7/13/12

To believe or not to believe... that is the real question!!!


Whether or not this is really a rainbow is for you to judge; but to me, it is!!!  Who says God's rainbows have to be limited to just a small line in the sky?  If God can make a rainbow in the first place, can HE not make a gigantic one?  So, the thought came to my mind:Is anything too hard for God?  Which is almost a direct quote from the first of the following two passages from the book of Genesis....

Genesis, Chapter 18
  1 Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.  2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood opposite him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,  3 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant.  4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.  5 I will get a morsel of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.”

They said, “Very well, do as you have said.”

  6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.”  7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it.  8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

  9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?”

He said, “See, in the tent.”

  10 He said, “I will certainly return to you when the season comes round. Behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.  11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.  12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

  13 Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child, yet I am old?’  14 Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round, and Sarah will have a son.”
  15 Then Sarah denied, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid.

He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Genesis, Chapter 21
 1 Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.  2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.  3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. 4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.  5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him.  6 Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”  7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

I have heard of women giving birth in their late sixties, but when they are 90 (Genesis 17:17)?  It is understandable why Sarah laughed, but sad in a way, because she doubted God.  Her doubt turned into laughter at the miracle of her son Isaac.  Whether it is a rainbow in the sky, a seeming impossible birth or the validity of the Word of God, nothing is impossible for God!!!  Believe it, live it.... you won't be one bit sorry!!!!

July 13 1 Chronicles 1-3


July 13
1 Chronicles 1-3

1Ch 1:1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,
1Ch 1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
1Ch 1:3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
1Ch 1:4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1Ch 1:5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
1Ch 1:6 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah.
1Ch 1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
1Ch 1:8 The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
1Ch 1:9 The sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raama, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba, and Dedan.
1Ch 1:10 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
1Ch 1:11 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
1Ch 1:12 and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines), and Caphtorim.
1Ch 1:13 Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
1Ch 1:14 and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,
1Ch 1:15 and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
1Ch 1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
1Ch 1:17 The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
1Ch 1:18 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
1Ch 1:19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
1Ch 1:20 Joktan became the father of Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
1Ch 1:21 and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
1Ch 1:22 and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
1Ch 1:23 and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
1Ch 1:24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
1Ch 1:25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,
1Ch 1:26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,
1Ch 1:27 Abram (the same is Abraham).
1Ch 1:28 The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael.
1Ch 1:29 These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
1Ch 1:30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
1Ch 1:31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
1Ch 1:32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.
1Ch 1:33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
1Ch 1:34 Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel.
1Ch 1:35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah.
1Ch 1:36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
1Ch 1:37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
1Ch 1:38 The sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan.
1Ch 1:39 The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister.
1Ch 1:40 The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah.
1Ch 1:41 The sons of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
1Ch 1:42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran.
1Ch 1:43 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before there resigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
1Ch 1:44 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:45 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:46 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
1Ch 1:47 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:48 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:49 Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
1Ch 1:50 Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
1Ch 1:51 Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
1Ch 1:52 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
1Ch 1:53 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
1Ch 1:54 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
1Ch 2:1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
1Ch 2:2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
1Ch 2:3 The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and he killed him.
1Ch 2:4 Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
1Ch 2:5 The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul.
1Ch 2:6 The sons of Zerah: Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara; five of them in all.
1Ch 2:7 The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing.
1Ch 2:8 The sons of Ethan: Azariah.
1Ch 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.
1Ch 2:10 Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
1Ch 2:11 and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz,
1Ch 2:12 and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;
1Ch 2:13 and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,
1Ch 2:14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
1Ch 2:15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;
1Ch 2:16 and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
1Ch 2:17 Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
1Ch 2:18 Caleb the son of Hezron became the father of children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
1Ch 2:19 Azubah died, and Caleb took to him Ephrath, who bore him Hur.
1Ch 2:20 Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.
1Ch 2:21 Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.
1Ch 2:22 Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
1Ch 2:23 Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.
1Ch 2:24 After that Hezron was dead in Caleb Ephrathah, then Abijah Hezron's wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.
1Ch 2:25 The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, Ahijah.
1Ch 2:26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
1Ch 2:27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.
1Ch 2:28 The sons of Onam were Shammai, and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab, and Abishur.
1Ch 2:29 The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail; and she bore him Ahban, and Molid.
1Ch 2:30 The sons of Nadab: Seled, and Appaim; but Seled died without children.
1Ch 2:31 The sons of Appaim: Ishi. The sons of Ishi: Sheshan. The sons of Sheshan: Ahlai.
1Ch 2:32 The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether, and Jonathan; and Jether died without children.
1Ch 2:33 The sons of Jonathan: Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.
1Ch 2:34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.
1Ch 2:35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife; and she bore him Attai.
1Ch 2:36 Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad,
1Ch 2:37 and Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed,
1Ch 2:38 and Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah,
1Ch 2:39 and Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah,
1Ch 2:40 and Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum,
1Ch 2:41 and Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama.
1Ch 2:42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
1Ch 2:43 The sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
1Ch 2:44 Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem became the father of Shammai.
1Ch 2:45 The son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.
1Ch 2:46 Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez.
1Ch 2:47 The sons of Jahdai: Regem, and Jothan, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
1Ch 2:48 Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.
1Ch 2:49 She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena, and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
1Ch 2:50 These were the sons of Caleb, the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,
1Ch 2:51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Beth Gader.
1Ch 2:52 Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim had sons: Haroeh, half of the Menuhoth.
1Ch 2:53 The families of Kiriath Jearim: The Ithrites, and the Puthites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
1Ch 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
1Ch 2:55 The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.
1Ch 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
1Ch 3:2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
1Ch 3:3 the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
1Ch 3:4 six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years;
1Ch 3:5 and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;
1Ch 3:6 and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
1Ch 3:7 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
1Ch 3:8 and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
1Ch 3:9 All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
1Ch 3:10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
1Ch 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
1Ch 3:12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
1Ch 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
1Ch 3:14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.
1Ch 3:15 The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
1Ch 3:16 The sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
1Ch 3:17 The sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son,
1Ch 3:18 and Malchiram, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
1Ch 3:19 The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel, and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister;
1Ch 3:20 and Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab Hesed, five.
1Ch 3:21 The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah, and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah.
1Ch 3:22 The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, and Igal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
1Ch 3:23 The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, and Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three.
1Ch 3:24 The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Eleven by Mark Copeland


