New Bible Reflections

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!!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 1/30/12

2012-01-30T10:56:00.000-05:00

Jan. 30

Genesis 30

Gen 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I will die."

Gen 30:2 Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in God's place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"

Gen 30:3 She said, "Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her."

Gen 30:4 She gave him Bilhah her handmaid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.

Gen 30:5 Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.

Gen 30:6 Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son." Therefore called she his name Dan.

Gen 30:7 Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.

Gen 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed." She named him Naphtali.

Gen 30:9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.

Gen 30:10 Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, bore Jacob a son.

Gen 30:11 Leah said, "How fortunate!" She named him Gad.

Gen 30:12 Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, bore Jacob a second son.

Gen 30:13 Leah said, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy." She named him Asher.

Gen 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."

Gen 30:15 She said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."

Gen 30:16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, "You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." He lay with her that night.

Gen 30:17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Gen 30:18 Leah said, "God has given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband." She named him Issachar.

Gen 30:19 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob.

Gen 30:20 Leah said, "God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons." She named him Zebulun.

Gen 30:21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah.

Gen 30:22 God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb.

Gen 30:23 She conceived, bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach."

Gen 30:24 She named him Joseph, saying, "May Yahweh add another son to me."

Gen 30:25 It happened, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country.

Gen 30:26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you."

Gen 30:27 Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake."

Gen 30:28 He said, "Appoint me your wages, and I will give it."

Gen 30:29 He said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me.

Gen 30:30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?"

Gen 30:31 He said, "What shall I give you?" Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it.

Gen 30:32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire.

Gen 30:33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be counted stolen."

Gen 30:34 Laban said, "Behold, I desire it to be according to your word."

Gen 30:35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

Gen 30:36 He set three days' journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Gen 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

Gen 30:38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.

Gen 30:39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Gen 30:40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in the flock of Laban: and he put his own droves apart, and didn't put them into Laban's flock.

Gen 30:41 It happened, whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the flock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods;

Gen 30:42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn't put them in. So the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Gen 30:43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Biblical illiteracy by Mark Copeland

2012-01-30T10:54:00.000-05:00

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

Do we know our Bible? .... Gary

After the infinite...

2012-01-29T14:43:00.000-05:00

The picture is a good start in understanding about the infinite. It just keeps going on and on and on and on. But isn't it more that just that? So, I looked in a program called Artha and found the following definition.

infinite ~ adj uncommon
1. having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
the infinite ingenuity of man; infinite wealth
2. of verbs; having neither person nor number nor mood (as a participle or gerund or infinitive)
infinite verb form
3. too numerous to be counted
incalculable riches; countless hours; an infinite number of reasons; innumerable difficulties; the multitudinous seas; myriad stars; untold thousands
4. total and all-embracing
God's infinite wisdom

No limits at all; that makes sense to me. Infinity seems to be linked to eternity for me. Long ago there was a time I can't remember, so it is an infinite time to me. Then I began to remember and some day I will have no more memory in this world (although I will when I reach heaven). So, from an Earthly standpoint, time will be infinite once again. After I thought about this for a bit, I thought about Lazarus and what it must have been like for him...

John 11 (WEB)

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. 2 It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, "“This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”" 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "“Let’s go into Judea again.”"

8 The disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and are you going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, "“Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.”" 11 He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "“Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.”"

12 The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”

13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. 14 So Jesus said to them plainly then, "“Lazarus is dead. 15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”"

16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, * said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go also, that we may die with him.”

17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia * away. 19 Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. 21 Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, "“Your brother will rise again.”"

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, "“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”"

27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here, and is calling you.”

29 When she heard this, she arose quickly, and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” 32 Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, "“Where have you laid him?”"

They told him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

36 The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” 37 Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "“Take away the stone.”"

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, "“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”"

41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. * Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "“Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”" 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "“Lazarus, come out!”"

44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, "“Free him, and let him go.”"

