2/29/12

Just a butterfly...


I woke up before dawn today and started to work on the computer before 7 am.  Life is both variable and strange during retirement.  Right now, this cup of coffee looks great to me.  Not just because its coffee, but because of the little something extra; the butterfly.  Somehow, this simple addition makes it enticing.  And then Jesus does this...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 19

[13] Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But Jesus said, "“Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”" [15] He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

There is so much in the Bible that it is almost beyond belief (no pun intended).  Even though I have been through it many times, still, I always manage to find something new.  It has concepts in it that almost defy understanding (read the book of Revelation lately?) and yet its simplicity is also profound.  The above passage from Matthew is an example.  Little children belong in the Kingdom of Heaven; now there is a thought!!!  Scribes and Pharisees, with all their intellect and religious studies fell short, but CHILDREN DIDN'T!!!  Tells you something about SIMPLE FAITH, DOESN'T IT?  That's today's thought... simple faith and the simple beauty of a cup of coffee (with a butterfly).  If God gave me a cup of coffee in heaven, I wonder what design he would put on it????

Feb. 29 Exodus 10


Feb. 29
Exodus 10

Exo 10:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs in the midst of them,
Exo 10:2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son's son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am Yahweh."
Exo 10:3 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, "This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 10:4 Or else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country,
Exo 10:5 and they shall cover the surface of the earth, so that one won't be able to see the earth. They shall eat the residue of that which has escaped, which remains to you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which grows for you out of the field.
Exo 10:6 Your houses shall be filled, and the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; as neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.' " He turned, and went out from Pharaoh.
Exo 10:7 Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Yahweh, their God. Don't you yet know that Egypt is destroyed?"
Exo 10:8 Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, "Go, serve Yahweh your God; but who are those who will go?"
Exo 10:9 Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old; with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast to Yahweh."
Exo 10:10 He said to them, "Yahweh be with you if I will let you go with your little ones! See, evil is clearly before your faces.
Exo 10:11 Not so! Go now you who are men, and serve Yahweh; for that is what you desire!" They were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
Exo 10:12 Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left."
Exo 10:13 Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and Yahweh brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all the night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
Exo 10:14 The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt. They were very grievous. Before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
Exo 10:15 For they covered the surface of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened, and they ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. There remained nothing green, either tree or herb of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
Exo 10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, "I have sinned against Yahweh your God, and against you.
Exo 10:17 Now therefore please forgive my sin again, and pray to Yahweh your God, that he may also take away from me this death."
Exo 10:18 He went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to Yahweh.
Exo 10:19 Yahweh turned an exceeding strong west wind, which took up the locusts, and drove them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the borders of Egypt.
Exo 10:20 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he didn't let the children of Israel go.
Exo 10:21 Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt."
Exo 10:22 Moses stretched forth his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
Exo 10:23 They didn't see one another, neither did anyone rise from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Exo 10:24 Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, "Go, serve Yahweh. Only let your flocks and your herds stay behind. Let your little ones also go with you."
Exo 10:25 Moses said, "You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh our God.
Exo 10:26 Our livestock also shall go with us. There shall not a hoof be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Yahweh our God; and we don't know with what we must serve Yahweh, until we come there."
Exo 10:27 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he wouldn't let them go.
Exo 10:28 Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!"
Exo 10:29 Moses said, "You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more."

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS" Psalm 15 - The Marks Of A True Worshiper by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

               Psalm 15 - The Marks Of A True Worshiper

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note the character of those whom God would have worship Him

2) To be reminded of basic principles of righteous conduct required by
   God

SUMMARY

The heading attributes this psalm to David, and may have been written
in anticipation of the ark's restoration to Israel and establishment of
public worship in Jerusalem (cf. 2Sa 6:1-19).  It is didactic in
nature, and is entitled by Leupold as "The Marks Of A True Worshiper."

The psalm begins with two questions addressed to Jehovah (LORD),
perhaps prompted by the incident involving Uzzah touching the ark when
it was being transported improperly on the back of a cart (cf. 2 Sam
6:3-7; Num 4:5-15; 7:9).  Since no one could actually take up residence
in the tabernacle, the inquiry could be paraphrased "Whom will You
accept when he comes to Your house, O Lord?" (1).