                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Eleven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To ascertain if Paul's instructions concerning the veil were meant
   to be applied today, or if he was simply admonishing them to abide
   by what was a social custom of their day

2) To notice the purpose of the Lord's Supper and the manner in which
   it is to be observed

SUMMARY

Having spent three chapters discussing the issue of eating things
sacrificed to idols, Paul now quickly covers two separate matters in
this one chapter.  The first pertains to women praying and prophesying
with heads uncovered (2-16).  In view of what we are able to glean
about the society of Corinth, and from comments made by Paul in this
chapter and elsewhere, I believe that the problem Paul addresses is one
that was occurring out in public and not in the assembly.  Beginning in 
verse 17 and continuing through chapter 14, Paul covers issues 
affecting their assemblies as a church, the first being the manner in 
which they abused the observance of the Lord's Supper (17-34).

OUTLINE

I. WOMEN PRAYING AND PROPHESYING WITH HEADS UNCOVERED (2-16)

   A. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS (2-5a)
      1. Commendation for having kept the apostolic traditions
         delivered to them (2)
      2. A reminder concerning the proper line of authority (3)
      3. Concerning praying and prophesying (4-5a)
         a. Every man who does so with head covered dishonors his head
            (Christ)
         b. Every woman who does so with head uncovered dishonors her
            head (man)