Lazarus died and rose from the dead by the power of Jesus. I wonder what time seemed like to him? The Bible doesn't tell us and perhaps that is a good thing. What seems interesting to me that a perishable human being made contact with eternity and lived to talk about it. Jesus is the resurrection (rising again from death) and the life (eternal, unending) and our hope of seeing eternity. That is bigger than any picture could possibly be, for pictures have a defined enclosure. Its better than this life, for things in the "now" of our existence are subject to entrophy. Its more wonderful than our imagination could conceive and our hopes could dream. God giving us a new life forever!!! Think about that today and tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day...

OT Bible Reading 1/29/12

2012-01-29T14:03:00.002-05:00

Jan. 29

Genesis 29

Gen 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.

Gen 29:2 He looked, and behold, a well in the field, and, behold, three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well's mouth was large.

Gen 29:3 There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again on the well's mouth in its place.

Gen 29:4 Jacob said to them, "My relatives, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

Gen 29:5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."

Gen 29:6 He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep."

Gen 29:7 He said, "Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them."

Gen 29:8 They said, "We can't, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well's mouth. Then we water the sheep."

Gen 29:9 While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.

Gen 29:10 It happened, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

Gen 29:11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

Gen 29:12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.

Gen 29:13 It happened, when Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister's son, that he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things.

Gen 29:14 Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. He lived with him for a month.

Gen 29:15 Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?"

Gen 29:16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

Gen 29:17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.

Gen 29:18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

Gen 29:19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."

Gen 29:20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

Gen 29:21 Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her."

Gen 29:22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Gen 29:23 It happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her.

Gen 29:24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

Gen 29:25 It happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Didn't I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"

Gen 29:26 Laban said, "It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Gen 29:27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years."

Gen 29:28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.

Gen 29:29 Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her handmaid.

Gen 29:30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Gen 29:31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Gen 29:32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, "Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction. For now my husband will love me."

Gen 29:33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also." She named him Simeon.

Gen 29:34 She conceived again, and bore a son. Said, "Now this time will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore was his name called Levi.

Gen 29:35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, "This time will I praise Yahweh." Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

NT Bible Reading 1/29/12 & 1/30/12

2012-01-29T14:02:00.002-05:00

Jan. 29, 30

Matthew 15

Mat 15:1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,

Mat 15:2 "Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."

Mat 15:3 He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?

Mat 15:4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'

Mat 15:5 But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,"

Mat 15:6 he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.

Mat 15:7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

Mat 15:8 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 15:9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.' "

Mat 15:10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand.

Mat 15:11 That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."

Mat 15:12 Then the disciples came, and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?"

Mat 15:13 But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted.

Mat 15:14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

Mat 15:15 Peter answered him, "Explain the parable to us."

Mat 15:16 So Jesus said, "Do you also still not understand?

Mat 15:17 Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body?

Mat 15:18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.

Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man."

Mat 15:21 Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.

Mat 15:22 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely demonized!"

Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away; for she cries after us."

Mat 15:24 But he answered, "I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Mat 15:25 But she came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me."

Mat 15:26 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Mat 15:27 But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."

Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Mat 15:29 Jesus departed there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there.

Mat 15:30 Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them,

Mat 15:31 so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, injured whole, lame walking, and blind seeing-and they glorified the God of Israel.

Mat 15:32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way."

Mat 15:33 The disciples said to him, "Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?"

Mat 15:34 Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

Mat 15:35 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;

Mat 15:36 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

Mat 15:37 They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.

Mat 15:38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Mat 15:39 Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.

The benefits of a small church by Mark Copeland

2012-01-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

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

What is good about being small, anyway... Gary

OT Bible Reading 1/28/12

2012-01-28T14:47:00.002-05:00

Jan. 28

Genesis 28

Gen 28:1 Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, "You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

Gen 28:2 Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father. Take a wife from there from the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother.

Gen 28:3 May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples,

Gen 28:4 and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your seed with you, that you may inherit the land where you travel, which God gave to Abraham."

Gen 28:5 Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, Rebekah's brother, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

Gen 28:6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, "You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,"

Gen 28:7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan Aram.