The answer provided begins with a general description of a true
worshiper as one who walks uprightly and works righteousness.  More
specifically, the true worshiper is one who does not lie (cf. Ep 4:25),
backbite with his tongue (cf. Jm 4:11), do evil to his neighbor, or
take up a reproach against his friend (cf. Ps 101:5-8).  He despises a
vile person, but honors those who fear the Lord (cf. Ps 16:3;
119:63).  His upright character is illustrated by his unwillingness to
go back on his word even if he has sworn to his own detriment (e.g.,
Josh 9:18-20; Judg 11:35).  He also will not loan money at interest (cf.
Exo 22:25; Deut 23:19,20), or take bribes (cf. Exo 23:8) against the
innocent (2-5a).

The psalm ends with a declaration that one who does these things shall
never be moved.  This is because he is privileged to draw near to God
(cf. Ps 16:8), and is reminiscent of the blessed man of Psalms 1 who
prospers in every thing he does (5b).

OUTLINE

I. THE QUESTION POSED (15:1)

   A. WHO MAY ABIDE IN THE LORD'S TABERNACLE? (1a)

   B. WHO MAY DWELL IN HIS HOLY HILL? (1b)

II. THE ANSWER PROVIDED (15:2-5)

   A. IN GENERAL TERMS (2a)
      1. He who walks uprightly
      2. He who works righteousness

   B. IN SPECIFIC TERMS (2b-5)
      1. He who speaks truth in his heart
      2. He who does not...
         a. Backbite with his tongue
         b. Do evil to his neighbor
         c. Take up a reproach against his friend
      3. In whose eyes...
         a. A vile person is despised
         b. One who fears the Lord is honored
      4. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change
      5. He who does not...
         a. Put out his money at usury (interest)
         b. Take a bribe against the innocent
      -- He who does these things shall never be moved

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - The question posed (1)
   - The answer provided (2-5)

2) Who is the author of this psalm?
   - David

3) What is the character or style of this psalm?
   - Didactic (designed to teach or instruct)

4) What question(s) does the psalmist ask at the beginning? (1)
   - Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
   - Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

5) What is the answer in general terms? (2a)
   - He who walks uprightly and works righteousness

6) What is the answer in more specific terms? (2b-5a)
   - He who speaks the truth in his heart
   - He who does not backbite with his tongue
   - He who does no evil to his neighbor
   - He who does not take up a reproach against his friend
   - He who despises a vile person
   - He who honors those who fear the Lord
   - He who swears to his own hurt and does not change
   - He who does not put out his money at usury
   - He who does not take a bribe against the innocent

7) What is said of one who does all these things? (5b)
   - He shall never be moved

2/28/12

Indestructable!!!


This lighthouse looks like it will be overwhelmed by those massive waves, yet somehow it survives.  Christianity is a lot like this lighthouse.  Daily we hear of fresh avenues of attack; new ways Satan is trying to destroy God's work.  The good news is, Satan will continue to fail.  Why?  Because nothing can withstand the will of God; absolutely nothing!!!  If we are within that will, Satan can not get to us either.  The following scriptures give insight to this thought...


WEB: Matthew Chapter 16

[13] Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”"

[14] They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

[15] He said to them, "“But who do you say that I am?”"

[16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

[17] Jesus answered him, "“Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Peter actually said something right: he acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.  This, coupled with obedience is the foundation for the assembly (the church) and not can stand against it, absolutely nothing!!!  As Jesus is the light of the world, so is his assembly (or church).  It just occurred to me; the place where Christians meet is a light - house because the light of God shines there!!!

