, chapter:
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

and John's 1st chapter he says:
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Samuel 23:2
"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

Ezekiel 1:3
The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.

Acts 1:16
and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus--

2 Peter 1:18-19
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.


Why doesn't archeological fragments back up the early writings of the Bible? It does! It does! Tender papyrus is found! Preserved from 30 and 70 A.D., The Magdalen Papyrus



Qumran Cave 7, portions of Scripture from Timothy, James, Mark and Acts - 70 AD - latest date.


Rylands Papyrus recently re-dated to 90 AD




Bodmer Papyrus - 50 collected works of Scripture dated to 200 A.D.

Does history record this time. Again and again and again. The Sanhedrin Court documents of Israel - encountering the miracles of Jesus, who His mother is, who His father and grandfather are, how they despised Him "for sorcery." The writing of Josephus - from Israel, recording undisputed history for 3 emperors. Writing of Jesus as the Christ, amazed His disciples did not desert Him after death and was the first time the word Christians were used. Writing of Jesus' brother - James.

Julius Africanus, an early church father, writing in the year 221 C.E. wrote about the writings of Thallus - quoting from the now destroyed works of the famous first century historian about Jesus. Cornelius Tacitus, born circa early 50 A.D., became a senator, wrote of the Christians at the time of Nero and their belief in Jesus. The early first century letters of Rabbi Lycanthra of Lystra, Israel - worried, saying how will the true faith of Judaism continue when so many miracles keep occurring in the name of Jesus Christ.

The 262 years of martyrdom - people willing to proclaim Jesus Christ with their lives. 16 years after the death of Jesus, the Emperors of Rome knew the name of Jesus and feared His power. The first distinct Roman persecution of Christians in 64 A.D., by the emperor Nero, and closes with the implementation of the 'Edict of Milan' in 313 CE., signed by Constantine and Licinius.

Sometime in the 3rd century A.D., Sextus Julius Africanus, also cited by Eusebius of Caesarea, Bishop of Caesarea, records the Emperor Diocletian sent a troop from Rome specifically to discredit the relatives - nephews - of Jesus who had kept the records of their ancestry with great care. Emperor Diocletian wanted the family to recant their claim that Jesus was the Son of God. Instead they were killed. Diocletian considered this to be his most important stand against Jesus in an ever failing battle to do away with Christianity. (Church History 1.7.14)

Further reading can be found - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08375a.htm
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/talmud1.htm

1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹ Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

Hebrews 12:1-3

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How have you received the Good News ..... 2,000 years after Jesus Christ rose from the dead?

Acts 10:40-42

⁴⁰ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

2,000 years later - we still honor Him as the Son of God. Our Redeemer. Believing in Him, there will be a day - when all tears will be wiped away - we will know Him fully as He has known us.

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