Gen 28:8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan didn't please Isaac, his father.

Gen 28:9 Esau went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.

Gen 28:10 Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

Gen 28:11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep.

Gen 28:12 He dreamed. Behold, a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Gen 28:13 Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed.

Gen 28:14 Your seed will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed.

Gen 28:15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken of to you."

Gen 28:16 Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn't know it."

Gen 28:17 He was afraid, and said, "How dreadful is this place! This is none other than God's house, and this is the gate of heaven."

Gen 28:18 Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top.

Gen 28:19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.

Gen 28:20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on,

Gen 28:21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, and Yahweh will be my God,

Gen 28:22 then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God's house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give the tenth to you."

Back to the basics by Mark Copeland

2012-01-28T14:45:00.000-05:00

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

Remember the way it felt when you first became a Christian... Gary

Cut it out, or... it hurts to think differently

2012-01-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

Question: when does one word become two? Answer: when it is cut out!!! Neat trick; you just have to visualize it, that all. Some things are like that; you just have to adjust your thinking and reason. Even intelligent people have a hard time using their cognitive abilities sometimes, especially when their "attitudes" get in the way. Here is one example...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 22

[23] On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, [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.’ [25] Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. [26] In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh. [27] After them all, the woman died. [28] In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”

[29] But Jesus answered them, "“You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven. [31] But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, [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.”"

[33] When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”

[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.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”"

[41] Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, [42] saying, "“What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?”"

They said to him, “Of David.”

[43] He said to them, "“How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

[44] ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
sit on my right hand,
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’

[45] “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”"

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

The Sadducees thought to trick Jesus by giving him a problem he could not possibly understand. They were the religious "Ellette" in Israel and knew it, so therefore no one could ever be more correct than they were. Or so they thought...

BUT, they were wrong and were humiliated. Next came the Pharisees (separated ones) with another trick question. They based their reasoning on their belief that all the Law was equal, but they too were proven wrong. Finally, Jesus asks them a question which shows how much they didn't know about the Scriptures themselves. They couldn't answer because to do so would have acknowledged the eternality of the Messiah and his greatness. This would have put them in a position of submission and they knew it, therefore they stopped asking questions out of fear of total humiliation. Since David was the father of "The Christ" and "The Christ" was greater than him... Jesus must be God. Something they wanted desperately NOT TO BELIEVE AT ALL COSTS!!! They could not accept the concept of Jesus being "The Messiah" and God because then they would have to listen to HIM. Its like looking at the picture and seeing only Cut or only Out. Its only if you put the two together, you get the message, period.

OT Bible Reading 1/27/12

2012-01-27T15:20:00.002-05:00

Jan. 27

Genesis 27

Gen 27:1 It happened, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, "My son?" He said to him, "Here I am."

Gen 27:2 He said, "See now, I am old. I don't know the day of my death.

Gen 27:3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison.

Gen 27:4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die."

Gen 27:5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Gen 27:6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, "Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,

Gen 27:7 'Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Yahweh before my death.'

Gen 27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you.

Gen 27:9 Go now to the flock, and get me from there two good kids of the goats. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves.

Gen 27:10 You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death."

Gen 27:11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.

Gen 27:12 What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a blessing."

Gen 27:13 His mother said to him, "Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me."

Gen 27:14 He went, and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother made savory food, such as his father loved.

Gen 27:15 Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son.

Gen 27:16 She put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck.

Gen 27:17 She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Gen 27:18 He came to his father, and said, "My father?" He said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"

Gen 27:19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me."

Gen 27:20 Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" He said, "Because Yahweh your God gave me success."

Gen 27:21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not."

Gen 27:22 Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau."

Gen 27:23 He didn't recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother, Esau's hands. So he blessed him.

Gen 27:24 He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am."

Gen 27:25 He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless you." He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank.

Gen 27:26 His father Isaac said to him, "Come near now, and kiss me, my son."

