3/23/12

The cost of a rainbow


A thing of beauty is a wonder to behold; it is the magnificence of the intelligence of the mind intertwined with the complex reality designed by the Almighty.  Considering the beauty of our surroundings is the mark of a cultured person; something we all should aspire to.  I enjoy watching "The Antiques Roadshow" on TV because quite often they have wonderful works of art and personal items such as exquisite jewelery.  However, there is great danger in longing for "things" because this can put a wrong emphasis on your life and lead to the overwhelming desire to be rich.  Even if a person should become "rich" it is a transitory condition.  Observation will tell you this is truth.  The more you have, the more it costs to keep it because everyone wants to take it from you.  If you "upgrade" to a bigger house or automobile, it costs more to maintain and automatically becomes a target for the criminal.  James puts it this way...

WEB: James Chapter 1

[9] But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; [10] and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. [11] For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.

True value lies in appreciating that which has enduring value.  We grow old and die; the things we possess will pass to others or eventually be discarded.  Yet, the Christian has eternity with God to look forward to.  Forever is a long, long time.  Focus on the Spiritual aspect of life, be as pure and holy as you can and get to know God through his word.  Rejoice in what God has done for you, because his gift of Jesus has put you in an exalted position.   Still feel like you are "missing something"?  Look at the rainbow above, isn't that one of the most beautiful things you have ever seen?  It is a promise of God and that will never change!!!  Now there is both beauty and worth in a single package and its free!!!!

Mar. 23 Leviticus 1, 2


Mar. 23
Leviticus 1, 2

Lev 1:1 Yahweh called to Moses, and spoke to him out of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
Lev 1:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When anyone of you offers an offering to Yahweh, you shall offer your offering of the livestock, from the herd and from the flock.
Lev 1:3 " 'If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Yahweh.
Lev 1:4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Lev 1:5 He shall kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, shall present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Lev 1:6 He shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into pieces.
Lev 1:7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order on the fire;
Lev 1:8 and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar;
Lev 1:9 but its innards and its legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall burn the whole on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 1:10 " 'If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep, or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male without blemish.
Lev 1:11 He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Lev 1:12 He shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat. The priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar,
Lev 1:13 but the innards and the legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 1:14 " 'If his offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall offer his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Lev 1:15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar;
Lev 1:16 and he shall take away its crop with its filth, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes.
Lev 1:17 He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.

Lev 2:1 " 'When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
Lev 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 2:3 That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a most holy thing of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
Lev 2:4 " 'When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
Lev 2:5 If your offering is a meal offering of the griddle, it shall be of unleavened fine flour, mixed with oil.
Lev 2:6 You shall cut it in pieces, and pour oil on it. It is a meal offering.
Lev 2:7 If your offering is a meal offering of the pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
Lev 2:8 You shall bring the meal offering that is made of these things to Yahweh: and it shall be presented to the priest, and he shall bring it to the altar.
Lev 2:9 The priest shall take from the meal offering its memorial, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 2:10 That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a thing most holy of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
Lev 2:11 " 'No meal offering, which you shall offer to Yahweh, shall be made with yeast; for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Lev 2:12 As an offering of firstfruits you shall offer them to Yahweh: but they shall not ascend for a pleasant aroma on the altar.
Lev 2:13 Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt; neither shall you allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
Lev 2:14 " 'If you offer a meal offering of first fruits to Yahweh, you shall offer for the meal offering of your first fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear.
Lev 2:15 You shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it: it is a meal offering.
Lev 2:16 The priest shall burn as its memorial, part of its bruised grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Mar. 23, 24 Mark 14