   B. EXPLANATORY COMMENTS (5b-16)
      1. A woman praying or prophesying uncovered would make her appear
         as one shorn or shaved (5a)
         a. If a woman is not covered, let her be shorn (6a)
         b. If to be shorn or shaved is shameful, let her be covered
            (6b)
      2. It is proper for a man not to cover his head (7-9)
         a. Man is the image and glory of God, while woman is the glory
            of man (7)
         b. Man did not come from woman, nor was created for woman (8-9)
      3. It is appropriate for a woman to have a symbol of authority on
         her head, because of angels (10)
      4. This is not to say that man is independent of woman (11-12)
         a. Especially in the Lord (11)
         b. For as the woman is from the man, so the man is through the
            woman (12a)
         c. And all things are from God (12b)
      5. Judge this matter for yourselves (13-15)
         a. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with uncovered 
            head? (13)
         b. Does not even nature teach you? (14-15)
            1) That long hair on a man is a dishonor to him? (14)
            2) That long hair on a woman is a glory to her, and 
               provides a covering? (15)
      6. But if anyone is contentious about this matter... (16)
         a. We have no such custom (i.e., this is not an "apostolic
            tradition")
         b. Nor do the churches of God

II. CONCERNING THE LORD'S SUPPER (17-34)

   A. THE CONDUCT AT CORINTH IN REGARDS TO THE LORD'S SUPPER (17-22)
      1. He cannot praise them for their conduct in their assemblies
         (17-19)
         a. Their coming together is not for the better, but for the
            worse (17)
         b. He has heard of their divisions, of which the only good
            thing that could be said is that it does show who is really
            approved among them (18-19)
      2. Especially in regards to the Lord's Supper (20-22)
         a. Their divisiveness made it impossible to eat properly, and
            led to severe abuses (20-21)
         b. They despised the church and shamed the poor, for which 
            Paul could not praise them (22)

   B. THE INSTITUTION AND PROPER OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
      (23-34)
      1. The institution as received by Paul directly from the Lord
         (23-25)
      2. Properly observed, it is a proclamation of the Lord's death
         (26)
      3. Properly observed, it is accompanied by self-examination
         (27-32)
         a. Which enables us to observe it without bringing judgment to
            ourselves (27-29)
         b. Otherwise, we will be judged and chastened by the Lord,
            that we might not be condemned with the world (30-32)
      4. Concluding instructions (33-34)
         a. When you come together to eat the Supper, wait for one
            another (33)
         b. If you are hungry, eat at home (34a)
         c. Paul will have more to say when he comes to Corinth (34b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - Women Praying And Prophesying With Head Uncovered (2-16)
   - Concerning The Lord's Supper (17-34)

2) For what does Paul commend the church in Corinth? (2)
   - Remembering him and keeping the traditions as he delivered to them

3) What is the proper order of authority? (3)
   - God, Christ, Man, Woman

4) What evidence is there that Paul is discussing praying and
   prophesying out in public, and not in the assembly?
   - His commendation in verse 2 (they were keeping the apostolic
     traditions delivered to them)
   - His question in verse 13 (they would have answered "yes" if they
     were being asked concerning women in a religious assembly in
     Corinth; see The Expositors' Greek Testament)
   - His remarks in verses 17-18 (he at this point begins to address
     abuses in their assemblies)
   - His commandments in 14:34-37 (concerning women in the assembly)

5) What evidence is there that Paul is encouraging them to act in
   harmony with the customs of their day?
   - His comments in verses 5-6 (arguing on the basis of "IF it is
     shameful...")
   - His appeal to propriety in verse 13 ("is it proper...?")
   - His conclusion in verse 16 (this is not an "apostolic" or "church"
     custom)

6) How did Paul feel about eating common meals in the assemblies?
   (22, 34)
   - He did not approve, and strongly condemned those who did

7) What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? (24-26)
   - A memorial in which we proclaim the Lord's death

8) How should one observe the Lord's Supper? (27-29)
   - In a worthy manner
   - With self-examination
   - Discerning the Lord's body

9) How can we avoid the judgement of God? (31)
   - By judging ourselves

10) What is God's purpose in judging His children? (32)
   - To chasten, that we not be condemned with the world

11) What appears to be an important element in observing the Lord's
    Supper? (33; Acts 20:7)
   - That it be done "together"