New Bible Reflections

Who needs milk?

2012-02-13T10:52:00.000-05:00

Somebody like Oreo cookies! All she needs now is the milk! Have you ever felt the way she does about something? It really doesn't have to be food; it could be baseball or knitting or reading or perhaps the love of your life. You just couldn't spend enough time, money and effort in getting your heart's desire. But what if you had messed up? You dropped the ball in the outfield or hurt your love so badly that you don't even speak any more? Suppose you had a second chance to make things right? What would you do? Here is what the Corinthians did in response to Paul's rebuke in his first letter to them...

WEB: II Corinthians 7:11. For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

Anybody can talk about changing their life; I would bet that there are more than a few of us who have already forgotten our "New Year's Resolutions"!!! But the Corinthians changed their ways; they did something about how they lived and according to this passage they did it in a big way!!! Reality is that if you really want something, you will do almost anything to get it; milk is optional!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/12/12

2012-02-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

Feb. 13

Genesis 44

Gen 44:1 He commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

Gen 44:2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, with his grain money." He did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

Gen 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

Gen 44:4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?

Gen 44:5 Isn't this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.' "

Gen 44:6 He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.

Gen 44:7 They said to him, "Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!

Gen 44:8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord's house?

Gen 44:9 With whoever of your servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondservants."

Gen 44:10 He said, "Now also let it be according to your words: he with whom it is found will be my bondservant; and you will be blameless."

Gen 44:11 Then they hurried, and every man took his sack down to the ground, and every man opened his sack.

Gen 44:12 He searched, beginning with the eldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Gen 44:13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and returned to the city.

Gen 44:14 Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him.

Gen 44:15 Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Don't you know that such a man as I can indeed divine?"

Gen 44:16 Judah said, "What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? Or how will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord's bondservants, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found."

Gen 44:17 He said, "Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my bondservant; but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

Gen 44:18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, "Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and don't let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh.

Gen 44:19 My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father, or a brother?'

Gen 44:20 We said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.'

Gen 44:21 You said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.'

Gen 44:22 We said to my lord, 'The boy can't leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'

Gen 44:23 You said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.'

Gen 44:24 It happened when we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

Gen 44:25 Our father said, 'Go again, buy us a little food.'

Gen 44:26 We said, 'We can't go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man's face, unless our youngest brother is with us.'

Gen 44:27 Your servant, my father, said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons:

Gen 44:28 and the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces;" and I haven't seen him since.

Gen 44:29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.'

Gen 44:30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the boy's life;

Gen 44:31 it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol.

Gen 44:32 For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, 'If I don't bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.'

Gen 44:33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, a bondservant to my lord; and let the boy go up with his brothers.

Gen 44:34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn't with me?--lest I see the evil that will come on my father."

Daily Bible Reading 2 by Mark Copeland

2012-02-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/dbr2.htm

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to read your Bible daily.... Gary

Maniac!! ??

2012-02-12T15:12:00.000-05:00

I like this cartoon! It says a great deal about life; especially how we view others! People do things in different ways; some fast, some slow. Learning to appreciate those around us is something we hopefully learn to cultivate as we grow. If this applies to all of us, how much more for the body of Christ. In the world, loving our fellow human beings happens sometimes, but it is NOT THE NORM! If it were, crime and warfare as we know it would cease. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen anytime soon, BUT for those who call themselves Christians, it SHOULD BE THE NORMAL WAY OF LIVING!!! Part of the Christian lifestyle is loving those we don't fully understand, because Christ has loved us. The following passage from the book of first Corinthians gives us a glimpse into the Christian life....

WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 12

[12] For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. [16] If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. [19] If they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now they are many members, but one body. [21] The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; [24] whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, [25] that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Paul shows the reality of Christianity; we are all striving to appreciate and love those who are are our fellow Christians. The recipients of this letter were Christians who were having problems with maturity in Christ. They just didn't get it at first. Later, they did, but not without problems. Isn't that the way it is with most of us? It takes us awhile to appreciate others and even longer to love them. Beyond the reality of the situation, Paul is leading up to a cure for their problem, which he discusses in chapter thirteen of this letter. LOVE IS THE ANSWER! Paul says:

World English Bible: I Corinthians Chapter 13

[1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

Don't worry so much about what the other fellow is doing; how fast they may be growing in their Christianity... Concentrate on loving others and being understanding. Then it really won't matter what others do; you will be going at just the right speed, whether you are a snail, a turtle or maybe even a jack rabbit....

OT Bible Reading 2/12/12

2012-02-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

Feb. 12

Genesis 43

Gen 43:1 The famine was severe in the land.

Gen 43:2 It happened, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little more food."

Gen 43:3 Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.'

Gen 43:4 If you'll send our brother with us, we'll go down and buy you food,

Gen 43:5 but if you'll not send him, we'll not go down, for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.' "

Gen 43:6 Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?"

Gen 43:7 They said, "The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?' "

Gen 43:8 Judah said to Israel, his father, "Send the boy with me, and we'll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones.

Gen 43:9 I'll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don't bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever,

Gen 43:10 for if we hadn't delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now."

Gen 43:11 Their father, Israel, said to them, "If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;

Gen 43:12 and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.

Gen 43:13 Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man.

Gen 43:14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."

Gen 43:15 The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Gen 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and make ready; for the men will dine with me at noon."

Gen 43:17 The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph's house.

Gen 43:18 The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, "Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, we're brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys."

Gen 43:19 They came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,

Gen 43:20 and said, "Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.

Gen 43:21 When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand.

Gen 43:22 We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don't know who put our money in our sacks."

Gen 43:23 He said, "Peace be to you. Don't be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money." He brought Simeon out to them.

Gen 43:24 The man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.

Gen 43:25 They made ready the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Gen 43:26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to him to the earth.

Gen 43:27 He asked them of their welfare, and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?"

Gen 43:28 They said, "Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive." They bowed the head, and did homage.

Gen 43:29 He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?" He said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Gen 43:30 Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.

Gen 43:31 He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, "Serve the meal."

Gen 43:32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians, that ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians don't eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

Gen 43:33 They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled one with another.

Gen 43:34 He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.

NT Bible Reading 2/12/12 & 2/13/12

2012-02-12T14:16:00.000-05:00

Feb. 12, 13

Matthew 22

Mat 22:1 Jesus answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying,

Mat 22:2 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,

Mat 22:3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come.

