7/22/12

When a rainbow is not a rainbow...


At first glance, I thought this was a rainbow.  I know that it is the aurora borealis, but sometimes when you look at something, it reminds you of something else.  And that is exactly what happened here.  This phenomenon is caused by the rays of the sun interacting with our upper atmosphere causing this display!  A rainbow is an entirely different exhibition of interactions.  All this made me think of the division that exists within "Christianity".  It seems that everyone wants to do their "own thing"; with no consideration (or in some cases, very little) of what the Bible has to say.  Instead of using Bible terms for something as simple as the name of the group, they use names like Lutheran, catholic, Presbyterian, etc..  Instead of following God, many follow men, like in the instance mentioned in this passage from 1 Corinthians...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 1
 10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.  12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.”  13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

Like the picture above, they might look somewhat like the genuine article, but they are not!!!  The foundation for the true church is found in the Bible and its Jesus and the teachings of his apostles.  If you can't find a book, chapter and verse for what you believe or what you do.... STOP, NOW!!!  There are many extremely intelligent people out there who can make white seem black, or the other way round... at will.  Do not be fooled, go back to the Bible for your beliefs.  Remember, a rainbow is a rainbow and not something else.  Question everything, prove everything and let the Bible be your guide!!!

July 22 1 Chronicles 27-29


July 22
1 Chronicles 27-29

1Ch 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers' houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year--of every division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:3 He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
1Ch 27:4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:5 The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his division was Ammizabad his son.
1Ch 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:8 The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were Twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1Ch 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah:
1Ch 27:17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok:
1Ch 27:18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
1Ch 27:19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel:
1Ch 27:20 of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
1Ch 27:21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
1Ch 27:22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
1Ch 27:23 But David didn't take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
1Ch 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but didn't finish; and there came wrath for this on Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
1Ch 27:25 Over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah:
1Ch 27:26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
1Ch 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
1Ch 27:28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
1Ch 27:29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
1Ch 27:30 and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
1Ch 27:31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
1Ch 27:32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
1Ch 27:33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend:
1Ch 27:34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king's army was Joab.
1Ch 28:1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies who served the king by division, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.
1Ch 28:2 Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, Hear me, my brothers, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building.
1Ch 28:3 But God said to me, You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood.
1Ch 28:4 However Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel;
1Ch 28:5 Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Yahweh over Israel.
1Ch 28:6 He said to me, Solomon your son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
1Ch 28:7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day.
1Ch 28:8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
1Ch 28:9 You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
1Ch 28:10 Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
1Ch 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of its houses, and of its treasuries, and of the upper rooms of it, and of the inner chambers of it, and of the place of the mercy seat;
1Ch 28:12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;
1Ch 28:13 also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the vessels of service in the house of Yahweh;
1Ch 28:14 of gold by weight for the vessels of gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; of silver for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service;
1Ch 28:15 by weight also for the lampstands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver, silver by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lampstand;
1Ch 28:16 and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver;
1Ch 28:17 and the forks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl;
1Ch 28:18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, even the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh.
1Ch 28:19 All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern.
1Ch 28:20 David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: don't be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished.
1Ch 28:21 Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with you in all manner of work every willing man who has skill, for any manner of service: also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.
1Ch 29:1 David the king said to all the assembly, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God.
1Ch 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, and of various colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
1Ch 29:3 In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
1Ch 29:4 even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses;
1Ch 29:5 of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Yahweh?
1Ch 29:6 Then the princes of the fathers' houses, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly;
1Ch 29:7 and they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents.
1Ch 29:8 They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
1Ch 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
1Ch 29:10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
1Ch 29:11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.
1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all; and in your hand is power and might; and it is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all.
1Ch 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name.
1Ch 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
1Ch 29:15 For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
1Ch 29:16 Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes of your hand, and is all your own.
1Ch 29:17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, that are present here, offer willingly to you.
1Ch 29:18 Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart to you;
1Ch 29:19 and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.
1Ch 29:20 David said to all the assembly, Now bless Yahweh your God. All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king.
1Ch 29:21 They sacrificed sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel,
1Ch 29:22 and ate and drink before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to Yahweh to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
1Ch 29:23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
1Ch 29:24 All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of king David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.
1Ch 29:25 Yahweh magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
1Ch 29:26 Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
1Ch 29:27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
1Ch 29:28 He died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his place.
1Ch 29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,
1Ch 29:30 with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

Jul. 22, 23 Acts 14


Jul. 22, 23
Acts 14

Act 14:1 It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
Act 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
Act 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Act 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Act 14:5 When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,
Act 14:6 they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
Act 14:7 There they preached the Good News.
Act 14:8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
Act 14:9 He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
Act 14:10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" He leaped up and walked.
Act 14:11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
Act 14:12 They called Barnabas "Jupiter," and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief speaker.
Act 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
Act 14:14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
Act 14:15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;
Act 14:16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
Act 14:17 Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
Act 14:18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.
Act 14:19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Act 14:20 But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.
Act 14:21 When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Act 14:22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.
Act 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
Act 14:24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
Act 14:25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
Act 14:26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
Act 14:27 When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.
Act 14:28 They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

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


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To learn how one becomes an "epistle of Christ"

2) To see the contrast between the old and new covenants

3) To appreciate the role of the Spirit in the new covenant, and in
   producing our transformation

SUMMARY

Having just begun vindicating his ministry as an apostle of Jesus
Christ, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he really needs no letter of
accreditation, for they are his epistles of commendation.  Through his
ministry, in which he had written upon their hearts with the Spirit of
the living God, they themselves have become an epistle of Christ (1-3).
This he says, with full realization that it is God who has made him
sufficient as a minister of the new covenant, which is a ministry of
the Spirit who gives life (4-6).