Mar. 23, 24
Mark 14

Mar 14:1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.
Mar 14:2 For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
Mar 14:3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard-very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.
Mar 14:4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
Mar 14:5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
Mar 14:7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.
Mar 14:8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Mar 14:9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."
Mar 14:10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.
Mar 14:11 They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.
Mar 14:12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Passover?"
Mar 14:13 He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,
Mar 14:14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" '
Mar 14:15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."
Mar 14:16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Mar 14:17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.
Mar 14:18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me-he who eats with me."
Mar 14:19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"
Mar 14:20 He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
Mar 14:21 For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
Mar 14:22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."
Mar 14:23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
Mar 14:24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
Mar 14:25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."
Mar 14:26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mar 14:27 Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
Mar 14:28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
Mar 14:29 But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."
Mar 14:30 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
Mar 14:31 But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.
Mar 14:32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray."
Mar 14:33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
Mar 14:34 He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."
Mar 14:35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
Mar 14:36 He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."
Mar 14:37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour?
Mar 14:38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mar 14:39 Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.
Mar 14:40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him.
Mar 14:41 He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mar 14:42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."
Mar 14:43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came-and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Mar 14:44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."
Mar 14:45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Mar 14:46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
Mar 14:47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Mar 14:48 Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
Mar 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."
Mar 14:50 They all left him, and fled.
Mar 14:51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,
Mar 14:52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Mar 14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
Mar 14:54 Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
Mar 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
Mar 14:56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other.
Mar 14:57 Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,
Mar 14:58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.' "
Mar 14:59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.
Mar 14:60 The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"
Mar 14:61 But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Mar 14:62 Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."
Mar 14:63 The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?
Mar 14:64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
Mar 14:65 Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
Mar 14:66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,
Mar 14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!"
Mar 14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
Mar 14:69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them."
Mar 14:70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."
Mar 14:71 But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!"
Mar 14:72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.

"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Chapter Twelve by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

                             Chapter Twelve

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To consider what further counsel the Preacher offers to the young

2) To note what happens to the spirit when the body dies

3) To hear the Preacher's conclusion after his search for the meaning of
   life "under the sun"

SUMMARY

The final chapter begins with a continuation of advice directed to the
young.  They are told to remember God in their youth, before difficult
days come in which there will be found little pleasure.  Such days are
described through a series of illustrations that depict the feebleness
of old age and eventual death.  When the inevitable happens, the body
will decay back to dust, and the spirit will return to God who gave it
(1-7).

The Preacher brings his "sermon" to a close by restating his theme: 
"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."  An epilogue is added that informs
the reader of the work the Preacher continued to do after concluding his
search for the meaning of life.  Because of his wisdom, he still taught
the people and sought to set in order many proverbs.  He sought to find
acceptable and upright words, words of truth.  Such words of the wise
and scholarly are described as goads and well-driven nails, given by one
Shepherd.  One is to be admonished by these words, yet be aware that
there is no end to the making of many books, and much study is wearisome
to the flesh (8-12).

Finally, we are told the "grand conclusion" of the whole matter.  The
Preacher ends his search for meaning by concluding that the whole
purpose for man's existence is to fear God and keep His commandments. 
That is because God will bring into judgment everything we have done
(13-14).

OUTLINE

I. ADVICE TO THE YOUNG (12:1-7)

   A. REMEMBER GOD IN YOUR YOUTH (1-2)
      1. Before the difficult days come
      2. Before the years come in which you find little pleasure
      3. While the sun, moon, and stars are not darkened
      4. While the clouds do not return after the rain

   B. REFLECT UPON WHAT IS COMING (3-7)
      1. The day is coming in which:
         a. The keepers of the house tremble (the arms weaken)
         b. The strong men bow down (the legs become frail)
         c. The grinders cease because they are few (the teeth fall out)
         d. Those that look through the windows grow dim (the eyes lose
            their sight)
         e. The doors are shut in the streets (the ears become hard of
            hearing)
         f. The sound of the grinding is low (the mouth and speech
            become unintelligible)
         g. When one rises up at the sound of a bird (the elderly easily
            awakened)
         h. And all the daughters of music are brought low (the voice no
            longer able to sing)
         i. They are afraid of height (the fear of falling)
         j. And of terrors in the way (no longer feeling invincible)
         k. When the almond tree blossoms (the wakefulness of old age
            setting in)
         l. The grasshopper is a burden (an old man, bowed like the
            insect, able to move only with some difficulty)
         m. And desire fails (fleshly desires wane)
         n. Man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the
            streets (death)
      2. Remember your Creator before:
         a. Before the silver cord (the spinal cord) is loosed
         b. The golden bowl (the skull) is broken
         c. The pitcher (the heart) shattered at the fountain
         d. The wheel (the pelvis) broken at the well
         -- Figures alluding to decay of the body
      3. When finally:
         a. The body returns to the dust
         b. The spirit returns to God who gave it

