8/20/12

What kind of life will you choose?


Obviously, this is a political "joke"!  After I chuckled a bit, I thought of how sad it would be if a parent would actually say this to his son!!!  Christians (not the kind who just wear the name only) should be better than this; people of the highest moral practices. Paul puts it this way...

Titus, Chapter 2
 9 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;  10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.  11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,  12 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;  13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ;  14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

The longer I look at this picture, the less "funny" it becomes.  When sin is tolerated, it grows and corrupts, until good and evil are indistinguishable.  Be different, be faithful, be an example to all.  Even more than that, teach your children to be the same.  Honestly, I am beginning to HATE this election year; I wish it were just over and done with!!!  Both major parties are telling outright lies and misrepresentations of the facts, so its hard to believe anything that the news says!!!!

Aug. 20 Job 17-19


Aug. 20
Job 17-19

Job 17:1 "My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct, And the grave is ready for me.
Job 17:2 Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.
Job 17:3 "Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
Job 17:4 For you have hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore you shall not exalt them.
Job 17:5 He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
Job 17:6 "But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
Job 17:7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.
Job 17:8 Upright men shall be astonished at this. The innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
Job 17:9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.
Job 17:10 But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.
Job 17:11 My days are past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
Job 17:12 They change the night into day, saying 'The light is near' in the presence of darkness.
Job 17:13 If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness,
Job 17:14 If I have said to corruption, 'You are my father;' to the worm, 'My mother,' and 'my sister;'
Job 17:15 where then is my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
Job 17:16 Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?"
Job 18:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
Job 18:2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
Job 18:3 Why are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?
Job 18:4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?
Job 18:5 "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, The spark of his fire shall not shine.
Job 18:6 The light shall be dark in his tent. His lamp above him shall be put out.
Job 18:7 The steps of his strength shall be shortened. His own counsel shall cast him down.
Job 18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.
Job 18:9 A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.
Job 18:10 A noose is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the way.
Job 18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall chase him at his heels.
Job 18:12 His strength shall be famished. Calamity shall be ready at his side.
Job 18:13 The members of his body shall be devoured. The firstborn of death shall devour his members.
Job 18:14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusts. He shall be brought to the king of terrors.
Job 18:15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulfur shall be scattered on his habitation.
Job 18:16 His roots shall be dried up beneath. Above shall his branch be cut off.
Job 18:17 His memory shall perish from the earth. He shall have no name in the street.
Job 18:18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
Job 18:19 He shall have neither son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he sojourned.
Job 18:20 Those who come after shall be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.
Job 18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn't know God."
Job 19:1 Then Job answered,
Job 19:2 "How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?
Job 19:3 You have reproached me ten times. You aren't ashamed that you attack me.
Job 19:4 If it is true that I have erred, my error remains with myself.
Job 19:5 If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach;
Job 19:6 know now that God has subverted me, and has surrounded me with his net.
Job 19:7 "Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no justice.
Job 19:8 He has walled up my way so that I can't pass, and has set darkness in my paths.
Job 19:9 He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
Job 19:10 He has broken me down on every side, and I am gone. My hope he has plucked up like a tree.
Job 19:11 He has also kindled his wrath against me. He counts me among his adversaries.
Job 19:12 His troops come on together, build a siege ramp against me, and encamp around my tent.
Job 19:13 "He has put my brothers far from me. My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me.
Job 19:14 My relatives have gone away. My familiar friends have forgotten me.
Job 19:15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger. I am an alien in their sight.
Job 19:16 I call to my servant, and he gives me no answer. I beg him with my mouth.
Job 19:17 My breath is offensive to my wife. I am loathsome to the children of my own mother.
Job 19:18 Even young children despise me. If I arise, they speak against me.
Job 19:19 All my familiar friends abhor me. They whom I loved have turned against me.
Job 19:20 My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh. I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Job 19:21 "Have pity on me, have pity on me, you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.
Job 19:22 Why do you persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Job 19:23 "Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Job 19:24 That with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!
Job 19:25 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.
Job 19:26 After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see God,
Job 19:27 Whom I, even I, shall see on my side. My eyes shall see, and not as a stranger. "My heart is consumed within me.
Job 19:28 If you say, 'How we will persecute him!' because the root of the matter is found in me,
Job 19:29 be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment."

