YES!!!

Remember the old question: Is the glass half full or half empty?  Like so many things in this world, that question is based on the wrong premise; namely, that we know what we know and are right in our assumptions.  To me, this picture is a landmark.  I will never quite look at this topic the same way again.  The glass is always full (air + water)!!  But what about God's promises towards us?  Are they sometimes yes and other times no?  Here is what Paul has to say about it....

2 Corinthians, Chapter 1

20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen,” to the glory of God through us.

God's motives are not negative; if they were he would have destroyed this sinful world long ago.  However, he is patient and wants everyone who will be saved, to be saved.  Therefore, the world has hope and a future.  The next question is: will you continue to view the world in a negative way or God's way.  Fill up you life with God; you will never be empty again!!!!

Aug. 17 Job 5-8

Aug. 17

Job 5-8

Job 5:1 "Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

Job 5:2 For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.

Job 5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

Job 5:4 His children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,

Job 5:5 whose harvest the hungry eats up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.

Job 5:6 For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;

Job 5:7 but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Job 5:8 "But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God,

Job 5:9 who does great things that can't be fathomed, marvelous things without number;

Job 5:10 who gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields;

Job 5:11 so that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.

Job 5:12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can't perform their enterprise.

Job 5:13 He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

Job 5:14 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night.

Job 5:15 But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

Job 5:16 So the poor has hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.

Job 5:17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

Job 5:18 For he wounds, and binds up. He injures, and his hands make whole.

Job 5:19 He will deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you.

Job 5:20 In famine he will redeem you from death; in war, from the power of the sword.

Job 5:21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Job 5:22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, neither shall you be afraid of the animals of the earth.

Job 5:23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field. The animals of the field shall be at peace with you.

Job 5:24 You shall know that your tent is in peace. You shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing.

Job 5:25 You shall know also that your seed shall be great, Your offspring as the grass of the earth.

Job 5:26 You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.

Job 5:27 Look this, we have searched it, so it is. Hear it, and know it for your good."

Job 6:1 Then Job answered,

Job 6:2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

Job 6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

Job 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

Job 6:6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Job 6:7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

Job 6:8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

Job 6:9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Job 6:10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

Job 6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

Job 6:13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

Job 6:14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Job 6:15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

Job 6:16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

Job 6:17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

Job 6:18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

Job 6:19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Job 6:20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

Job 6:21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

Job 6:22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'

Job 6:23 or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

Job 6:24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Job 6:25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

Job 6:26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

Job 6:27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

Job 6:28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

Job 6:29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Job 6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?

Job 7:1 "Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?

Job 7:2 As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

Job 7:3 so am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

Job 7:4 When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.

Job 7:5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.

Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Job 7:7 Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.

Job 7:8 The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.

Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more.

Job 7:10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

Job 7:11 "Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 7:12 Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard over me?

Job 7:13 When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me. My couch shall ease my complaint;'

Job 7:14 then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:

Job 7:15 so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.

Job 7:16 I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

Job 7:17 What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,

Job 7:18 that you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?

Job 7:19 How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

Job 7:20 If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?

Job 7:21 Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."

Job 8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

Job 8:2 "How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

Job 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

Job 8:4 If your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.

Job 8:5 If you want to seek God diligently, make your supplication to the Almighty.

Job 8:6 If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

Job 8:7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

Job 8:8 "Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.

Job 8:9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)

Job 8:10 Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

Job 8:11 "Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

Job 8:12 While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.

Job 8:13 So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,

Job 8:14 Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.

Job 8:15 He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.

Job 8:16 He is green before the sun. His shoots go forth over his garden.

Job 8:17 His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.

Job 8:18 If he is destroyed from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.'

Job 8:19 Behold, this is the joy of his way: out of the earth, others shall spring.

Job 8:20 "Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

Job 8:21 He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

Job 8:22 Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more."

Aug. 17, 18 Acts 27

Aug. 17, 18

Acts 27

Act 27:1 When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

Act 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

Act 27:3 The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.

Act 27:4 Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Act 27:5 When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Act 27:6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on board.

Act 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.

Act 27:8 With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Act 27:9 When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them,

Act 27:10 and said to them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."

Act 27:11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.

Act 27:12 Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.

Act 27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.

Act 27:14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.

Act 27:15 When the ship was caught, and couldn't face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along.

Act 27:16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.

Act 27:17 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.

Act 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.

Act 27:19 On the third day, they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands.

Act 27:20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.

Act 27:21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

Act 27:22 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Act 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,

Act 27:24 saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'

Act 27:25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.

Act 27:26 But we must run aground on a certain island."

Act 27:27 But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.

Act 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.

Act 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight.

Act 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,

Act 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these stay in the ship, you can't be saved."

Act 27:32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.

Act 27:33 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.

Act 27:34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads."

Act 27:35 When he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to eat.

Act 27:36 Then they all cheered up, and they also took food.

Act 27:37 In all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship.

Act 27:38 When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Act 27:39 When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.

Act 27:40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

Act 27:41 But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.

Act 27:42 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.

Act 27:43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;

Act 27:44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS" Chapter One by Mark Copeland

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate why the Philippians were a source of great joy to Paul

2) To learn from Paul's attitude concerning persecution, death, and the
   purpose of life

SUMMARY

Paul begins his epistle with his customary salutation followed by an
expression of thanksgiving and prayer.  The church at Philippi had been
a source of great joy to Paul by virtue of their fellowship with him in
the proclamation of the gospel.  Confident that God will complete the 
work He began in them, Paul prays that their spiritual growth will 
continue (1-11).