Mat 22:4 Again he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "Behold, I have made ready my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!" '

Mat 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,

Mat 22:6 and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.

Mat 22:7 When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Mat 22:8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren't worthy.

Mat 22:9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.'

Mat 22:10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.

Mat 22:11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn't have on wedding clothing,

Mat 22:12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?' He was speechless.

Mat 22:13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.'

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen."

Mat 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.

Mat 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter who you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone.

Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

Mat 22:19 Show me the tax money." They brought to him a denarius.

Mat 22:20 He asked them, "Whose is this image and inscription?"

Mat 22:21 They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Mat 22:22 When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away.

Mat 22:23 On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,

Mat 22:24 saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.'

Mat 22:25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother.

Mat 22:26 In like manner the second also, and the third, to the seventh.

Mat 22:27 After them all, the woman died.

Mat 22:28 In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her."

Mat 22:29 But Jesus answered them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven.

Mat 22:31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,

Mat 22:32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

Mat 22:33 When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Mat 22:34 But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.

Mat 22:35 One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.

Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Mat 22:40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Mat 22:41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,

Mat 22:42 saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "Of David."

Mat 22:43 He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

Mat 22:44 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?'

Mat 22:45 "If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"

Mat 22:46 No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forth.

Daily Bible Reading 1 by Mark Copeland

2012-02-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/dbr1.htm

An essential for everyone... Gary

Ginger Rodgers she is NOT!!!

2012-02-11T15:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had someone say to you: "Lets go out and get drunk?!!! The next morning they won't say it, that is for SURE!!! In my early twenties I got drunk many times over about a two year period, but one day I woke up in my own vomit (disgusting, I know) and came to my senses. God was working on me and it was the Bible that set me straight by its teachings on how to live. For me, it was time to wake up and face reality. The stupid things you do when you drink are almost beyond believable!!! Think you are having "fun"; think again!!! Don't believe me? Believe your hangover, hurt spouse, family and friends!!! Booze will kill you, destroy everything you hold dear and wreck you life!! Listen to what just one passage from the Bible says about this...

WEB: Proverbs Chapter 23

[29] Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has strife?
Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises?
Who has bloodshot eyes?

[30] Those who stay long at the wine;
those who go to seek out mixed wine.

[31] Don’t look at the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly.

[32] In the end, it bites like a snake,
and poisons like a viper.

[33] Your eyes will see strange things,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.

The "lady" in the picture thinks she is wonderful when drunk, but, OH HOW WRONG SHE IS!!!! Booze will deceive you into thinking you are OK when you are not and warp your senses. How many of your family, friends and acquaintances have had problems with Alcohol? How many people have been killed on the road as a result of drinking and driving? Don't drink; not at all, not one sip.... ever!!! You probably are not a Fred Astaire or a Ginger Rodgers (or their present day equivalents) and never will be. Face reality and don't drink, you will be glad you don't. If you drink; quit now and never ever take another one!!! You just may save your life or someone else's!!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/11/12

2012-02-11T14:15:00.002-05:00

Feb. 11

Genesis 42

Gen 42:1 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"

Gen 42:2 He said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die."

Gen 42:3 Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Gen 42:4 But Jacob didn't send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers; for he said, "Lest perhaps harm happen to him."

Gen 42:5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Gen 42:6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.

Gen 42:7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, "Where did you come from?" They said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food."

Gen 42:8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him.

Gen 42:9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land."

Gen 42:10 They said to him, "No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.

Gen 42:11 We are all one man's sons; we are honest men. Your servants are not spies."

Gen 42:12 He said to them, "No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land."

Gen 42:13 They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more."

Gen 42:14 Joseph said to them, "It is like I told you, saying, 'You are spies.'

Gen 42:15 By this you shall be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go forth from here, unless your youngest brother comes here.

Gen 42:16 Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies."

Gen 42:17 He put them all together into custody for three days.

Gen 42:18 Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this, and live, for I fear God.

Gen 42:19 If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses.

Gen 42:20 Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won't die." They did so.

Gen 42:21 They said one to another, "We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn't listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us."

Gen 42:22 Reuben answered them, saying, "Didn't I tell you, saying, 'Don't sin against the child,' and you wouldn't listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required."

Gen 42:23 They didn't know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

Gen 42:24 He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes.

Gen 42:25 Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them food for the way. So it was done to them.

Gen 42:26 They loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed from there.

Gen 42:27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.

Gen 42:28 He said to his brothers, "My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!" Their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling one to another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"

Gen 42:29 They came to Jacob their father, to the land of Canaan, and told him all that had happened to them, saying,

Gen 42:30 "The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country.

Gen 42:31 We said to him, 'We are honest men. We are no spies.

Gen 42:32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.'

Gen 42:33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way.

Gen 42:34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.' "

Gen 42:35 It happened as they emptied their sacks, that behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.

Gen 42:36 Jacob, their father, said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin away. All these things are against me."

Gen 42:37 Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "Kill my two sons, if I don't bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again."

Gen 42:38 He said, "My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol."

Creamation or burial by Mark Copeland

2012-02-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/cremate.htm

something to think about... Gary

Oh, to be a kid again!

2012-02-10T11:06:00.000-05:00

Big wheels again? Why not? Life is meant to be fun!!! Never mind that his bicycle light shines a little too high to be of any use or that just getting on to the seat appears to be a challenge. This "out of his teens" man is having fun. He has the biggest front tire I have ever seen on a bike and the only tandem rear wheels (however small) as well. That he pedals it is retro and his bulb horn is nostalgic!!!

So, enjoy, because life is short!!!...

WEB: Ecclesiastes 11:9. Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart,
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Life can be very wonderful for the young (and young in heart)!!! The world is open to possibilities for those with the right "attitude". But, remember that you are not invincible, nor are you young forever. Remember that what you do now will have consequences later. If not in 40 or 50 or 60 years, then certainly when you leave this world and face the judgment. Remember God, but live, enjoy and be happy!!! Only be careful; its dangerous out there!!! And OH, yes, please put a set of directionals on your bike... you never know when someone may not see you!!! Ha, Ha!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/10/12

2012-02-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

Feb. 10

Genesis 41

Gen 41:1 It happened at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river.

Gen 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.

Gen 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river.

Gen 41:4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.

Gen 41:5 He slept and dreamed a second time: and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good.

Gen 41:6 Behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.