Aug. 20 Romans 1


Aug. 20
Romans 1

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,
Rom 1:2 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
Rom 1:3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
Rom 1:4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Rom 1:5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake;
Rom 1:6 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
Rom 1:7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,
Rom 1:10 requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
Rom 1:12 that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
Rom 1:13 Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Rom 1:19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
Rom 1:21 Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
Rom 1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
Rom 1:27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
Rom 1:28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
Rom 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
Rom 1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

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

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                              Chapter Four

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To notice Paul's tactfulness in dealing with Euodia and Syntyche

2) To glean Paul's secrets for joy, peace, contentment, and strength

3) To consider how Paul viewed the Philippians' generosity towards him

SUMMARY

This final chapter begins with a series of exhortations to unity, joy, 
and peace.  With great affection, Paul pleads with his beloved 
Philippians to stand fast in the Lord (1).  With great diplomacy and a
call for assistance from others, he implores Euodia and Syntyche to be 
of one mind in the Lord (3-4).  He then follows with a call for them
to rejoice always in the Lord, letting their gentleness be known to 
all, and through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to allow the
peace of God remove any anxiety (5-7).  His final exhortations include 
a call to meditate on things of virtue and worthy of praise, and to 
imitate his example in order to ensure that God will be with them 
(8-9).

At last he comes to the matter which occasioned this letter, expressing
joy and gratitude for the gift they had sent to him by way of
Epaphroditus.  As they had done before on several occasions, so now
they had provided for his necessities.  He is thankful, even though he
was quite content, for he knows that this gift really abounds to their
account, serving as a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is well pleasing to
God (10-19).

His closing remarks include praise to God, and greetings from those 
with him, especially members of Caesar's household.  As was his custom,
he closes with a final prayer that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 
be with them all (20-23).

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATIONS TO UNITY, JOY, AND PEACE (1-9)

   A. AN APPEAL TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE (1-3)
      1. Prefaced with an exhortation to stand fast in the Lord (1)
      2. A plea for Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the
         Lord (2)
      3. A request for assistance in helping these women (3)

   B. EXHORTATIONS TO REJOICE AND TO BE AT PEACE (4-9)
      1. Rejoice in the Lord always, letting your gentleness be known
         to all (4-5)
      2. Through prayer, allow the peace of God to guard your hearts
         from anxiety (6-7)
      3. Meditate upon things worthy of virtue and praise, and follow
         Paul's example (8-9)

II. THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY (10-23)

   A. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF JOY TO PAUL (10-14)
      1. Paul rejoiced when they were able to care for him again (10)
      2. Not that he really had need (11-13)
         a. For he had learned contentment (11-12)
         b. For he had the strength of Christ (13)
      3. But they have done well to share in his distress (14)
   
   B. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF BLESSING FOR THEMSELVES (15-19)
      1. A brief history of their giving to Paul (15-16)
      2. Their giving abounds to their own account, viewed as an 
         acceptable sacrifice to God (17-18)
      3. God will supply all their needs according to His riches (19)

   C. CONCLUDING REMARKS (20-23)
      1. Praise to God (20)
      2. Greetings from those with Paul, especially those of Caesar's 
         household (21-22)
      3. Final benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (23)
         
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortations to unity, joy, and peace (1-9)
   - Thanksgiving for their generosity (10-23)

2) How does Paul describe his brethren as he exhorts them to stand fast
   in the Lord? (1)
   - My beloved and longed-for brethren
   - My joy and crown

3) What two women does Paul implore to be of the same mind in the Lord?
   (2)
   - Euodia and Syntyche

4) What is said about these two women? (3)
   - They labored with Paul in the gospel
   - Their names were in the Book of Life

5) In what are we to rejoice always? (4)
   - In the Lord

6) Why are we to let our gentleness (or moderation) be known to all 
   men? (5)
   - The Lord is at hand

7) What is the antidote for anxiety? (6)
   - Letting our requests be made known to God with an attitude of 
     thanksgiving

8) What will the peace of God do in response to such thankful prayer?
   (7)
   - Guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

9) Upon what should one meditate? (8)
   - Whatever things are true
   - Whatever things are noble
   - Whatever things are just
   - Whatever things are pure
   - Whatever things are lovely
   - Whatever things are of good report
   - Anything of virtue, anything that is praiseworthy

10) How can one ensure that the God of peace will be them? (9)
   - Do the things learned, received, heard, and seen in Paul

11) What had served as a source of great joy for Paul? (10)
   - The Philippians' care for him flourishing again

12) What had Paul learned? (11-12)
   - To be content in whatever state he found himself

13) How was Paul able to do all things? (13)
   - Through Christ who strengthens him

14) When had the church at Philippi helped Paul before? (15-16)
   - When he departed from Macedonia
   - On at least two occasions when he was at Thessalonica

15) Why was Paul really pleased with their gift? (17)
   - He knew that it added to their account

16) How did Paul view the gift they had sent by way of Epaphroditus?
    (18)
   - A sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to
     God

17) Who would provide help for the Philippians? (19)
   - God, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus

18) Who in particular sent greetings to the Philippians by way of Paul?
    (22)
   - Those of Caesar's household

19) What was Paul's final prayer for his beloved Philippians? (23)
   - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
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