Feb. 28 Exodus 9


Feb. 28
Exodus 9

Exo 9:1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 9:2 For if you refuse to let them go, and hold them still,
Exo 9:3 behold, the hand of Yahweh is on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks with a very grievous pestilence.
Exo 9:4 Yahweh will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt; and there shall nothing die of all that belongs to the children of Israel." ' "
Exo 9:5 Yahweh appointed a set time, saying, "Tomorrow Yahweh shall do this thing in the land."
Exo 9:6 Yahweh did that thing on the next day; and all the livestock of Egypt died, but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died.
Exo 9:7 Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not so much as one of the livestock of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stubborn, and he didn't let the people go.
Exo 9:8 Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron, "Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh.
Exo 9:9 It shall become small dust over all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with boils on man and on animal, throughout all the land of Egypt."
Exo 9:10 They took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward the sky; and it became a boil breaking forth with boils on man and on animal.
Exo 9:11 The magicians couldn't stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were on the magicians, and on all the Egyptians.
Exo 9:12 Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he didn't listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken to Moses.
Exo 9:13 Yahweh said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and tell him, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 9:14 For this time I will send all my plagues against your heart, against your officials, and against your people; that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.
Exo 9:15 For now I would have put forth my hand, and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth;
Exo 9:16 but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth;
Exo 9:17 as you still exalt yourself against my people, that you won't let them go.
Exo 9:18 Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now.
Exo 9:19 Now therefore command that all of your livestock and all that you have in the field be brought into shelter. Every man and animal that is found in the field, and isn't brought home, the hail shall come down on them, and they shall die." ' "
Exo 9:20 Those who feared the word of Yahweh among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses.
Exo 9:21 Whoever didn't regard the word of Yahweh left his servants and his livestock in the field.
Exo 9:22 Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch forth your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt."
Exo 9:23 Moses stretched forth his rod toward the heavens, and Yahweh sent thunder, hail, and lightning flashed down to the earth. Yahweh rained hail on the land of Egypt.
Exo 9:24 So there was very severe hail, and lightning mixed with the hail, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
Exo 9:25 The hail struck throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and animal; and the hail struck every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field.
Exo 9:26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.
Exo 9:27 Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
Exo 9:28 Pray to Yahweh; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."
Exo 9:29 Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands to Yahweh. The thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is Yahweh's.
Exo 9:30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you don't yet fear Yahweh God."
Exo 9:31 The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.
Exo 9:32 But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they had not grown up.
Exo 9:33 Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands to Yahweh; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
Exo 9:34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
Exo 9:35 The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn't let the children of Israel go, just as Yahweh had spoken through Moses.

Feb. 28, 29 Mark 2


Feb. 28, 29
Mark 2

Mar 2:1 When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house.
Mar 2:2 Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them.
Mar 2:3 Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him.
Mar 2:4 When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on.
Mar 2:5 Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Mar 2:6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mar 2:7 "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Mar 2:8 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you reason these things in your hearts?
Mar 2:9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?'
Mar 2:10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -he said to the paralytic-
Mar 2:11 "I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house."
Mar 2:12 He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Mar 2:13 He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them.
Mar 2:14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he arose and followed him.
Mar 2:15 It happened, that he was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him.
Mar 2:16 The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
Mar 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Mar 2:18 John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
Mar 2:19 Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can't fast.
Mar 2:20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.
Mar 2:21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.
Mar 2:22 No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins."
Mar 2:23 It happened that he was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain.
Mar 2:24 The Pharisees said to him, "Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?"
Mar 2:25 He said to them, "Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry-he, and those who were with him?
Mar 2:26 How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?"
Mar 2:27 He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS" Psalm 8 - The Song Of The Astronomer by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

                 Psalm 8 - The Song Of The Astronomer

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To consider a beautiful example of a hymn of praise

2) To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Gittith"

3) To note man's dominion over the earth when created by God, but also
   that he lost it and has now been regained by Jesus Christ

SUMMARY

The heading attributes this psalm to David, with instructions to the
Chief Musician to be sung "upon Gittith."  This may mean "after the
tune of the treaders of the winepress" (Leupold) and refer to the
joyful nature in which the workers sung.  The psalm is certainly a hymn
of delight, as are others with this word in the heading (Ps 81, 84).  I
second Spurgeon's suggestion that this psalm can be called "The Song Of
The Astronomer" as it seems to have been prompted while contemplating
the night skies.

It begins praising God for His excellent name (i.e. character) and His
glory in the earth and above the heavens.  God's glory is illustrated
in the way He is able to use "babes" and "infants" (i.e., the frailest
and weakest of men, e.g., Mt 11:25; 1Co 1:27) to silence the enemy and
the avenger (1-2).

David's praise appears to have been sparked by comparing the work of
God in the heavens with the seeming insignificance of man on the earth.
Amazed that God would even be mindful of man, David noted that God
created man a little lower than the angels, and even set man over the
works of His hands, including the animals, birds, and fish (3-8).  Of
course, after the fall of man that dominion was lost, and has since
been regained by Jesus Christ following His resurrection and ascension
to heaven (cf. He 2:5-9; Mt 28:19; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22).

