10/16/12

Better than butter...?


I don't know why I haven't seen this in the stores; perhaps I was just looking in the wrong places...  But, if it isn't currently available; it should be!!!!  People can come up with simple, yet wonderful ideas.  If mere humans can do this; what about God???

Isaiah, chapter 65
 17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  18 But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying.

The first creation is wonderful, but the second... marvelous.  In a world marred by humanities errors, looking forward to something better is simply wonderful beyond words!!!  It is wonderful to be a Christian... we have something to look forward to beyond the grave... something wonderful!!!!!!

Oct. 16 Proverbs 21-23


Oct. 16
Proverbs 21-23

Pro 21:1 The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
Pro 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
Pro 21:4 A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Pro 21:5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Pro 21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Pro 21:7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
Pro 21:8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
Pro 21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Pro 21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
Pro 21:11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Pro 21:12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
Pro 21:13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
Pro 21:14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
Pro 21:15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Pro 21:16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
Pro 21:17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
Pro 21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.
Pro 21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Pro 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
Pro 21:21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Pro 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
Pro 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Pro 21:24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
Pro 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Pro 21:26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don't withhold.
Pro 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
Pro 21:28 A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
Pro 21:29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
Pro 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
Pro 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
 

Pro 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
Pro 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
Pro 22:3 A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Pro 22:4 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.
Pro 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Pro 22:7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
Pro 22:8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
Pro 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
Pro 22:10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
Pro 22:11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.
Pro 22:12 The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
Pro 22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
Pro 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it.
Pro 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Pro 22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
Pro 22:17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
Pro 22:19 That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.
Pro 22:20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
Pro 22:22 Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don't crush the needy in court;
Pro 22:23 for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
Pro 22:24 Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger:
Pro 22:25 lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
Pro 22:26 Don't you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
Pro 22:27 If you don't have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
Pro 22:28 Don't move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
Pro 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.
 

Pro 23:1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;
Pro 23:2 put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.
Pro 23:3 Don't be desirous of his dainties, seeing they are deceitful food.
Pro 23:4 Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
Pro 23:5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
Pro 23:6 Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don't crave his delicacies:
Pro 23:7 for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Pro 23:8 The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your good words.
Pro 23:9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Pro 23:10 Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
Pro 23:11 for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.
Pro 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Pro 23:13 Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Pro 23:14 Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.
Pro 23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:
Pro 23:16 yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right.
Pro 23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.
Pro 23:18 Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.
Pro 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!
Pro 23:20 Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:
Pro 23:21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Pro 23:22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old.
Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
Pro 23:24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
Pro 23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!
Pro 23:26 My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
Pro 23:27 For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
Pro 23:28 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.
Pro 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Pro 23:30 Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
Pro 23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.
Pro 23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.
Pro 23:34 Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
Pro 23:35 "They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don't feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another."

Oct. 16 Philippians 1


Oct. 16
Philippians 1

Php 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
Php 1:2 Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Php 1:3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,
Php 1:4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
Php 1:5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Php 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Php 1:12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
Php 1:13 so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
Php 1:14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
Php 1:16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
Php 1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
Php 1:18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Php 1:22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.
Php 1:23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Php 1:24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
Php 1:25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Php 1:26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
Php 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
Php 1:28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
Php 1:29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
Php 1:30 having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.

1 peter, Introduction, Mark Copeland

                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR

The apostle Peter, as stated in the salutation (1:1).  Internal evidence
supports Peter as the author, for it was written by one who was "a
witness of the sufferings of Christ" (5:1).  Early sources in church
history that attribute this letter to Peter include Irenaeus (185 A.D.),
Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Eusebius
(300 A.D.).  Peter was assisted by Silvanus, also known as Silas (5:12),
a well-known prophet and missionary in the early church (cf. Ac 15:
32-34,40; 16:19-25; 17:14) who also joined with Paul in writing some of
his epistles (cf. 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1).

RECIPIENTS

Peter refers to the recipients of his letter as "pilgrims of the
Dispersion" (1:1).  The term "Dispersion" is found in Jn 7:35 and was
used to describe Israelites who had been "scattered" following the
Assyrian and Babylonian captivities (ca. 700-500 B.C.).  This leads many
to suppose that the epistle was written to Jewish Christians, as was the
case of James' epistle (cf. Jm 1:1).  However, there is indication some
of his readers were Gentile converts who had come to believe in God
through Jesus (cf. 1:21), and that Peter applies the term "dispersion"
to Christians in general, just as he applied other designations to the
church that were formerly applied to the nation of Israel (cf. 2:9-10).

Peter's initial audience were Christian "pilgrims" (cf. 2:11) who were
living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, provinces in
what is now Turkey.  Paul had traveled extensively in some of these
areas (Bithynia a notable exception, cf. Ac 16:7), so the gospel had
been given much opportunity to spread throughout the region.