His circumstances at Rome have actually been for the furtherance of the
gospel, despite imprisonment and opposition by false brethren.  He is 
confident that everything will turn out alright, and that he will even 
come to them again.  It is not without mixed feelings, however, for he 
is torn between a desire to be with Christ and a realization that to 
remain in the flesh is more needful for them (12-26).

At the moment, his desire is that whether absent or present he may hear
they are conducting themselves worthy of the gospel, by standing fast 
in one spirit and one mind for the gospel and not disturbed by any 
adversaries.  They should take comfort in knowing that, like Paul, they
have been granted the honor not only to believe in Christ, but also to 
suffer for His sake (27-30).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-11)

   A. SALUTATION (1-2)
      1. From Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ (1a)
      2. To the saints in Christ Jesus who in Philippi, with the 
         bishops and deacons (1b)
      3. Grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ (2)

   B. PAUL'S THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (3-11)
      1. His thanksgiving for them (3-8)
         a. That every thought, every request in their behalf, is one
            of joy (3-4)
         b. For their fellowship in the gospel from the very first day
            (5)
         c. He is confident that God will complete the work begun in
            them, for they have shared with him in his chains and the
            proclamation of the gospel (6-7)
         d. God is his witness to how much he longs for them with the
            love of Jesus (8)
      2. His prayer for them (9-11)
         a. That their love abound in knowledge and all discernment (9)
         b. That they approve the things that are excellent (10a)
         c. That they be sincere and without offense till Christ 
            returns (10b)
         d. That they be filled with the fruits of righteousness (11)
            1) Made possible by Jesus Christ (11a)
            2) To the glory and praise of God (11b)

II. THE SITUATION IN ROME (11-26)

   A. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT AND OPPOSITION (12-18)
      1. Imprisonment has actually created opportunities to spread the
         gospel (12-14)
         a. Things have turned out to the furtherance of the gospel, 
            for even among the palace guard it is evident his chains
            are in Christ (12-13)
         b. His example has emboldened others to speak without fear
            (14)
      2. Even opposition has provided opportunity for Christ to be
         preached (15-18)
         a. While some preach Christ out of love and good will, others
            do so with envy and strife, hoping to make things harder
            for Paul (15-17)
         b. Yet Paul rejoices that in every way Christ is preached (18)

   B. PAUL'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE (19-26)
      1. He knows all will turn out well for his salvation (19-20)
         a. Through their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit (19)
         b. He is confident that no matter what happens, Christ will be
            magnified (20)
      2. Whether he lives or dies, it will be a blessing (21-23)
         a. To live is Christ, to die is gain (21)
         b. To live will mean fruitful labor, but to depart and be with
            Christ will be far better for him personally (22-23)
      3. Knowing their need of him at the present, he is confident of
         coming to them once again (24-26)

III. EXHORTATION TO STAND FAST (27-30)

   A. STRIVE TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL (27)
      1. He pleads that their conduct be worthy of the gospel (27a)
      2. So that whether present or absent, he may hear that they are
         standing fast in one spirit, united in their efforts for the
         faith of the gospel (27b)

   B. DO NOT BE TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES (28-30)
      1. For such confidence is not a sign of perdition, but of 
         salvation from God (28)
      2. They have been granted not only to believe in Jesus, but also
         to suffer for Him even as he does (29-30)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-11)
   - The situation in Rome (12-26)
   - Exhortation to stand fast (27-30)

2) Who joins Paul in addressing this epistle?  To whom is it sent? (1)
   - Timothy
   - The saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi, with the bishops and 
     deacons

3) For what is Paul thankful concerning the Philippians? (5)
   - For their fellowship in the gospel

4) What is Paul confident of concerning the Philippians? (6)
   - That God will complete the work begun in them until the day of
     Jesus Christ

5) Upon what basis did Paul have this confidence concerning the
   Philippians? (7)
   - Their participiation with Paul in both his chains and in the 
     proclamation of the gospel

6) What four things did Paul pray for in behalf of the Philippians?
   (9-11)
   - That their love might abound in knowledge and discernment
   - That they might approve the things that are excellent
   - That they might be sincere and without offense till the day of
     Christ
   - That they might be filled with the fruits of righteousness which
     are by Jesus Christ

7) What was the effect of Paul's imprisonment? (12)
   - It actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel

8) What was Paul's attitude about those preaching Christ out of envy 
   and strife, trying to do him  harm? (15-18)
   - Christ was still being preached, and in that Paul rejoiced

9) What was Paul's earnest desire and expectation that he could do with
   all boldness? (20)
   - To magnify Christ in his body, whether by life or by death

10) What was Paul's attitude toward life and death? (21)
   - To live is Christ, and to die is gain

11) Between what two things was Paul hard pressed? (23-24)
   - A desire to depart and be with Christ
   - A realization that to remain in the flesh was more needful for
     them

12) What sort of conduct did Paul consider worthy of the gospel of
    Christ? (27)
   - Standing fast in one spirit, with one mind stringing together for
     the faith of the gospel

13) What had been granted to the Philippians on behalf of Christ? (29)
   - Not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake