6/10/12

Seeking and finding...


I came across this picture today and it made me chuckle.  OK, it isn't a roll on the floor joke, but it is a LITTLE FUNNY!!  Then, I thought how we all are investigators; how we all search for something, one way or another.  We look for friends when we start school, we look for a mate, we are forever checking on our kids and we look forward to success in life and retirement.  Always looking; hopefully with success.  Then, as I turned my attention to the Scriptures, I straightway thought of this passage from Peter's first letter....

1st Peter, Chapter 1
 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,  5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,  7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory— 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.  12 To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

We may or may NOT succeed in life, who knows what our lives will turn out to be, but we do have the complete story spiritually.  We can read this passage and understand that many, many people didn't have the whole story, even angels. We do and all we have to do is follow the example of the first Christians.  Simple, just begin by earnestly seeking God, and reading HIS WORD, The Bible.  You will find the blessing you are looking for beginning with the passage from Peter's first letter and then going on to the book of Acts... Read the first couple of chapters, your search will be successful; IF you read with an open mind.  Any questions?  Drop me a line and I will help!!!

June 10 1 Samuel 13, 14


June 10
1 Samuel 13, 14

1Sa 13:1 Saul was forty years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
1Sa 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
1Sa 13:3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
1Sa 13:4 All Israel heard say that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
1Sa 13:5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.
1Sa 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits.
1Sa 13:7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
1Sa 13:8 He stayed seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
1Sa 13:9 Saul said, Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings. He offered the burnt offering.
1Sa 13:10 It came to pass that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.
1Sa 13:11 Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn't come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;
1Sa 13:12 therefore said I, Now will the Philistines come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven't entreated the favor of Yahweh: I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.
1Sa 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you: for now would Yahweh have established your kingdom on Israel forever.
1Sa 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue: Yahweh has sought him a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.
1Sa 13:15 Samuel arose, and got him up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.
1Sa 13:16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
1Sa 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;
1Sa 13:18 and another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
1Sa 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
1Sa 13:20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;
1Sa 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.
1Sa 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
1Sa 13:23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
1Sa 14:1 Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he didn't tell his father.
1Sa 14:2 Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people who were with him were about six hundred men;
1Sa 14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn't know that Jonathan was gone.
1Sa 14:4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
1Sa 14:5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
1Sa 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint to Yahweh to save by many or by few.
1Sa 14:7 His armor bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart: turn and, behold, I am with you according to your heart.
1Sa 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will disclose ourselves to them.
1Sa 14:9 If they say thus to us, Wait until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.
1Sa 14:10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up; for Yahweh has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign to us.
1Sa 14:11 Both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
1Sa 14:12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. Jonathan said to his armor bearer, Come up after me; for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel.
1Sa 14:13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him.
1Sa 14:14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.
1Sa 14:15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.
1Sa 14:16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went here and there.
1Sa 14:17 Then said Saul to the people who were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. When they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
1Sa 14:18 Saul said to Ahijah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.
1Sa 14:19 It happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.
1Sa 14:20 Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great confusion.
1Sa 14:21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp, from the country all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
1Sa 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
1Sa 14:23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth Aven.
1Sa 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food.
1Sa 14:25 All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.
1Sa 14:26 When the people were come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.
1Sa 14:27 But Jonathan didn't hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
1Sa 14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food this day. The people were faint.
1Sa 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
1Sa 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for now has there been no great slaughter among the Philistines.
1Sa 14:31 They struck of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;
1Sa 14:32 and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
1Sa 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Yahweh, in that they eat with the blood. He said, you have dealt treacherously: roll a great stone to me this day.
1Sa 14:34 Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don't sin against Yahweh in eating with the blood. All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.
1Sa 14:35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh: the same was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
1Sa 14:36 Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. They said, Do whatever seems good to you. Then said the priest, Let us draw near here to God.
1Sa 14:37 Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? will you deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he didn't answer him that day.
1Sa 14:38 Saul said, Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been this day.
1Sa 14:39 For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
1Sa 14:40 Then said he to all Israel, You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. The people said to Saul, Do what seems good to you.
1Sa 14:41 Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, Show the right. Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the people escaped.
1Sa 14:42 Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. Jonathan was taken.
1Sa 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.
1Sa 14:44 Saul said, God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.
1Sa 14:45 The people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn't die.
1Sa 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.
1Sa 14:47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and wherever he turned himself, he put them to the worse.
1Sa 14:48 He did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who despoiled them.
1Sa 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
1Sa 14:50 and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
1Sa 14:51 Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
1Sa 14:52 There was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twenty-Four by Mark Copeland


                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                          Chapter Twenty-Four

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To review the accusation of the Jews presented by Tertullus