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING

It is generally accepted that Peter died during the reign of Nero.
Since Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D., the epistle must be dated
before then.  A common view is the epistle was written on the eve of the
Neronian persecution (perhaps alluded to in 4:12-19), placing its
composition around 63-64 A.D.

Peter indicates he wrote from "Babylon" (5:13).  It is questionable
whether he refers to literal Babylon, or is using the name as a code
word for Rome or perhaps even Jerusalem.  Barnes, Lightfoot, and JFB
(Jaimeson, Faussett, Brown) argue that literal Babylon is meant. Others
(such as Kistemaker) point out that Mark (cf. 5:13) had been in Rome
with Paul during his first (Col 4:10) and second (2Ti 4:11)
imprisonment, and that Peter is linked to Rome by such writers as Papias
(125 A.D.) and Irenaeus (185 A.D.).  While possibly Rome (or even
Jerusalem), I am content to say the epistle was written from Babylon
(letting others debate whether it was literal Babylon or not).

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE

It is apparent from the epistle that Christians in Asia Minor had
experienced persecution (1:6), and more suffering was on the way
(4:12-19).  Throughout the epistle Peter encourages them to remain
steadfast (1:13; 4:16; 5:8,9).  He reminds them of their blessings and
duties that are incumbent upon them as God's "elect" (1:2), "His own
special people" (2:9).  Therefore, Peter writes:

   * To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (5:10)

   * To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation"
     (2:9)

   * To instruct them as to their proper conduct (2:11-12)

THEME OF THE EPISTLE

The epistle is filled with practical admonitions concerning their
conduct, especially as sojourners in a hostile land.  They are told how
to behave in the midst of those who speak evil of them, who abuse them,
who do not believe their message, simply because they are Christians.
An appropriate theme for this epistle might therefore be:

                  "CONDUCT BECOMING THE PEOPLE OF GOD"

KEY VERSES:  1 Peter 2:11-12

   "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly
   lusts which war against the soul,  having your conduct honorable
   among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers,
   they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the
   day of visitation."

OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)
   1. From Peter, an apostle of Christ (1:1a)
   2. To pilgrims of the Dispersion, God's elect (1:1b-2)

I. OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST (1:3-12)

   A. BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE (1:3-5)

   B. PRODUCING JOY IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING (1:6-9)

   C. SERVED BY PROPHETS AND APOSTLES (1:10-12)

II. OUR DUTIES IN CHRIST (1:13-5:11)

   A. IN VIEW OF OUR PRIVILEGES (1:13-2:10)
      1. A call to holiness (1:13-21)
      2. A call to brotherly love (1:22-25)
      3. A call to spiritual growth (2:1-10)

   B. IN VIEW OF OUR POSITION (2:11-4:11)
      1. As sojourners (2:11-12)
      2. As citizens (2:13-17)
      3. As servants (2:18-25)
      4. As wives and husbands (3:1-7)
      5. As brethren (3:8-12)
      6. As sufferers for righteousness' sake (3:13-4:6)
      7. As those awaiting the coming of Christ (4:7-11)

   C. IN VIEW OF OUR PERSECUTION (4:12-5:11)
      1. To rejoice and glorify God (4:12-17)
      2. To trust in the will of God (4:18-19)
      3. To fulfill our special roles (5:1-5)
         a. The elders' duties as shepherds
         b. The youngers' duties as the flock
      4. To humble ourselves before God (5:6-7)
      5. To resist the devil (5:8-9)

CONCLUSION (5:10-14)
   1. A prayer for God's blessing (5:10-11)
   2. Final greetings and bestowal of peace (5:12-14)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) To whom was this first epistle of Peter written?  (1:1)
   - To pilgrims of the Dispersion
   - Living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

2) What internal evidence suggests these "pilgrims" may have included
   Gentile Christians? (1:21)
   - They had come to believe in God through Jesus

3) What country today makes up the region where these Christians lived?
   - Turkey

4) Who assisted Peter in this epistle?  What other name is this person
   called? (5:12)
   - Silvanus; Silas

5) When was this epistle possibly written?
   - 63-64 A.D.

6) Where was Peter when he wrote this epistle? (5:13)
   - Babylon

7) What other places might this city symbolize?
   - Rome, or possibly Jerusalem

8) What threefold purpose did Peter have in writing this epistle?
   - To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (5:10)
   - To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation"
     (2:9)
   - To instruct them as to their proper conduct (2:11-12)

9) What is suggested as the theme of this epistle?
   - Conduct becoming the people of God

10) What is suggested as the key verses in this epistle?
   - 1Pe 2:11-12

11) According to the outline offered above, what are two main
    divisions of this epistle?
   - Our salvation in Christ
   - Our duties in Christ