Gen 27:27 He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said, "Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Yahweh has blessed.

Gen 27:28 God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine.

Gen 27:29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you."

Gen 27:30 It happened, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

Gen 27:31 He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, "Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that your soul may bless me."

Gen 27:32 Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."

Gen 27:33 Isaac trembled violently, and said, "Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed."

Gen 27:34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, my father."

Gen 27:35 He said, "Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing."

Gen 27:36 He said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing." He said, "Haven't you reserved a blessing for me?"

Gen 27:37 Isaac answered Esau, "Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers have I given to him for servants. With grain and new wine have I sustained him. What then will I do for you, my son?"

Gen 27:38 Esau said to his father, "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father." Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Gen 27:39 Isaac his father answered him, "Behold, of the fatness of the earth will be your dwelling, and of the dew of the sky from above.

Gen 27:40 By your sword will you live, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you shall shake his yoke from off your neck."

Gen 27:41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob."

Gen 27:42 The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him, "Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.

Gen 27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.

Gen 27:44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother's fury turns away;

Gen 27:45 until your brother's anger turn away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?"

Gen 27:46 Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?"

NT Bible Reading 1/27/12 & 1/28/12

2012-01-27T15:19:00.002-05:00

Jan. 27, 28

Matthew 14

Mat 14:1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,

Mat 14:2 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him."

Mat 14:3 For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

Mat 14:4 For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

Mat 14:5 When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Mat 14:6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.

Mat 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

Mat 14:8 She, being prompted by her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer."

Mat 14:9 The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,

Mat 14:10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

Mat 14:11 His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother.

Mat 14:12 His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

Mat 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.

Mat 14:14 Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

Mat 14:15 When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food."

Mat 14:16 But Jesus said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat."

Mat 14:17 They told him, "We only have here five loaves and two fish."

Mat 14:18 He said, "Bring them here to me."

Mat 14:19 He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

Mat 14:20 They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.

Mat 14:21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Mat 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Mat 14:23 After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.

Mat 14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Mat 14:25 In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.

Mat 14:26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear.

Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."

Mat 14:28 Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters."

Mat 14:29 He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.

Mat 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"

Mat 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Mat 14:32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.

Mat 14:33 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!"

Mat 14:34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

Mat 14:35 When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick,

Mat 14:36 and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.

Attitudes needed in congregational work by Mark Copeland

2012-01-27T15:17:00.002-05:00

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

Attitude is everything!!! Gary

Solve your lunch BEFORE you eat!!!

2012-01-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

Remember the Rubik's cube; I do. I remember trying to solve it, but honestly don't think I ever did. I am a little surprised that someone didn't re-do this by inserting the "cheap joke" the original annotator suggested, but instead someone decided to comment about Rubic himself. Who was Rubic? A little Internet search found the following:

The History of Rubik's

1944

Ernő Rubik is born in Budapest, Hungary. He grows up to become an architect, designer and university professor.
1974

Rubik creates the first working prototype of the cube. This is the official birth date of the world’s favourite toy.
1975
Rubik patents the ‘Magic Cube’ and Hungarian toy-manufacturer Politechnika begins the difficult task of mass-production.
1977

The first ‘Magic Cube’ is sold in a Budapest toyshop.
1980

Ideal Toy Corporation begins exporting the cube from Hungary. The ‘Magic Cube’ is renamed the ‘Rubik’s Cube’.
1981

A publication entitled ‘You Can Do the Cube’ was produced by Patrick Bossert, a 12-year-old schoolboy from England. The book goes on to sell 1.5 million copies.
1982

The first annual International Rubik’s Championships are held in Budapest. More than 100 million cubes have now been sold and Rubik’s enters the Oxford English Dictionary.
1990

Ernő Rubik becomes President of the Hungarian Engineering Academy. He later establishes the International Rubik Foundation to support talented young designers.
1995

Diamond Cutters International creates the ‘Masterpiece Cube’ for Rubik’s 15^th birthday – a fully-functional, 185 carat Cube made of solid gold and encrusted with coloured jewels.
2005

The cube celebrates its 25^th anniversary on 26 July. A special, limited edition Rubik’s Cube is produced to mark the occasion.
2007

World Rubik's Cube Championships are held in Budapest from 5-7 October, marking the 25^th anniversary of the competition. Ernő Rubik was there to award the prizes in person.
Today

Ernő Rubik is now enjoying his retirement but the Rubik’s Studio continues to design games and work with young designers in Hungary and beyond.