Gen 41:7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

Gen 41:8 It happened in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt's magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

Gen 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, "I remember my faults today.

Gen 41:10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker.

Gen 41:11 We dreamed a dream in one night, I and he. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

Gen 41:12 There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. To each man according to his dream he interpreted.

Gen 41:13 It happened, as he interpreted to us, so it was: he restored me to my office, and he hanged him."

Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came in to Pharaoh.

Gen 41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

Gen 41:16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It isn't in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Gen 41:17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, "In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river:

Gen 41:18 and behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, fat and sleek. They fed in the marsh grass,

Gen 41:19 and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ugliness.

Gen 41:20 The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle,

Gen 41:21 and when they had eaten them up, it couldn't be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

Gen 41:22 I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good:

Gen 41:23 and behold, seven heads of grain, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.

Gen 41:24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."

Gen 41:25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.

Gen 41:26 The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one.

Gen 41:27 The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine.

Gen 41:28 That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What God is about to do he has shown to Pharaoh.

Gen 41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:30 There will arise after them seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land,

Gen 41:31 and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous.

Gen 41:32 The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Gen 41:33 "Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt's produce in the seven plenteous years.

Gen 41:35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.

Gen 41:36 The food will be for a store to the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; that the land not perish through the famine."

Gen 41:37 The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

Gen 41:38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?"

Gen 41:39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Because God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you.

Gen 41:40 You shall be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you."

Gen 41:41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

Gen 41:42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck,

Gen 41:43 and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, "Bow the knee!" He set him over all the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt."

Gen 41:45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:47 In the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth abundantly.

Gen 41:48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was around every city, he laid up in the same.

Gen 41:49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.

Gen 41:50 To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.

Gen 41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house."

Gen 41:52 The name of the second, he called Ephraim: "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Gen 41:53 The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end.

Gen 41:54 The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

Gen 41:55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."

Gen 41:56 The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:57 All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

NT Bible Reading 2/10/12 & 2/11/12

2012-02-10T10:39:00.000-05:00

Feb. 10, 11

Matthew 21

Mat 21:1 When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Mat 21:2 saying to them, "Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me.

Mat 21:3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and immediately he will send them."

Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

Mat 21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Mat 21:6 The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them,

Mat 21:7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.

Mat 21:8 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road.

Mat 21:9 The multitudes who went before him, and who followed kept shouting, "Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mat 21:10 When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?"

Mat 21:11 The multitudes said, "This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."

Mat 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.

Mat 21:13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers!"

Mat 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

Mat 21:15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the son of David!" they were indignant,

Mat 21:16 and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?' "

Mat 21:17 He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

Mat 21:18 Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.

Mat 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, "Let there be no fruit from you forever!" Immediately the fig tree withered away.

Mat 21:20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?"

Mat 21:21 Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done.

Mat 21:22 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Mat 21:23 When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

Mat 21:24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

Mat 21:26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet."

Mat 21:27 They answered Jesus, and said, "We don't know." He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mat 21:28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work today in my vineyard.'

Mat 21:29 He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind, and went.

Mat 21:30 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, 'I go, sir,' but he didn't go.

Mat 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you.

Mat 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn't even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

Mat 21:33 "Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country.

Mat 21:34 When the season for the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his fruit.

Mat 21:35 The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.

Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way.

Mat 21:37 But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

Mat 21:38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.'

Mat 21:39 So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

Mat 21:40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?"

Mat 21:41 They told him, "He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season."

Mat 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?'

Mat 21:43 "Therefore I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit.

Mat 21:44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust."

Mat 21:45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.

Mat 21:46 When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.

The Conversion of Saul by Mark Copeland

2012-02-10T10:37:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/saulconv.htm

One of the most notable events in history.... Gary

Good food... for a change

2012-02-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

This looks like an actual location; I just wonder where it could be? Anyway, whoever put this sign up needs to rethink their sales strategy. If they serve good food now, what did they serve before this; bad food, terrible food, old food or how about disgusting food? I think they mean that they have improved their menu; they have changed for the better!!! Humm, that is something like what repentance means; a change (for the better)....

WEB: Acts Chapter 19

[11] God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out. [13] But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” [14] There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.

[15] The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” [16] The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. [17] This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. [18] Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. [19] Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20] So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

God worked mightily through Paul and so, naturally, there were imitators. But, their imitation proved less than successful. This only attested to the genuineness of what God did through Paul and it had a profound effect. People changed. They repented of the things they had done and did away with their magic books and even now fifty thousand pieces of silver sounds like a lot of money. And God was glorified!!! On second thought, I really do like the sign, because it says that people can still change and says it publicly!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/9/12

2012-02-09T12:12:00.002-05:00

Feb. 9

Genesis 40

Gen 40:1 It happened after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt.

Gen 40:2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

Gen 40:3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Gen 40:4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.

Gen 40:5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.

Gen 40:6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.

Gen 40:7 He asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"

Gen 40:8 They said to him, "We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me."

Gen 40:9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,

Gen 40:10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes.

Gen 40:11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand."

Gen 40:12 Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.

Gen 40:13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer.

Gen 40:14 But remember me when it will be well with you, and show kindness, please, to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.

Gen 40:15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon."

Gen 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head.

Gen 40:17 In the uppermost basket there was all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."

Gen 40:18 Joseph answered, "This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days.

Gen 40:19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you."

Gen 40:20 It happened the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Gen 40:21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand;

Gen 40:22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Gen 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Commanded to love by Mark Copeland

2012-02-09T12:10:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/commlove.htm

more than just a feeling; a command... Gary

Big Boy: 2012

2012-02-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

Here we go again! A "new BIG WHEEL"!!! But, is it? Let me see... there is a boy, a small wheel, a big wheel in the back, a place to sit and then something new (which is at the same time something old)... a bell on the handlebar!!! I wish they had this little pleasure vehicle instead of that all plastic one I remember. The one that made all the noise on the gravel as it went UP AND DOWN, THEN UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN the little hill in front of our house in Valley Falls. The one that kept me up all day, when I should have been sleeping (I worked midnight to 8 in the morning). But, honestly, this is a big improvement! This looks great and far more comfortable that the one I remember. But, it is STILL A BOB'S BIG BOY TOY TO ME. Nothing really changes, a toy is still a toy, no matter what it looks like. Solomon put it this way...

