7/21/12

T.G.F.A.D.


Never heard this one before.  I like it. Why? Because it tells me that prayer is not just something we do on Sunday; it is a state of mind.  And we should appreciate each day that God has given to us.  Paul puts it this way...

1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5
16 Rejoice always.  17 Pray without ceasing.  18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 

If I could improve one thing about myself, it would be patience.  When I was younger, I was a very, very impatient person.  I am much better now, but still, there is a lot of room for growth.  I believe prayer has helped me change and having an attitude of prayer (especially grateful prayer) helps me realize how close God really is to me.  And, as I age, I truly begin to realize that there aren't that many days left and I should appreciate every single one of them!!! T.G.F.A.D. will be added to my prayers from now on.... how about you?

July 21 1 Chronicles 24-26


July 21
1 Chronicles 24-26

1Ch 24:1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
1Ch 24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
1Ch 24:3 David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
1Ch 24:4 There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight.
1Ch 24:5 Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
1Ch 24:6 Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
1Ch 24:7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
1Ch 24:8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1Ch 24:9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
1Ch 24:10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
1Ch 24:11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
1Ch 24:12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
1Ch 24:13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
1Ch 24:14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
1Ch 24:15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
1Ch 24:16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
1Ch 24:17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
1Ch 24:18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
1Ch 24:19 This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
1Ch 24:20 Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
1Ch 24:21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.
1Ch 24:22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
1Ch 24:23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
1Ch 24:24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.
1Ch 24:25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
1Ch 24:26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah: Beno.
1Ch 24:27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
1Ch 24:28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
1Ch 24:29 Of Kish; the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel.
1Ch 24:30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers' houses.
1Ch 24:31 These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
1Ch 25:1 Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals: and the number of those who did the work according to their service was:
1Ch 25:2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.
1Ch 25:3 Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh.
1Ch 25:4 Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
1Ch 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
1Ch 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Yahweh, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.
1Ch 25:7 The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.
1Ch 25:8 They cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
1Ch 25:9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah; he and his brothers and sons were twelve:
1Ch 25:10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:20 for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:21 for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:22 for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:28 for the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:29 for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:30 for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
1Ch 25:31 for the four and twentieth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
1Ch 26:1 For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1Ch 26:2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
1Ch 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
1Ch 26:4 Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth,
1Ch 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
1Ch 26:6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor.
1Ch 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
1Ch 26:8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service; sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
1Ch 26:9 Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.
1Ch 26:10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief),
1Ch 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
1Ch 26:12 Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the house of Yahweh.
1Ch 26:13 They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate.
1Ch 26:14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
1Ch 26:15 To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse.
1Ch 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch.
1Ch 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two.
1Ch 26:18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
1Ch 26:19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
1Ch 26:20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
1Ch 26:21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.
1Ch 26:22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the house of Yahweh.
1Ch 26:23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites:
1Ch 26:24 and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures.
1Ch 26:25 His brothers: of Eliezer came Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son.
1Ch 26:26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers' houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.
1Ch 26:27 Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of Yahweh.
1Ch 26:28 All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers.
1Ch 26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
1Ch 26:30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king.
1Ch 26:31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers' houses. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
1Ch 26:32 His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers' houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the attitudes Paul had in writing his first epistle

2) To understand the need for proper follow-up toward one who has 
   reacted favorably to church discipline

3) To see the different effects the gospel can have on people

SUMMARY

Paul continues to defend his integrity by explaining that his change of
plans was an effort to prevent his coming to them in sorrow.  Indeed,
his previous letter was written for the same reason, and with much
anguish of heart (1-4).  Speaking of grief, he reminds them that the
one who caused most of it had properly repented after their
disciplinary actions, and they should be careful to forgive and comfort
the person.  Paul himself was willing to forgive the penitent offender,
because he knew how Satan could easily take advantage of their
situation (5-11).