Why did his cube attain to such popularity? Cuteness? Cleverness? Intellectual challenge? All of these and probably many more reasons went into its success. But, what about the man? Can we learn something about him from what he did? A challenge, yes; but the work speaks for itself. Reminds me of something that occurred in the New Testament...

World English Bible: John Chapter 8

[1] but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst, [4] they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What then do you say about her?” [6] They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of.

But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. [7] But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "“He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”" [8] Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

[9] They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. [10] Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, "“Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”"

[11] She said, “No one, Lord.”

Jesus said, "“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”"

[12] Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "“I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”"

[13] The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”

[14] Jesus answered them, "“Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. [15] You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. [16] Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. [17] It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. [18] I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”"

[19] They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?”

Jesus answered, "“You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”" [20] Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. [21] Jesus said therefore again to them, "“I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”"

[22] The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, that he says, "‘Where I am going, you can’t come?’"”

[23] He said to them, "“You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. [24] I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”"

[25] They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”

Jesus said to them, "“Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. [26] I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”"

[27] They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. [28] Jesus therefore said to them, "“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. [29] He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”"

[30] As he spoke these things, many believed in him. [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”"

[33] They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, "‘You will be made free?’"”

[34] Jesus answered them, "“Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. [35] A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. [36] If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. [37] I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. [38] I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”"

[39] They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them, "“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. [41] You do the works of your father.”"

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

[42] Therefore Jesus said to them, "“If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. [44] You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. [45] But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. [46] Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”"

[48] Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”

[49] Jesus answered, "“I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. [51] Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”"

[52] Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, "‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’" [53] Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

[54] Jesus answered, "“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. [55] You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”"

[57] The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

[58] Jesus said to them, "“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”"

[59] Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.

Not everyone wants to learn. The adversarial Jews Jesus confronted were just such people. They knew what they knew and in their mind, no one knew more than them. So, if you were different, you were wrong; case closed. But, it wasn't closed. Jesus challenged them at every turn and in spite of all their collective efforts, they were repeatedly defeated. Their frustration eventually led to verse 59, where their murderous nature was revealed. Jesus had shown them all the "pieces" necessary to knowing him, but they just could not re-arrange their thinking. His ministry was the revelation of his identity and all they had to do was look at their world (and him) in a different way. An open mind is the pathway to understanding; its a challenge we all must face and hopefully we will be able to understand truth when we see it. As far as the picture goes, the second commentator is wrong. Rubic would have never "solved" his "lunch". The puzzle lunch was left uncompleted as a challenge to think, because that is the idea of the cube in the first place. I think Jesus would have liked this man; I know I do!!!

OT Bible Reading 1/26/12

2012-01-26T10:32:00.000-05:00

Jan. 26

Genesis 26

Gen 26:1 There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.

Gen 26:2 Yahweh appeared to him, and said, "Don't go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about.

Gen 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For to you, and to your seed, I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

Gen 26:4 I will multiply your seed as the stars of the sky, and will give to your seed all these lands. In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed,

Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."

Gen 26:6 Isaac lived in Gerar.

Gen 26:7 The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "My wife," lest, he thought, "the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at."

Gen 26:8 It happened, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife.

Gen 26:9 Abimelech called Isaac, and said, "Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, 'She is my sister?' " Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'Lest I die because of her.' "

Gen 26:10 Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!"

Gen 26:11 Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, "He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death."

Gen 26:12 Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Yahweh blessed him.

Gen 26:13 The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great.

Gen 26:14 He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him.

Gen 26:15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth.