WEB: Ecclesiastes 1:9. That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

We have more technology, better tools, clever marketing and sexy models to sell it all, but basically a toy is still a toy. Kids grow out of them like last year's shoes. The barrage of "things" to buy is ever greater with each passing year, but generically nothing changes, even though it may appear different. I am glad God doesn't change; that I can always count on him to be there and do the right thing!

All this being said; the new "big wheel" is a beautiful thing! I wonder, does God have toys....?

OT Bible Reading 2/8/12

2012-02-08T08:48:00.002-05:00

Feb. 8

Genesis 39

Gen 39:1 Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there.

Gen 39:2 Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Gen 39:3 His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand.

Gen 39:4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Gen 39:5 It happened from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahweh was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.

Gen 39:6 He left all that he had in Joseph's hand. He didn't concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome.

Gen 39:7 It happened after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph; and she said, "Lie with me."

Gen 39:8 But he refused, and said to his master's wife, "Behold, my master doesn't know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand.

Gen 39:9 He isn't greater in this house than I, neither has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

Gen 39:10 As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn't listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Gen 39:11 About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside.

Gen 39:12 She caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.

Gen 39:13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside,

Gen 39:14 she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, "Behold, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.

Gen 39:15 It happened, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and ran outside."

Gen 39:16 She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.

Gen 39:17 She spoke to him according to these words, saying, "The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me,

Gen 39:18 and it happened, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and ran outside."

Gen 39:19 It happened, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, "This is what your servant did to me," that his wrath was kindled.

Gen 39:20 Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody.

Gen 39:21 But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Gen 39:22 The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it.

Gen 39:23 The keeper of the prison didn't look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper.

NT Bible Reading 2/8/12 and 2/9/12

2012-02-08T08:47:00.002-05:00

Feb. 8, 9

Matthew 20

Mat 20:1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

Mat 20:2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Mat 20:3 He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

Mat 20:4 To them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way.

Mat 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.

Mat 20:6 About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'

Mat 20:7 "They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' "He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.'

Mat 20:8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

Mat 20:9 "When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.

Mat 20:10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.

Mat 20:11 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,

Mat 20:12 saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!'

Mat 20:13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius?

Mat 20:14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.

Mat 20:15 Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'

Mat 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."

Mat 20:17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,

Mat 20:18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,

Mat 20:19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up."

Mat 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.

Mat 20:21 He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom."

Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."

Mat 20:23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

Mat 20:24 When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.

Mat 20:25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Mat 20:26 It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

Mat 20:27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,

Mat 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mat 20:29 As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

Mat 20:30 Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!"

Mat 20:31 The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!"

Mat 20:32 Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Mat 20:33 They told him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."

Mat 20:34 Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.

Cohabitation before marriage by Mark Copeland

2012-02-08T08:45:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/cohabit.htm

Once a controversial topic in the world, now commonplace... terrible.... Gary

OT Bible Reading 2/7/12

2012-02-07T13:18:00.002-05:00

Feb. 7

Genesis 38

Gen 38:1 It happened at that time, that Judah went down from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

Gen 38:2 Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her, and went in to her.

Gen 38:3 She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.

Gen 38:4 She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.

Gen 38:5 She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bore him.

Gen 38:6 Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.

Gen 38:7 Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him.

Gen 38:8 Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and raise up seed to your brother."

Gen 38:9 Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.

Gen 38:10 The thing which he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he killed him also.

Gen 38:11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;" for he said, "Lest he also die, like his brothers." Tamar went and lived in her father's house.

Gen 38:12 After many days, Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.

Gen 38:13 It was told Tamar, saying, "Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."

Gen 38:14 She took off of her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn't given to him as a wife.

Gen 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.

Gen 38:16 He turned to her by the way, and said, "Please come, let me come in to you," for he didn't know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?"

Gen 38:17 He said, "I will send you a kid of the goats from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?"

Gen 38:18 He said, "What pledge will I give you?" She said, "Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.

Gen 38:19 She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

Gen 38:20 Judah sent the kid of the goats by the hand of his friend, the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he didn't find her.

Gen 38:21 Then he asked the men of her place, saying, "Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?" They said, "There has been no prostitute here."

Gen 38:22 He returned to Judah, and said, "I haven't found her; and also the men of the place said, 'There has been no prostitute here.' "

Gen 38:23 Judah said, "Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this kid, and you haven't found her."

Gen 38:24 It happened about three months later, that it was told Judah, saying, "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute; and moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution." Judah said, "Bring her forth, and let her be burnt."

Gen 38:25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man, whose these are, I am with child." She also said, "Please discern whose are these--the signet, and the cords, and the staff."

Gen 38:26 Judah acknowledged them, and said, "She is more righteous than I, because I didn't give her to Shelah, my son." He knew her again no more.

Gen 38:27 It happened in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb.

Gen 38:28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first."

Gen 38:29 It happened, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out, and she said, "Why have you made a breach for yourself?" Therefore his name was called Perez.

Gen 38:30 Afterward his brother came out, that had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

The Clairion voices of God by Mark Copeland

2012-02-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/clarion.htm

How does God speak to us? ......... Gary

Removing all doubt

2012-02-06T16:11:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter would be glad to know that I am aware of what Schroedinger's cat is about. Glad because she gave me the DVDs of the Big Bang Theory and I have watched them. For those who don't watch the series, someone name Schroedinger put a cat in a box along with a lethal poison and closed the box. As long as no one opened the box, the cat could be said to be either alive or dead. And that was it, except that you could believe it to be alive or dead as you wished. Some experiment; heartless to say the least! I do not enjoy such ambiguity, which is why I admired Jesus so much; he said what he meant to say and that was the end of it, period. The following is a prime example...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 8

[5] When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, [6] and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”

[7] Jesus said to him, "“I will come and heal him.”"

[8] The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

[10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "“Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel. [11] I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, [12] but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”" [13] Jesus said to the centurion, "“Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.”" His servant was healed in that hour.

The Jews were a special people; chosen by God to be his and to do his will. God taught them, cared for them and blessed them. They believed in God because he had proved himself to them over and over again. Not so with the Gentiles; and for Jesus to find one with such outstanding faith was truly amazing. Who really understands faith, anyway? Why does it reside so strongly in one heart and not at all in others? I wish I had a good answer; I do not. But, I do know that when Jesus spoke, people listened! They listened because he spoke like no one before him or after. As far as I am concerned, he left nothing to doubt and therefore you either believe or not and unlike the cat... no box is required.