2) To consider Paul's defense before Felix

3) To observe Felix's delay in rendering judgment of Paul

SUMMARY

The chief priest, elders and Tertullus, an orator, came from Jerusalem
to Caesarea to make accusations and to provide evidence against Paul.
Tertullus was an eloquent spokesman.  He began by giving Felix great
praise.  He said, "We enjoy great peace.  Prosperity is being brought to
this nation by your foresight.  We accept it...with all thankfulness."
Next, he levied the charges against Paul.  They found Paul to be a
"plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the
world."  They found him to be a "ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes" and he "tried to profane the temple."  Tertullus reviewed the
events at the temple.  The Jews had seized Paul.  They wanted to judge
him according to their law; however, the Roman commander, Lysias, took
Paul "with great violence" from them.  Lysias took Paul to Felix and
commanded the Jews to bring their accusations against Paul before him.
The attending Jews agreed with Tertullus.  (1-9)

Paul was then given opportunity to provide his defense before Felix.
Paul indicated that he was happy to speak for himself.  He recognized
Felix to have been a judge of the nation for many years.  Paul reviewed
the events as his defense to the Jewish accusations.  He had gone up to
Jerusalem to worship about twelve days prior.  The Jews did not find
Paul disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the
synagogue or in the city.  Paul stated that they could not prove these
accusations.  He confessed that he worshipped God "according to the Way"
- which they call a "sect."  He believed all the things written in the
Law and Prophets.  Paul stated that he had "hope in God," just as they
do, "that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
the unjust."  As a result, he strove to have a "conscience without
offense toward God and men."  Paul had returned to Jerusalem after many
years to bring alms and offerings to his nation.  This was the time when
some Jews from Asia (who had not come before Felix), found Paul
"purified in the temple," and "neither with a mob nor with tumult."  If
they had an accusation against Paul, they should have come before Felix
at this time.  Paul asked those Jews present if they had found any
wrongdoing in him, when he stood before the Sanhedrin council.  The only
statement that Paul thought they may have objected to was what he had
cried out among them, "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am
being judged by you this day." (10-21)

Given that Felix had a "more accurate knowledge of the Way," he
adjourned the proceedings.  He stated that he would make a decision on
the case when Lysias the commander came to Caesarea.  Paul was held by
the centurion, but was given liberties - his friends were allowed to
visit him and provide for him.  Later, Felix and his wife, Drusilla,
called for Paul.  Drusilla was Jewish.  They heard Paul "concerning
faith in Christ."  Paul reasoned before them about "righteous,
self-control, and the judgment to come."  This caused Felix to become
afraid.  He sent Paul away; he indicated he would call for him at a more
"convenient time."  Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul to release him.
Felix sent for him often.  After two years, Porcius Festus succeeded
Felix as governor.  Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, so
he "left Paul bound."  (22-27)

OUTLINE

I. THE ACCUSERS ARRIVED AND ACCUSATIONS WERE MADE (1-9)

   A. THE CHIEF PRIEST, ELDERS AND TERTULLUS ARRIVED IN CAESAREA (1)
      1. They came to provide evidence against Paul
      2. Tertullus was brought as an orator
      3. He was an eloquent spokesman

   B. TERTULLUS PRESENTED THE ACCUSATIONS (2-9)
      1. Tertullus began by giving great praise to Felix
         a. "We enjoy great peace"
         b. "Prosperity is being brought to this nation by your
            foresight"
         c. "We accept it...with all thankfulness"
      2. The charges were then levied against Paul
         a. They found Paul to be a "plague, a creator of dissension
            among all the Jews throughout the world"
         b. They found him to be a "ringleader of the sect of the
            Nazarenes"
         c. He "tried to profane the temple"
      3. Tertullus stated that the Roman commander, Lysias, took Paul
         with "great violence" from them
         a. The Jews had seized Paul
         b. They wanted to judge him according to their law
         c. The commander had taken Paul and had commanded them to
            appear before Felix to make their accusations
      4. The attending Jews agreed with Tertullus' accusations

II. PAUL GAVE HIS DEFENSE BEFORE FELIX (10-21)

   A. FELIX INDICATED FOR PAUL TO SPEAK (10)
      1. Paul stated that he would defend himself
      2. He recognized Felix to have been a judge of the nation for many
         years

   B. PAUL REVIEWED THE EVENTS AS HIS DEFENSE (11-21)
      1. Paul had gone up to Jerusalem to worship about twelve days
         prior
      2. They did not find Paul disputing with anyone nor inciting the
         crowd, either in the synagogue or in the city
      3. Paul stated that they could not prove these accusations
      4. He confessed that he worshipped God "according to the Way" -
         which they call a "sect"
      5. He believed all the things written in the Law and Prophets
      6. Paul stated that he had "hope in God," just as they do, "that
         there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
         the unjust"
         a. As a result, he strove to have a "conscience without offense
            toward God and men"
      7. Paul had returned to Jerusalem after many years to bring alms
         and offerings to his nation
         a. This was the time when some Jews from Asia (who had not come
            before Felix), found Paul "purified in the temple," and
            "neither with a mob nor with tumult"
         b. If they had an accusation against Paul, they should have
            come before Felix at this time
      8. Paul asked those Jews present if there had been found any
         wrongdoing in him while before the Sanhedrin council
         a. The only statement that Paul thought they may have objected
            to was what he had cried out among them, "Concerning the
            resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day."