Gen 26:16 Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go from us, for you are much mightier than we."

Gen 26:17 Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.

Gen 26:18 Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. For the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

Gen 26:19 Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

Gen 26:20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water is ours." He called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Gen 26:21 They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. He called its name Sitnah.

Gen 26:22 He left that place, and dug another well. They didn't argue over that one. He called it Rehoboth. He said, "For now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."

Gen 26:23 He went up from there to Beersheba.

Gen 26:24 Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Don't be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Abraham's sake."

Gen 26:25 He built an altar there, and called on the name of Yahweh, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac's servants dug a well.

Gen 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army.

Gen 26:27 Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?"

Gen 26:28 They said, "We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you,

Gen 26:29 that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.' You are now the blessed of Yahweh."

Gen 26:30 He made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

Gen 26:31 They rose up some time in the morning, and swore one to another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Gen 26:32 It happened the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, "We have found water."

Gen 26:33 He called it Shibah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

Gen 26:34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Gen 26:35 They grieved Isaac's and Rebekah's spirits.

Are you the pastor by Mark Copeland

2012-01-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

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

Good question; one that is necessary to proper church organization... Gary

hard to perceive, easy to understand

2012-01-25T14:25:00.000-05:00

At first glance, I thought this was Russian, then I looked a little closer. This is English, but right to left and BACKWARD. Frankly, I was a little surprised that I could read it, but it wasn't easy. I do know someone for whom it would be easy however. Brian is his name and he could read things upside down or sideways with ease. Like reading this, he was talented in many ways, especially with understanding group dynamics and predicting what people would do BEFORE they would do it. We all have our own gifts, but I must confess that the one I admire the most (which barely comes in first over the many contenders) is intelligence. So, I thought of Sergius Paulus once again...

LITV: Acts Chapter 13

[7] He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one having called Barnabas and Saul to him, he sought to hear the Word of God. [8] But Elymas, the conjurer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] But Saul, who is also Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and looking intently on him, [10] he said, O son of the Devil, full of all guile and of all cunning, enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun until a time. And instantly a mist and darkness fell on him, and going about he sought some to lead him by the hand. [12] Then seeing the thing happening, the proconsul believed, being astounded at the doctrine of the Lord.

It is fashionable today for those in Academia to look down on Christianity and portray Christians as being less than gifted with intelligence. No, that's not quite right... they think Christians are stupid. They are wrong!!! On the contrary; being able to perceive the value of eternity over this temporal existence is a true sign of understanding. Consider Sergius Paulus for example. He was a proconsul. Now, that was a position of great importance in the Roman empire; you had to have something on-the-ball to be one. He did. I know of no where else in the Bible where someone is called intelligent, not even the great counselor Ahithaphel from the old testament. When the proconsel saw the power given to Paul, he believed. And not just the power, but the doctrine as well!!! Not all of us may be blessed with great intellect or the ability to read from unusual perspectives, but we can understand truth and that is what is really necessary.

Remember this passage from the book of Corinthians:

WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 1

[26] For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; [27] but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; [28] and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: [29] that no flesh should boast before God. [30] But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: [31] that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

Rejoice in whatever gifts God has given you and be happy!! Even if you are seemingly "very ordinary", you ALWAYS HAVE THE LORD TO BOAST ABOUT and that is more important than any mere "gift"!!!!!

OT Bible Reading 1/25/12

2012-01-25T13:51:00.002-05:00

Jan. 25

Genesis 25

Gen 25:1 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.

Gen 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Gen 25:3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.

Gen 25:4 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

Gen 25:5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac,

Gen 25:6 but to the sons of Abraham's concubines, Abraham gave gifts. He sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country.

Gen 25:7 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years.

Gen 25:8 Abraham gave up the spirit, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

Gen 25:9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre,

Gen 25:10 the field which Abraham purchased of the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife.

Gen 25:11 It happened after the death of Abraham that God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

Gen 25:12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham.

Gen 25:13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

Gen 25:14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

Gen 25:15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

Gen 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.