OT Bible Reading 2/6/12

2012-02-06T15:52:00.002-05:00

Feb. 6

Genesis 37

Gen 37:1 Jacob lived in the land of his father's travels, in the land of Canaan.

Gen 37:2 This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.

Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors.

Gen 37:4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn't speak peaceably to him.

Gen 37:5 Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.

Gen 37:6 He said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:

Gen 37:7 for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf."

Gen 37:8 His brothers said to him, "Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us?" They hated him all the more for his dreams and for his words.

Gen 37:9 He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, "Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me."

Gen 37:10 He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?"

Gen 37:11 His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.

Gen 37:12 His brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

Gen 37:13 Israel said to Joseph, "Aren't your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." He said to him, "Here I am."

Gen 37:14 He said to him, "Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers, and well with the flock; and bring me word again." So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Gen 37:15 A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, "What are you looking for?"

Gen 37:16 He said, "I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock."

Gen 37:17 The man said, "They have left here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.' " Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan.

Gen 37:18 They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him.

Gen 37:19 They said one to another, "Behold, this dreamer comes.

Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let's kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, 'An evil animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams."

Gen 37:21 Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, "Let's not take his life."

Gen 37:22 Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him"--that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.

Gen 37:23 It happened, when Joseph came to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him;

Gen 37:24 and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it.

Gen 37:25 They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

Gen 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

Gen 37:27 Come, and let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him.

Gen 37:28 Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.

Gen 37:29 Reuben returned to the pit; and saw that Joseph wasn't in the pit; and he tore his clothes.

Gen 37:30 He returned to his brothers, and said, "The child is no more; and I, where will I go?"

Gen 37:31 They took Joseph's coat, and killed a male goat, and dipped the coat in the blood.

Gen 37:32 They took the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, "We have found this. Examine it, now, whether it is your son's coat or not."

Gen 37:33 He recognized it, and said, "It is my son's coat. An evil animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces."

Gen 37:34 Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Gen 37:35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, "For I will go down to Sheol to my son mourning." His father wept for him.

Gen 37:36 The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard.

NT Bible Reading 2/6/12 & 2/7/12

2012-02-06T15:51:00.002-05:00

Feb. 6, 7

Matthew 19

Mat 19:1 It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Mat 19:2 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

Mat 19:3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

Mat 19:4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

Mat 19:5 and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?'

Mat 19:6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."

Mat 19:7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?"

Mat 19:8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.

Mat 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery."

Mat 19:10 His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."

Mat 19:11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.

Mat 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."

Mat 19:13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these."

Mat 19:15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

Mat 19:16 Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

Mat 19:17 He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Mat 19:18 He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'

Mat 19:19 'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Mat 19:20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"

Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

Mat 19:23 Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.

Mat 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."

Mat 19:25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

Mat 19:26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mat 19:27 Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"

Mat 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mat 19:29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.

Mat 19:30 But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.

church membership by Mark Copeland

2012-02-06T15:50:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/member.htm

Are you a member of... Gary

Sideways faith

2012-02-05T15:07:00.000-05:00

I wonder if this happens very often? I doubt it, because I have never seen horizontal lightening before! If you would have told me yesterday that such a thing existed, I might have been a little skeptical, but I may just have accepted it as fact. We accept many things that we don't understand on a daily basis, like how your TV, computer or automobile works. We take for granted that when we turn the key in the ignition of our car it won't explode, or when we step into an elevator it won't go directly to the basement at the speed of light. So, why is it so hard for people to believe in Jesus? Here is one example...

WEB: John Chapter 20

[26] After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "“Peace be to you.”" [27] Then he said to Thomas, "“Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”"

[28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

[29] Jesus said to him, "“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”"

[30] Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas was with Jesus for two years; you think he would have been farther along in the faith department than he was at this point. But, obviously, he had some issues!!! Its easy for us to marvel at his unbelief, but I wonder how advanced we really are in this department? Can't answer that for you, but sometimes I am a little embarrassed to say I need a little work. But, as times goes on, God teaches me things through his word and I actually get it!!! And when I do; WOW!!! I hope that the next time you see something new, you will remember this passage from the book of John and not be too hard on yourself. God will understand; I know I do!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/5/12

2012-02-05T14:42:00.000-05:00

Feb. 5

Genesis 36

Gen 36:1 Now this is the history of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).

Gen 36:2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite;

Gen 36:3 and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Gen 36:4 Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. Basemath bore Reuel.

Gen 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Gen 36:6 Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.

Gen 36:7 For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn't bear them because of their livestock.

Gen 36:8 Esau lived in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom.

Gen 36:9 This is the history of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir:

Gen 36:10 these are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

Gen 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.

Gen 36:12 Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife.

Gen 36:13 These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

Gen 36:14 These were the sons of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Gen 36:15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,

Gen 36:16 chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Gen 36:17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

Gen 36:18 These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah: these are the chiefs who came of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.

Gen 36:19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

Gen 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

Gen 36:21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.

Gen 36:22 The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna.

Gen 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

Gen 36:24 These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon his father.

Gen 36:25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.

Gen 36:26 These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

Gen 36:27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.

Gen 36:28 These are the children of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

Gen 36:29 These are the chiefs who came of the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,

Gen 36:30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan: these are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

Gen 36:31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

Gen 36:32 Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.

Gen 36:33 Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.

Gen 36:34 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

Gen 36:35 Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

Gen 36:36 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

Gen 36:37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place.

Gen 36:38 Shaul died, and Baal Hanan, the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

Gen 36:39 Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

Gen 36:40 These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,

Gen 36:41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

Gen 36:42 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,

Gen 36:43 chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Challenges for a growing congregation by Mark Copeland

2012-02-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/challeng.htm

Life is full of challenges; why should the church be different? ... Gary

Stupidity: The sorry stepchild of invention.

2012-02-04T12:27:00.000-05:00

Sounds like something similar to a warp field generator or perhaps a multi-phase transponder for a quadratic field inducer, doesn't it? Believe that and I'll tell you about the multi-dimensional transverse gravitonometer and the flux capacitor. Whoops, you probably already know about the flux capacitor. Then again, reality comes back and I am forced to actually make sense. Human beings have the capacity to rearrange their environment; create new inventions, postulate ideas to conceived problems. We are too smart for our own good! Think of just one area: food. Look at all the additives, preservatives and "extra" things we do with our sustenance! The result is a whole host of man-made diseases. Yet, how futile this all is...