He then reveals the anxiety of trying to find Titus, which prompted his
leaving an "open door" in Troas to go on to Macedonia (12-13).  He will
return to the subject of finding Titus and the comfort he received upon
doing so (7:5-7), but at this point Paul begins vindicating his 
ministry as an apostle of Christ.  With thanks to God, Paul describes 
the "triumphant" nature of his ministry, in which God leads him as in a
victory procession.  Carrying the imagery of a victory procession a
little further (in which it was common to have incense as part of the 
parade), Paul views himself and his work as the "fragrance of Christ" 
which to those being saved is an "aroma of life", but to those who are
perishing it is an "aroma of death" (14-16b).  Realizing his own 
insufficiency for such things, he speaks not as those who "peddle" the 
Word of God, but with sincerity and with an awareness that it comes 
from God, and is in the sight of God (16c-17).

OUTLINE

I. PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS INTEGRITY CONTINUES (1-13)

   A. THE REASON FOR HIS DELAY (1-4)
      1. He was determined not to come to them in sorrow (1-2)
      2. His previous letter he wrote in sorrow, lest when he came 
         there would be sorrow and not joy for both him and them (3-4)

   B. FORGIVENESS FOR THE OFFENDER (5-11)
      1. Speaking of sorrow, much of their grief was caused by one man
         (5)
      2. However, their discipline was effective and the penitent 
         offender should be forgiven and reassured of their love for 
         him (6-8)
      3. His previous letter was a test of their obedience, and he is
         willing to forgive those they have forgiven, lest Satan take
         advantage of their situation (9-11)

   C. HIS CONCERN FOR THEM (12-13)
      1. In Troas, the Lord had given him an "open door" to preach the
         gospel (12)
      2. But with no word from Titus, anxiety for their situation 
         prompted him to leave for Macedonia (13)

II. THE "TRIUMPHANT" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (14-17)

   A. ALWAYS LED IN TRIUMPH BY GOD IN CHRIST (14a)
      1. Paul expresses thanksgiving to God
      2. The reason:  for leading them in a triumphal procession 
         similar to that enjoyed by a military leader after a victory

   B. THROUGH THEM "FRAGRANCE" IS DIFFUSED (14b-16)
      1. God diffuses the "fragrance of His knowledge" in every place
         (14b)
      2. To God, they are the "fragrance of Christ" (15)
         a. To those who are perishing, they are an "aroma of death"
            (16a)
         b. To those who are being saved, they are an "aroma of life"
            (16b)
      3. He realizes his dependency upon God for sufficiency to be such
         things (16c-17)
         a. Unlike many, who "peddle" the Word of God (17a)
         b. In contrast, he speaks sincerely, as from God, and in the
            sight of God (17b)
         
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Paul's defense of his integrity continues (1-13)
   - The "triumphant" nature of Paul's ministry (14-17)

2) What was Paul determined not to do? (1)
   - To come to them in sorrow

3) Why did he write his previous letter? (3)
   - Lest when he came he would have sorrow over those who ought to
     give him joy

4) How did Paul write as he penned his letter? (4)
   - Out of much affliction and anguish of heart, and with many tears

5) What did Paul want them to do with the man who had sinned, yet 
   repented after their disciplinary action toward him? (7-8)
   - To forgive and comfort him
   - To reaffirm their love to him

6) What was one purpose in writing to them as Paul had done? (9)
   - To test their obedience

7) Why was Paul so willing to forgive the offender once the Corinthians
   had forgiven him? (10-11)
   - Lest Satan take advantage of the situation

8) When Paul came to Troas to preach the gospel, what did he find? (12)
   - An "open door" provided by the Lord

9) Who did he not find that troubled him greatly?  Where did he then 
   go? (13)
   - Titus
   - Macedonia

10) Why does Paul give God thanks? (14)
   - For always leading him in triumph in Christ

11) How does Paul describe God working through him? (14)
   - As diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every place

12) In what two ways, and to what two groups of people, does Paul 
    describe himself as "the fragrance of Christ"? (15-17)
   - An "aroma of life to life" to those who are being saved
   - An "aroma of death to death" to those who are perishing

13) How do many misuse the Word of God?  How did Paul speak the Word?
    (17)
   - As "peddling" (using it to make profit)
   - With sincerity, as from God, and in the sight of God in Christ