III. FELIX DELAYED JUDGMENT OF PAUL (22-27)

   A. FELIX ADJOURNED THE PROCEEDINGS AND HELD PAUL (22-23)
      1. Given that Felix had a "more accurate knowledge of the Way," he
         adjourned the proceedings
      2. He stated that he would make a decision on the case when Lysias
         the commander came to Caesarea
      3. Paul was held by the centurion
         a. Paul was given liberties
         b. His friends were allowed to visit him and provide for him

   B. FELIX HEARD PAUL MORE TIMES (24-26)
      1. Felix and his wife, Drusilla, called for Paul
         a. Drusilla was Jewish
         b. They heard Paul "concerning faith in Christ"
      2. Paul reasoned before them about "righteous, self-control, and
         the judgment to come"
         a. Felix was afraid
         b. He sent Paul away; he indicated he would call for him at a
            more "convenient time"
      3. Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul to release him
         a. Felix sent for him often

   C. FESTUS SUCCEEDED FELIX (27)
      1. After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor
      2. Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, so he "left Paul bound"

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - The accusers arrived and the accusations were made (1-9)
   - Paul gave his defense before Felix (10-21)
   - Felix delayed the judgment of Paul (22-27)

2) How long was Paul held waiting for his accusers? (1)
   - Five days (1)

3) Who was Tertullus and what role did he play? (1-2)
   - Tertullus had travelled with the high priest and elders (1)
   - He was an orator; he presented the accusations before Felix (1-2)

4) How was Paul described in the charges by Tertullus? (4-6)
   - A plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews worldwide, and
     a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (5)
   - He tried to profane the temple (6)

5) How did the Jews want to handle this, according to Tertullus?  (6)
   - They wanted to judge him according to their law (6)

6) Why were the Jews not able to carry out their plan? (7)
   - Commander Lysias came by and took Paul with great violence (7)

7) What did Lysias command them to do? (8)
   - He commanded Paul's accusers to come before Felix (8)

8) How did the Jews react to Tertullus presentation? (9)
   - They assented, and maintained that those things were so (9)

9) How many days prior had Paul's situation occurred in Jerusalem? (11)
   - Twelve days earlier (11)

10) How did Paul answer their accusations? (12-13)
   - He had not been found in the temple disputing with anyone, nor was
     he found inciting the crowd (12)
   - Nor had they found him doing these things in synagogues or in the
     city (12)
   - Paul stated that they could not prove these accusations (13)

11) According to what did Paul say he worshipped God?  What did the Jews
    call this? (14)
   - According to the Way (14)
   - The Jews called it a sect; Tertullus specifically called it the
     sect of the Nazarenes (14; 5)

12) What did Paul say he had a hope in God to happen?  (15)
   - That there would be a resurrection of the dead (15)

13) Who did Paul say would be resurrected?  (15)
   - The dead - both the just and the unjust (15)

14) Because of the resurrection, what did Paul always strive to do? (16)
   - To have a conscience without offense toward God and men (16)

15) How did the Jews from Asia find Paul in the temple? (17-18)
   - They found Paul purified in the temple (18)
   - He was neither with a mob nor with a tumult (18)

16) Where did Paul say those Jews from Asia ought to have been if they
   had anything against him? (19)
   - They ought to have been there before Felix (19)

17) What statement did Paul cry out while before the Sanhedrin council
    in Jerusalem? (21)
   - "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you
     this day." (21)

18) Felix adjourned the proceedings.  When did he say he would decide
    the case? (22)
   - When Lysias the commander comes down (22)

19) When Felix commanded the centurion to keep Paul, what did he allow?
    (23)
   - The centurion was to all him liberty, and to allow his friends to
     visit him and provide for him (23)

20) Why did Felix and Drusilla send for Paul? (24)
   - They wanted to hear him concerning the faith in Christ (24)

21) What did Paul reason about before Felix and Drusilla? (25)
   - He reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to
     come (25)

22) How did Felix respond to Paul? (25)
   - He became afraid, and said "Go away for now, when I have a more
     convenient time, I will call for you." (25)

23) What did Felix hope Paul would do? (26)
   - He hoped Paul would bring money to release him (26)

24) Who succeeded Felix after two years? (27)
   - Porcius Festus succeeded Felix (27)

25) How did Felix leave Paul?  Why? (27)
   - Felix left Paul bound (27)
   - He did this as a favor to the Jews (27)