WEB: Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived! But, for all his wisdom he was seduced by his "strange wives" to follow after other gods. But, he was right in this verse because we should try with our utmost to do all that we can do in this world. Solomon was limited in his knowledge of the afterlife, because there will be more for us in heaven than he could have possibly imagined. I know from the New Testament that we will have a "work" to do in heaven; namely praising God, but I wonder... will there be a flux capacitor there? Will have to ask at the gate...

OT Bible Reading 2/4/12

2012-02-04T11:55:00.004-05:00

Feb. 4

Genesis 35

Gen 35:1 God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Gen 35:2 Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments.

Gen 35:3 Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went."

Gen 35:4 They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

Gen 35:5 They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn't pursue the sons of Jacob.

Gen 35:6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.

Gen 35:7 He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

Gen 35:8 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth.

Gen 35:9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him.

Gen 35:10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel." He named him Israel.

Gen 35:11 God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body.

Gen 35:12 The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your seed after you will I give the land."

Gen 35:13 God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him.

Gen 35:14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it.

Gen 35:15 Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him "Bethel."

Gen 35:16 They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor.

Gen 35:17 When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for now you will have another son."

Gen 35:18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.

Gen 35:19 Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem).

Gen 35:20 Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.

Gen 35:21 Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Gen 35:22 It happened, while Israel lived in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

Gen 35:23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

Gen 35:24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

Gen 35:25 The sons of Bilhah (Rachel's handmaid): Dan and Naphtali.

Gen 35:26 The sons of Zilpah (Leah's handmaid): Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

Gen 35:27 Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners.

Gen 35:28 The days of Isaac were one hundred eighty years.

Gen 35:29 Isaac gave up the spirit, and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.

NT Bible Reading 2/4/12 and 2/5/12

2012-02-04T11:53:00.002-05:00

Feb. 4, 5

Matthew 18

Mat 18:1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"

Mat 18:2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them,

Mat 18:3 and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mat 18:4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mat 18:5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,

Mat 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

Mat 18:7 "Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!

Mat 18:8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

Mat 18:9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.

Mat 18:10 See that you don't despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 18:11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.

Mat 18:12 "What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?

Mat 18:13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.

Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.

Mat 18:16 But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

Mat 18:18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.

Mat 18:19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

Mat 18:21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"

Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.

Mat 18:23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.

Mat 18:24 When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

Mat 18:25 But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!'

Mat 18:27 The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Mat 18:28 "But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'

Mat 18:29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you!'

Mat 18:30 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.

Mat 18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.

Mat 18:32 Then his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.

Mat 18:33 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?'

Mat 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him.

Mat 18:35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."

The Celebration of Easter by Mark Copeland

2012-02-04T11:52:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/easter.htm

Should the church do this? ... Gary

Remember; don't forget!!!

2012-02-03T11:50:00.000-05:00

America is aging; the baby boomers are older now and the effect on society is significant!!! I saw this picture and remembered yesterday; when I found myself in a room and didn't have the slightest idea why I was in there. No big deal! I was a bit surprised and that was it; period. An hour later I remembered what I was going to do and by that time I had thought up something to add to my task, so things turned out much better than they would have in the first place. Some things can be forgotten easily at any age, but when remembered can really make a difference in your life. Check out what the apostle Peter says about this...

WEB: II Peter Chapter 3

[1] This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; [2] that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior: [3] knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, [4] and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” [5] For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God; [6] by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. [7] But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. [8] But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The other day I watched the movie Armageddon again. The opening scene in which you see a picture of the Earth and Charlton Heston says something like... it has happened before and it will happen again. He was referring to the Earth being hit by a six mile meteorite which nearly destroyed the planet. His words resonated with me because we humans tend to forget things; and in times of prosperity... God. Today, more than ever, we need to remember the past; that apostasy has happened before, just as it has become prevalent in this culture. But, God is patient with us and in his own good time will sort everything out and make all right. Don't forget... remember who HE is and what HE will do and some day (perhaps even today) you will be eternally glad you did. Surprise! God will bless you; only don't forget HIM!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/3/12

2012-02-03T11:28:00.002-05:00

Feb. 3

Genesis 34

Gen 34:1 Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Gen 34:2 Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her.

Gen 34:3 His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.

Gen 34:4 Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, "Get me this young lady as a wife."

Gen 34:5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came.

Gen 34:6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to talk with him.

Gen 34:7 The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; a which thing ought not to be done.

Gen 34:8 Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.

Gen 34:9 Make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.

Gen 34:10 You shall dwell with us, and the land will be before you. Live and trade in it, and get possessions in it."

Gen 34:11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will give.

Gen 34:12 Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife."

Gen 34:13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, and spoke, because he had defiled Dinah their sister,

Gen 34:14 and said to them, "We can't do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us.

Gen 34:15 Only on this condition will we consent to you. If you will be as we are, that every male of you be circumcised;

Gen 34:16 then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

Gen 34:17 But if you will not listen to us, to be circumcised, then we will take our sister, and we will be gone."

Gen 34:18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.

Gen 34:19 The young man didn't wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father.

Gen 34:20 Hamor and Shechem, his son, came to the gate of their city, and talked with the men of their city, saying,

Gen 34:21 "These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Gen 34:22 Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people, if every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised.

Gen 34:23 Won't their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours? Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us."

Gen 34:24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Gen 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and killed all the males.

Gen 34:26 They killed Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went away.

Gen 34:27 Jacob's sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.

Gen 34:28 They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, that which was in the city, that which was in the field,

Gen 34:29 and all their wealth. They took captive all their little ones and their wives, and took as plunder everything that was in the house.

Gen 34:30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. They will gather themselves together against me and strike me, and I will be destroyed, I and my house."

Gen 34:31 They said, "Should he deal with our sister as with a prostitute?"

The Celebration of Christmas by Mark Copeland

2012-02-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/xmas.htm

What about the tradition? ... Gary

Free at what cost?

2012-02-02T07:55:00.000-05:00

Who wouldn't want these things? You can't buy them and you can't REALLY LIVE WITHOUT THEM. Are they REALLY free? Good question! I don't think they really are. There is a cost associated with them. It takes a lot of work to hold a family together, or in reality any relationship for that matter. All these things are indicative of a good life and that takes effort. Its so easy to let the world get you down, to think negatively and spiral into unhappiness. One easy (and at times, not so easy) way to avoid this is to think about what we do and more importantly, WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO!! Living right (or perhaps more accurately, righteously) means living a life that eliminates sinful activity. Living wrong (sinfully) leads to unhappiness. The apostle Paul puts it this way...