II. EPILOGUE AND CONCLUSION (12:8-14)

   A. THE EPILOGUE (8-12)
      1. The grand theme restated:  "Vanity of vanities, all is
         vanity..."
      2. The Preacher's ongoing work (because he was wise)
         a. He continued to teach others
         b. He pondered and sought to find many proverbs, upright words
            of truth
      3. The value of such words of truth
         a. The words of the wise are like goads
         b. The words of the scholars are like well-driven nails
         -- Such truth comes from One Shepherd
      4. It is good to be admonished by such words
         a. Though there is no end to the making of many books
         b. Though much study is wearisome to the flesh

   B. THE GRAND CONCLUSION (13-14)  
      1. The conclusion of the whole matter
         a. Fear God and keep His commandments
         b. This is man's all (the whole duty of man)
      2. For God will bring every work into judgment
         a. Every secret thing
         b. Whether good or evil

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Advice to the young (1-7)
   - Epilogue and conclusion (8-14)

2) What advice does the Preacher give to the young person? (1)
   - Remember God in the days of your youth
   - While things are going well, before the difficult days come

3) What thirteen illustrations are used to depict one growing old and
   feeble? (3-5)
   - The keepers of the house tremble (the arms weaken)
   - The strong men bow down (the legs become frail)
   - The grinders cease because they are few (the teeth fall out)
   - Those that look through the windows grow dim (the eyes lose their
     sight)
   - The doors are shut in the streets (the ears become hard of hearing)
   - The sound of the grinding is low (the mouth and speech become
     unintelligible)
   - When one rises up at the sound of a bird (the elderly easily
     awakened)
   - And all the daughters of music are brought low (the voice no longer
     able to sing)
   - They are afraid of height (the fear of falling)
   - And of terrors in the way (no longer feeling invincible)
   - When the almond tree blossoms (the wakefulness of old age setting
     in)
   - The grasshopper is a burden (an old man, bowed like the insect,
     able to move only with difficulty)
   - And desire fails (fleshly desires wane)

4) How is death depicted at the end of verse 5?
   - Man goes to his eternal home
   - Mourners to about the streets

5) What four illustrations are used to depict the decaying of the body?
   (6)
   - Before the silver cord (the spinal cord) is loosed
   - The golden bowl (the skull) is broken
   - The pitcher (the heart) shattered at the fountain
   - The wheel (the pelvis) broken at the well

6) What occurs at death as described in verse 7?
   - The dust returns to the earth as it was
   - The spirit returns to God who gave it

7) What is the recurring theme throughout this book, as restated in
   verse 8?
   - "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

8) What did the Preacher continue to do? (9-10)
   - He taught the people knowledge
   - He pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs
   - He sought to find acceptable and upright words, words of truth

9) What are the words of the wise and scholarly like? (11)
   - Goads and well-driven nails
   - Given by one Shepherd

10) What did the Preacher encourage his son? (12)
   - To be admonished by the words of wisdom and truth

11) Yet what two things should one keep in mind? (12)
   - There is no end to the making of many books
   - Much study is wearisome to the flesh

12) What does the Preacher offer as the conclusion to his search for
    meaning? (13)
   - Fear God and keep His commandments
   - This is the whole duty of man

13) Why is this his conclusion? (14)
   - For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret
     thing, wither good or evil