The psalm ends the way it began, praising the excellence of God's name
in all the earth, which is the proper response of His creation,
especially man (9).

OUTLINE

I. GOD'S MAJESTY IN CREATION (8:1-2)

   A. HIS NAME AND GLORY (1)
      1. His name (character) exalted in all the earth
      2. His glory set above the heavens

   B. HIS POWER OVER ENEMIES (2)
      1. Able to ordain strength from the mouths of babes and infants
      2. And thereby silence the enemy and the avenger

II. MAN'S DIGNITY OVER CREATION (8:3-9)

   A. MAN'S INSIGNIFICANCE (3-4)
      1. In contrast to the heavens, the moon and stars
      2. Amazed that God would consider man, even less care for him

   B. MAN'S EXALTATION (5-8)
      1. By virtue of his creation by God
         a. Made a little lower than the angels
         b. Crowned with glory and honor
      2. By virtue of his place in creation
         a. Given dominion over the works of God
         b. All things placed under his feet
            1) Sheep, oxen, the beasts of the field
            2) The birds of the air
            3) The fish that pass through the paths of the sea

   C. MAN'S RESPONSE (9)
      1. To praise God!
      2. For His excellent Name in all the earth!

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - God's majesty in creation (1-2)
   - Man's dignity over creation (3-9)

2) Who is the author of this psalm?
   - David

3) For what does the Psalmist praise God? (1)
   - The excellence of His name (character) in all the earth
   - His glory set above the heavens

4) How has God chosen to silence the enemy and the avenger? (2)
   - By working His strength (power) through "babes" and "infants"

5) What prompted the Psalmist's amazement over God's concern for man?
   (3-4)
   - His contemplation of the night skies

6) How was man exalted when God created him? (5-6)
   - God made him a little lower than the angels
   - God crowned him with glory and honor
   - God gave him dominion over the works of His hands
   - God put all things under his feet

7) What things were placed under man's feet? (7-8)
   - All sheep and oxen
   - The beasts of the field
   - The birds of the air
   - The fish that pass through the paths of the sea

8) Has man maintained his dominion over the earth? (cf. He 2:5-8)
   - No

9) Who now has all authority over heaven and earth? (cf. He 2:9; Mt
   28:19; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22)
   - Jesus Christ, who became man and for the suffering of death has 
     been crowned with glory and honor; He is now head over all things

10) Contemplating God's majesty and man's dignity, how does David end
    his psalm? (9)
   - With praise for the excellence of God's name (character) in all 
     the earth

2/27/12

A hard message to say and a harder one to hear


I think we all know what they MEANT TO SAY.  Toilets have a function; a very useful function and without them we would all be still using outhouses.  Perhaps they should have said something like: Please don't put anything unnatural in the toilet or Toilets are for human waste only.  Still, none of these sound quite right.  I am not really sure if there is a gentle way of conveying this message..???  Communication can be difficult at times, especially when the speaker and the hearer have different generic starting points...

WEB: John Chapter 8

[30] As he spoke these things, many believed in him. [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”"

[33] They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, "‘You will be made free?’"”

[34] Jesus answered them, "“Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. [35] A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. [36] If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. [37] I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. [38] I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”"

[39] They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them, "“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. [41] You do the works of your father.”"

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

[42] Therefore Jesus said to them, "“If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. [44] You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. [45] But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. [46] Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”"

[48] Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”

[49] Jesus answered, "“I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. [51] Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”"

[52] Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, "‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’" [53] Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

[54] Jesus answered, "“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. [55] You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”"

[57] The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

[58] Jesus said to them, "“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”"

[59] Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.

The Jews felt that THEY WERE GOD'S PEOPLE BY BIRTH; Jesus taught that God's people belonged to God on the basis of obedient faith.  And so there was confusion and more confusion; that is... until the "I AM" statement.  Then the Jews tried to kill Jesus.  What kind of people do that anyway???  Perhaps its a middle eastern mindset or just characteristic of the Jews that made them act this way?  No, the more I think about it, it seems its a general characteristic of all men, everywhere, to act like this.  Which makes me wonder what sort of sign they would have instead of the one above.  Maybe... Only put poop in the potty?  No, that wouldn't work either... not literal enough!!!