Gen 25:17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people.

Gen 25:18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

Gen 25:19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.

Gen 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

Gen 25:21 Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Gen 25:22 The children struggled together within her. She said, "If it be so, why do I live?" She went to inquire of Yahweh.

Gen 25:23 Yahweh said to her, Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.

Gen 25:24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Gen 25:25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.

Gen 25:26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau's heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Gen 25:27 The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.

Gen 25:28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.

Gen 25:29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.

Gen 25:30 Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am famished." Therefore his name was called Edom.

Gen 25:31 Jacob said, "First, sell me your birthright."

Gen 25:32 Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?"

Gen 25:33 Jacob said, "Swear to me first." He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.

Gen 25:34 Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

NT Bible Reading 1/25/12, 1/26/12

2012-01-25T13:50:00.002-05:00

Jan. 25, 26

Matthew 13

Mat 13:1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.

Mat 13:2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.

Mat 13:3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow.

Mat 13:4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.

Mat 13:5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

Mat 13:6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.

Mat 13:7 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.

Mat 13:8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

Mat 13:9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mat 13:10 The disciples came, and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"

Mat 13:11 He answered them, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

Mat 13:12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.

Mat 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand.

Mat 13:14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 'By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive:

Mat 13:15 for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.'

Mat 13:16 "But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

Mat 13:17 For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn't see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them.

Mat 13:18 "Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.

Mat 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.

Mat 13:20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;

Mat 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Mat 13:22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Mat 13:23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty."

Mat 13:24 He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Mat 13:25 but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away.

Mat 13:26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also.

Mat 13:27 The servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did this darnel come from?'

Mat 13:28 "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?'

Mat 13:29 "But he said, 'No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, "First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

Mat 13:31 He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field;

Mat 13:32 which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches."

Mat 13:33 He spoke another parable to them. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened."

Mat 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn't speak to them,

Mat 13:35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."

Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field."

Mat 13:37 He answered them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

Mat 13:38 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.

Mat 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Mat 13:40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.

Mat 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,

Mat 13:42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Mat 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mat 13:44 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

Mat 13:45 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,

Mat 13:46 who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Mat 13:47 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind,

Mat 13:48 which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.

Mat 13:49 So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous,

Mat 13:50 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth."

Mat 13:51 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They answered him, "Yes, Lord."

Mat 13:52 He said to them, "Therefore, every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things."

Mat 13:53 It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.

Mat 13:54 Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Mat 13:55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Mat 13:56 Aren't all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?"

Mat 13:57 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house."

Mat 13:58 He didn't do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Are you ready for your journey into eternity by Mark Copeland

2012-01-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

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

The most important question I can think of... Gary

If that were true...?

2012-01-24T09:12:00.000-05:00

I do not agree with the math. If you substitute another symbol (say a ✵) for the numeric "2's", then you have ✵✵ and ✵✵. Count the ✵'s and you have 1,2,3,4. Simple, right? Yet, someone put that lie on the roof of a building; I wonder... why? I can't read minds, so I don't know; but I can guess, because I have seen

liars operate before... here is one example...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 4

[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

[4] But he answered, "“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”"

[5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,

‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”

[7] Jesus said to him, "“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”"

[8] Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. [9] He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

[10] Then Jesus said to him, "“Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”"

Satan knew Jesus was hungry and with that comes a natural desire for self-preservation. And as every civilized person knows, you need money to survive in this world. Satan also knew who Jesus was and IF he could put a wedge between Jesus and his heavenly father by planting doubt in any of these three areas; then he would succeed just as he had with Adam and Eve. But Jesus knew both his Father and the scriptures and defeated Satan at every turn. He understood the purpose of a lie; to entice disbelief, to twist reality into something it isn't. This applies not only to math on the roof of a barn, but in understanding the Scriptures as well. If you know math, then you won't be fooled and if you know the Scriptures and the one who gave them... you just ignore the "if's". That the stuff faithfulness is made of!!!