Paul then proceeds to contrast the new covenant with the old covenant,
to illustrate the glorious nature of his ministry.  With Exodus
34:29-35 as his reference, he equates the glory of the old covenant
with the glory on Moses' face that was temporary.  But if the old
covenant, described as one of death and condemnation, had glory, then
how much more glorious is the new covenant, a ministry of the Spirit
and of righteousness which is not passing away (7-11)!

Paul then declares that those who listen only to the Old Testament
still have a veil on their hearts (12-15).  But when we turn to the
Lord (whom Paul equates with the Spirit), the veil is taken away and
there is liberty.  Also, by beholding the glory of the Lord with
unveiled face we are being transformed into the same glorious image by
the Spirit of the Lord (16-18)

OUTLINE

I. THE "ACCREDITED" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (1-3)

   A. PAUL HAS NO NEED FOR LETTERS OF COMMENDATION (1)
      1. He does not mean by his words to commend himself (1a)
      2. For Paul does not need, as might others, letters of 
         recommendation (1b)

   B. THE CORINTHIANS ARE PAUL'S EPISTLES OF COMMENDATION (2-3)
      1. They are evidence of his handiwork, which all can know and 
         read (2)
      2. They are an "epistle of Christ", upon whose hearts Paul has
         written with the Spirit of the living God (3)

II. THE "GLORIOUS" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (4-18)

   A. HIS TRUST AND SUFFICIENCY IS FROM GOD (4-6)
      1. His trust is not based upon confidence in himself, but in 
         Christ and the sufficiency that God provides (4-5)
      2. God has made him sufficient as a minister of the new covenant
         (6)
         a. A covenant of the Spirit, not of the letter
         b. A covenant that gives life, not death

   B. THE GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT (7-18)
      1. In contrast with the Old Covenant, written and engraved on 
         stones (7-11)
         a. The ministry of death vs. the ministry of the Spirit (7-8)
         b. The ministry of condemnation vs. the ministry of 
            righteousness (9-10)
         c. That which is passing away vs. that which remains (11)
      2. In comparison with the Lawgiver, Moses (12-16)
         a. With the more glorious nature of the new covenant, Paul 
            could speak with great boldness (12)
         b. With the reading of Moses (the Old Testament), however, a
            veil remains on the heart (12-15)
            1) An allusion to the events of Exodus 34:29-35
            2) With the veil on Moses' face, the children of Israel 
               could not see that the glory of his face was fading (13)
            3) Israel's inability to see then is like their inability
               today, unless they come to Christ (14-15)
         c. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed, just
            as Moses did when he returned to the presence of the Lord
            (16)
      3. Summary explanation (17-18)
         a. Paul explains that the Lord of verse 16 is the Spirit of 
            the Lord, who provides liberty (17)
         b. When we (like Moses) are able to behold with unveiled face
            the glory of the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord transforms us
            into the same image (18)
         
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The "accredited" nature of Paul's ministry (1-3)
   - The "glorious" nature of Paul's ministry (4-18)

2) Who was Paul's "epistle of commendation"? (1-2)
   - The Corinthians themselves

3) What writing instrument had Paul used to make the Corinthians an
   "epistle of Christ"?  And upon what had he written? (3)
   - The Spirit of the living God
   - Tablets of flesh, of the heart

4) Who made Paul sufficient as a minister of the new covenant? (5-6a)
   - God

5) Of what is the new covenant?  And what does it give? (6b)
   - The Spirit
   - Life

6) How is the "old covenant" described in verses 7-9?
   - The ministry of death, written and engraved on stones
   - The ministry of condemnation
   - Glorious

7) How is the "new covenant" described in verses 7-9?
   - The ministry of the Spirit
   - The ministry of righteousness
   - More glorious

8) What is said of the glory of the old covenant when compared with the
   glory of the new covenant? (10)
   - It had no glory

9) How else are the old and new covenants described in verse 11?
   - The old covenant is that which is "passing away"
   - The new covenant is that which "remains"

10) What remains on the heart when only the Old Testament is read?
    (14-15)
   - A veil

11) What happens when one turns to the Lord? (16)
   - The veil is taken away

12) In turning to the Lord, who is it one is actually turning to, and
    what does one find? (17)
   - The Spirit of the Lord
   - Liberty

13) As we behold the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, what
    happens? (18)
   - We are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory

14) By whom does this transformation take place? (18)
   - The Spirit of the Lord