Feb. 27 Exodus 8


Feb. 27
Exodus 8

Exo 8:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, "This is what Yahweh says, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 8:2 If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs:
Exo 8:3 and the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into your house, and into your bedchamber, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs:
Exo 8:4 and the frogs shall come up both on you, and on your people, and on all your servants.' "
Exo 8:5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch forth your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.' "
Exo 8:6 Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:7 The magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat Yahweh, that he take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Yahweh."
Exo 8:9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only."
Exo 8:10 He said, "Tomorrow." He said, "Be it according to your word, that you may know that there is none like Yahweh our God.
Exo 8:11 The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only."
Exo 8:12 Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to Yahweh concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh.
Exo 8:13 Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields.
Exo 8:14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.
Exo 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and didn't listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 8:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.' "
Exo 8:17 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:18 The magicians tried with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they couldn't. There were lice on man, and on animal.
Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God:" and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 8:20 Yahweh said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes forth to the water; and tell him, 'This is what Yahweh says, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 8:21 Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
Exo 8:22 I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am Yahweh in the midst of the earth.
Exo 8:23 I will put a division between my people and your people: by tomorrow shall this sign be." ' "
Exo 8:24 Yahweh did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses: and in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.
Exo 8:25 Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land!"
Exo 8:26 Moses said, "It isn't appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Yahweh our God. Behold, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and won't they stone us?
Exo 8:27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he shall command us."
Exo 8:28 Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray for me."
Exo 8:29 Moses said, "Behold, I go out from you, and I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; only don't let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Yahweh."
Exo 8:30 Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to Yahweh.
Exo 8:31 Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one.
Exo 8:32 Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn't let the people go.

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS" Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

            Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note how historical events often served as the impetus for the 
   writing of particular psalms

2) To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Selah"

3) To consider how David trusted in the Lord to deliver him from his 
   enemies

SUMMARY

The heading attributes this psalm to David, composed as he was fleeing
from his son Absalom (cf. 2Sa 15-18).  It is commonly called "a
morning hymn" (cf. v. 5) in which the psalmist prays for God's
protection.

David addresses his complaint to the Lord, how there be many who
trouble him.  They even taunt him by saying there is no help from God
for him (cf. the curses of Shimei, 2Sa 16:5-8). In this psalm (and in
many others) we find the word "Selah".   The exact meaning  is unknown,
but it may have served the purpose of providing some musical notation. 
It seems to be inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or
reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just made
(1-2).

Following his complaint is an expression of comfort received from the
Lord in the past.  Such consolation prompts him to view the Lord as a
shield and his glory, the One who is able to lift up his head.  Indeed,
the Lord has heard his earlier cry and enabled him to sleep and awake. 
This gives him renewed courage to face his many enemies (cf. 2 Sam
18:7), even though they numbered in the thousands (3-6).

As he starts the new day, he yet again calls upon the Lord to save him,
even as He has done in the past.  His "morning hymn" ends with the
acknowledgment of God as the source of salvation and blessing for His
people (7-8).

OUTLINE

I. DAVID'S COMPLAINT (3:1-2)

   A. MANY TROUBLE HIM (1)

   B. MANY RISE UP AGAINST HIM (2)

   C. MANY SAY THERE IS NO HELP FROM GOD FOR HIM (2)
   
II. DAVID'S COMFORT (3:3-6)

   A. WHAT GOD IS TO HIM (3)
      1. His shield and glory
      2. The One who lifts his head

   B. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM (4-6)
      1. Heard his cry from His holy hill
      2. Sustained him during sleep
      3. Given him courage against ten thousands of men

III. DAVID'S CRY (3:7-8)

   A. FOR DELIVERANCE BY GOD (7)
      1. To arise and save him
      2. As God has done in the past
         a. Having struck his enemies on the cheekbone
         b. Having broken the teeth of the ungodly

   B. OF PRAISE TO GOD (8)
      1. Salvation belongs to God
      2. His blessing is upon His people

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - David's complaint (1-2)
   - David's comfort (3-6)
   - David's cry (7-8)

2) Who is the author of this psalm, and what occasion led to its
   composition?
   - David
   - When he was fleeing from Absalom

3) What was David's complaint? (1)
   - Many have risen against him, to trouble him