World English Bible: Romans Chapter 6

[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? [3] Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; [6] knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. [7] For he who has died has been freed from sin. [8] But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; [9] knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! [10] For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. [11] Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[12] Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. [13] Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. [15] What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! [16] Don’t you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? [17] But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered. [18] Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.

[19] I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification. [20] For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. [21] What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. [22] But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christians are bound to Christ; to live as he would have us to live. And that life is NOT FREE; it cost Jesus his LIFE. To us it is free, but it still has the cost of our obedience. Consider all the things that you get when you obey and the cost is really NO BIG DEAL. The cost of disobedience is much higher as the lives of adulterers, drug addicts, liars, murderers, thieves and all sorts of sinful activities will testify to. So, as cute as the picture may be, I really don't agree with it, because if fact nothing is free; somewhere, somehow, someone is doing something to make these things happen. And I am GLAD THEY ARE! GIVE ME MORE, PLEASE!!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/2/12

2012-02-02T07:18:00.002-05:00

Feb. 2

Genesis 33

Gen 33:1 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two handmaids.

Gen 33:2 He put the handmaids and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

Gen 33:3 He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Gen 33:4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.

Gen 33:5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, "Who are these with you?" He said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Gen 33:6 Then the handmaids came near with their children, and they bowed themselves.

Gen 33:7 Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Gen 33:8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my lord."

Gen 33:9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours."

Gen 33:10 Jacob said, "Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Gen 33:11 Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." He urged him, and he took it.

Gen 33:12 Esau said, "Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before you."

Gen 33:13 Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young, and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die.

Gen 33:14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir."

Gen 33:15 Esau said, "Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me." He said, "Why? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Gen 33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

Gen 33:17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Gen 33:18 Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan Aram; and encamped before the city.

Gen 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.

Gen 33:20 He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.

Managing Anger by Mark Copeland

2012-02-02T07:17:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/anger.htm

Learning this can avoid a lot of trouble in life... Gary

Good Morning!

2012-02-01T12:01:00.000-05:00

This little fella looks happy! Remember happiness? Its being young and waking up on a warm spring day in the month of May... feeling great!!! Perhaps its the day you bought your first car or house or maybe the day you became a parent? Those things come and go, but this little passage from the New Testament says it all for me...

WEB: Philippians Chapter 4

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Many things have changed in my life, but God has not changed. He is right where he has always been and the knowledge of that makes even the worst day something to remember. If you can't say that right now, then perhaps its time to do something about the situation. Take some time, reflect on where you are in relation to God. Open the book, ask someone who says they are a Christian; do something about it. You will be glad you did; maybe even as glad as the little guy in this picture!!!

OT Bible Reading 2/1/12

2012-02-01T11:45:00.002-05:00

Feb. 1

Genesis 32

Gen 32:1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

Gen 32:2 When he saw them, Jacob said, "This is God's army." He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Gen 32:3 Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

Gen 32:4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: 'This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now.

Gen 32:5 I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.' "

Gen 32:6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau. Not only that, but he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him."

Gen 32:7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies;

Gen 32:8 and he said, "If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape."

Gen 32:9 Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,'

Gen 32:10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies.

Gen 32:11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and strike me, and the mothers with the children.

Gen 32:12 You said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which can't be numbered because there are so many.' "

Gen 32:13 He lodged there that night, and took from that which he had with him, a present for Esau, his brother:

Gen 32:14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,

Gen 32:15 thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.

Gen 32:16 He delivered them into the hands of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, "Pass over before me, and put a space between herd and herd."

Gen 32:17 He commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, 'Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?'

Gen 32:18 Then you shall say, 'They are your servant, Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord, Esau. Behold, he also is behind us.' "

Gen 32:19 He commanded also the second, and the third, and all that followed the herds, saying, "This is how you shall speak to Esau, when you find him.

Gen 32:20 You shall say, 'Not only that, but behold, your servant, Jacob, is behind us.' " For, he said, "I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."

Gen 32:21 So the present passed over before him, and he himself lodged that night in the camp.

Gen 32:22 He rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two handmaids, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford of the Jabbok.

Gen 32:23 He took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had.

Gen 32:24 Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day.

Gen 32:25 When he saw that he didn't prevail against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled.

Gen 32:26 The man said, "Let me go, for the day breaks." Jacob said, "I won't let you go, unless you bless me."

Gen 32:27 He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."

Gen 32:28 He said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."

Gen 32:29 Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask what my name is?" He blessed him there.

Gen 32:30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

Gen 32:31 The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh.

Gen 32:32 Therefore the children of Israel don't eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.

NT Bible Reading 2/1/12, 2/2/12, 2/3/12

2012-02-01T11:43:00.002-05:00

Feb. 1, 2, 3

Matthew 17

Mat 17:1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.

Mat 17:2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.

Mat 17:3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.

Mat 17:4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Mat 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

Mat 17:6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

Mat 17:7 Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid."

Mat 17:8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.

Mat 17:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Don't tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

Mat 17:10 His disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

Mat 17:11 Jesus answered them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,

Mat 17:12 but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them."

Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.

Mat 17:14 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,

Mat 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

Mat 17:16 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him."

Mat 17:17 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me."

Mat 17:18 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.

Mat 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?"

Mat 17:20 He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Mat 17:21 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."

Mat 17:22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

Mat 17:23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up." They were exceedingly sorry.

Mat 17:24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?"

Mat 17:25 He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?"

Mat 17:26 Peter said to him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Therefore the children are exempt.

Mat 17:27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."

Capital Punishment by Mark Copeland

2012-02-01T11:41:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/cap_pun.htm

This one is a "must read"... Gary

Bacon

2012-01-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I made Lima bean soup, but with bacon. Today, I am paying for having that extra portion of beans, but it was worth it, because I really like it better with bacon than with ham. So, when I saw this picture, I related to it in a big way!!! But, I do know that this picture describes a fleeting truth and not absolute one. Here is how I know...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 6

[19] “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

[22] “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

[24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. [25] Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

[27] “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? [28] Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, [29] yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

[31] “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."

Food, shelter, family; essentials all. We know this and yet do we know that there is something more? If we have eyes, ears and the native intelligence of a smart bird, then we can appreciate love, kindness and gentleness. Characteristics of humanity, which of course find their perfection in Divinity. I say: Enjoy all the good things that God has given you and be happy. Only remember that GOD has given them to you and thank HIM. And, oh, yes, don't overdo it on bean soup!!!