4) What were people saying about David?  Who in particular said such
   things? (2)
   - There is no help for him from God
   - Shimei, son of Gera, of the house of Saul (cf. 2Sa 16:5-8)

5) What is the meaning of the word "Selah"? (2)
   - It is likely a musical notation
   - Perhaps inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or
     reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just 
     made (Leupold)

6) How did David view God? (3)
   - As a shield, his glory, the One who lifts up his head

7) What did David do, and what was God's response? (4)
   - David cried to the Lord with his voice
   - God heard him from His holy hill

8) What was David able to do because of God's sustaining him? (5)
   - To lay down and sleep, and then to awake

9) What else did God make possible for David? (6)
   - Not to be afraid, even when ten thousands of people surrounded
     against him

10) For what does David pray? (7)
   - To arise and save him

11) What had God done for David in the past? (7)
   - Struck his enemies on the cheekbone
   - Broken the teeth of the ungodly

13) What does David attribute to the Lord? (8)
   - Salvation and blessing to His people

2/26/12

Not just for birds...


They look like Pigeons to me, but I am not exactly sure what they are.  But I am sure that they are close to one another and that is the important thing to notice.  I picked this picture today because it reminded me of an good sermon I heard in church today from the following passage...

World English Bible: I Corinthians Chapter 13

[1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

For many of us this is a familiar chapter of the New Testament; but what I found interesting was that at the end of the lesson, the preacher asked us to insert "I" where the characteristics of love are listed in the emboldened verses above.  I included the entire chapter for context sake and to clarify those bold verses.  Love extends from love of self to friends, family and the body of Christ and its very good to ask yourself: do I really love the way I should be loving?  If you aren't, change; if you are, try to love more.  Like the birds in the picture, you will grow closer with others and to God as well.  Something to think about on a cold rainy Sunday...

Feb. 26 Exodus 7


Feb. 26
Exodus 7

Exo 7:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.
Exo 7:2 You shall speak all that I command you; and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exo 7:3 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Exo 7:4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, and I will lay my hand on Egypt, and bring forth my armies, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
Exo 7:5 The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I stretch forth my hand on Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them."
Exo 7:6 Moses and Aaron did so. As Yahweh commanded them, so they did.
Exo 7:7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Exo 7:8 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Exo 7:9 "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Perform a miracle!' then you shall tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.' "
Exo 7:10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Exo 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.
Exo 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
Exo 7:13 Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 7:14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is stubborn. He refuses to let the people go.
Exo 7:15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he goes out to the water; and you shall stand by the river's bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand.
Exo 7:16 You shall tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, "Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:" and behold, until now you haven't listened.
Exo 7:17 Thus says Yahweh, "In this you shall know that I am Yahweh. Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
Exo 7:18 The fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river." ' "
Exo 7:19 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.' "
Exo 7:20 Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
Exo 7:21 The fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians couldn't drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exo 7:22 The magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 7:23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart.
Exo 7:24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn't drink of the water of the river.
Exo 7:25 Seven days were fulfilled, after Yahweh had struck the river.

Feb. 26, 27 Mark 1


Feb. 26, 27
Mark 1

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!' "
Mar 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Mar 1:5 All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
Mar 1:6 John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
Mar 1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.
Mar 1:8 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."
Mar 1:9 It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mar 1:10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mar 1:11 A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Mar 1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.
Mar 1:14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News."
Mar 1:16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Mar 1:17 Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."
Mar 1:18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
Mar 1:19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
Mar 1:20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
Mar 1:21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.
Mar 1:22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
Mar 1:23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
Mar 1:24 saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!"
Mar 1:25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
Mar 1:26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
Mar 1:27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!"
Mar 1:28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
Mar 1:29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Mar 1:30 Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
Mar 1:31 He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
Mar 1:32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.
Mar 1:33 All the city was gathered together at the door.
Mar 1:34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn't allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Mar 1:35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.
Mar 1:36 Simon and those who were with him followed after him;
Mar 1:37 and they found him, and told him, "Everyone is looking for you."
Mar 1:38 He said to them, "Let's go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason."
Mar 1:39 He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.
Mar 1:40 A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."
Mar 1:41 Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I want to. Be made clean."
Mar 1:42 When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
Mar 1:43 He strictly warned him, and immediately sent him out,
Mar 1:44 and said to him, "See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."
Mar 1:45 But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places: and they came to him from everywhere.