OT Bible Reading 1/31/12

2012-01-31T11:34:00.002-05:00

Jan. 31

Genesis 31

Gen 31:1 He heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. From that which was our father's, has he gotten all this wealth."

Gen 31:2 Jacob saw the expression on Laban's face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

Gen 31:3 Yahweh said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you."

Gen 31:4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,

Gen 31:5 and said to them, "I see the expression on your father's face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.

Gen 31:6 You know that I have served your father with all of my strength.

Gen 31:7 Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God didn't allow him to hurt me.

Gen 31:8 If he said this, 'The speckled will be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled. If he said this, 'The streaked will be your wages,' then all the flock bore streaked.

Gen 31:9 Thus God has taken away your father's livestock, and given them to me.

Gen 31:10 It happened during mating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled.

Gen 31:11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am.'

Gen 31:12 He said, 'Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you.

Gen 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.' "

Gen 31:14 Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

Gen 31:15 Aren't we accounted by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also quite devoured our money.

Gen 31:16 For all the riches which God has taken away from our father, that is ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do."

Gen 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives on the camels,

Gen 31:18 and he took away all his livestock, and all his possessions which he had gathered, including the livestock which he had gained in Paddan Aram, to go to Isaac his father, to the land of Canaan.

Gen 31:19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father's.

Gen 31:20 Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn't tell him that he was running away.

Gen 31:21 So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.

Gen 31:22 Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.

Gen 31:23 He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.

Gen 31:24 God came to Laban, the Syrian, in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Take heed to yourself that you don't speak to Jacob either good or bad."

Gen 31:25 Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain, and Laban with his relatives encamped in the mountain of Gilead.

Gen 31:26 Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?

Gen 31:27 Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn't tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with songs, with tambourine and with harp;

Gen 31:28 and didn't allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you done foolishly.

Gen 31:29 It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Take heed to yourself that you don't speak to Jacob either good or bad.'

Gen 31:30 Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father's house, but why have you stolen my gods?"

Gen 31:31 Jacob answered Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I said, 'Lest you should take your daughters from me by force.'

Gen 31:32 Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it." For Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen them.

Gen 31:33 Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn't find them. He went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

Gen 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt about all the tent, but didn't find them.

Gen 31:35 She said to her father, "Don't let my lord be angry that I can't rise up before you; for the manner of women is on me." He searched, but didn't find the teraphim.

Gen 31:36 Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me?

Gen 31:37 Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my relatives and your relatives, that they may judge between us two.

Gen 31:38 These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven't eaten the rams of your flocks.

Gen 31:39 That which was torn of animals, I didn't bring to you. I bore its loss. Of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.

Gen 31:40 This was my situation: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Gen 31:41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

Gen 31:42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

Gen 31:43 Laban answered Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine: and what can I do this day to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?

Gen 31:44 Now come, let us make a covenant, you and I; and let it be for a witness between me and you."

Gen 31:45 Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

Gen 31:46 Jacob said to his relatives, "Gather stones." They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap.

Gen 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

Gen 31:48 Laban said, "This heap is witness between me and you this day." Therefore it was named Galeed

Gen 31:49 and Mizpah, for he said, "Yahweh watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another.

Gen 31:50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you."

Gen 31:51 Laban said to Jacob, "See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.

Gen 31:52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.

Gen 31:53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us." Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac.

Gen 31:54 Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain.

Gen 31:55 Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.

NT Bible Reading 1/31/12, 2/1/12

2012-01-31T11:33:00.002-05:00

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

Matthew 16

Mat 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Mat 16:2 But he answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'

Mat 16:3 In the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times!

Mat 16:4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." He left them, and departed.

Mat 16:5 The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.

Mat 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Mat 16:7 They reasoned among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread."

Mat 16:8 Jesus, perceiving it, said, "Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, 'because you have brought no bread?'

Mat 16:9 Don't you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Mat 16:10 Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Mat 16:11 How is it that you don't perceive that I didn't speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Mat 16:12 Then they understood that he didn't tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

Mat 16:14 They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

Mat 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Mat 16:17 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 16:18 I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Mat 16:19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven."

Mat 16:20 Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ.

Mat 16:21 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

Mat 16:22 Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you."

Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men."

Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.

Mat 16:26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

Mat 16:28 Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."

Blest be the tie by Mark Copeland

2012-01-31T11:31:00.000-05:00

http://executableoutlines.com/top/blestbe.htm

Commentary on the Hymn... Gary

The grey side of JOY

2012-01-30T11:21:00.001-05:00

Dreamy; that is how I would describe this picture... an almost too wonderful picture. I could almost picture myself on the lake; almost! Then I was reminded of a conversation I had the other day with my oldest granddaughter. I had been thinking of buying my first motorcycle and she quickly talked me out of it. "You will use it a couple of times and then it will just sit there" quickly stopped that train of thought because I knew she was right!!! So, after a few seconds of looking at the picture, I knew it was just a motorcycle in disguise. Pipe-dreams all!!! Please take a moment and read this chapter from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes...

World English Bible: Ecclesiastes Chapter 11

[1] Cast your bread on the waters;

for you shall find it after many days.

[2] Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight;

for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.

[3] If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth;

and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north,

in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.

[4] He who observes the wind won’t sow;

and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.

[5] As you don’t know what is the way of the wind,

nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;

even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.

[6] In the morning sow your seed,

and in the evening don’t withhold your hand;

for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that,

or whether they both will be equally good.

[7] Truly the light is sweet,

and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.

[8] Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;

but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many.

All that comes is vanity.

[9] Rejoice, young man, in your youth,

and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,

and walk in the ways of your heart,

and in the sight of your eyes;

but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

[10] Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,

and put away evil from your flesh;

for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

If I were to give this chapter a title it would be: The grey side of JOY!!! Grey because in even handedly looking at the most pleasant of things (like light or youth or the gentle blowing of the wind) one must consider the less than wonderful consequences of it in order to appreciate it by means of contrast. So, in a book of the Bible that presents wisdom from a human perspective, the ultimate conclusion is vanity. While Solomon had great wisdom, yet somehow he lacked true humility and it is only those who can view life in true submission to God who will see things as they genuinely are. As for me, I will keep looking at sailboats and motorcycles, but realize they are nothing as compared to the joy of having a home in heaven. And, there is no "GREY" in heaven at all!!!!!!