10/28/12

How to wash a cat


I chuckled when I read and then re-read these instructions!  I would only add that before step number one, you make sure that the toilet is spotlessly clean.  Animals do have a mind of their own and sometimes they do things they should not.  For example, lately my parakeet won't let me pet it without trying to bite me.  It should know better than to bite the hand that feeds it, but it doesn't; its just a bird and has a bird-brain.  Humans with all our brain power sometimes don't do what's right and this is where God steps in...


Jeremiah, Chapter 4
4 Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn so that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. 

Galatians, Chapter 4
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,  5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.  6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba,Father!”  7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
 
Titus, Chapter 3
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,  5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,  6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;  7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
  

God has made a way for us to be clean, but for us, its voluntary. Jesus showed the way and our response is to have faith and obey.  Fortunately for us, Jesus has paid the price and so far I have never seen anyone add soap to the baptistery.

Oct. 28 Isaiah 5-8


Oct. 28
Isaiah 5-8

Isa 5:1 Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill.
Isa 5:2 He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 "Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall of it, and it will be trampled down.
Isa 5:6 I will lay it a wasteland. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it."
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry of distress.
Isa 5:8 Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, until there is no room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land!
Isa 5:9 In my ears, Yahweh of Armies says: "Surely many houses will be desolate, even great and beautiful, unoccupied.
Isa 5:10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield an ephah."
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them!
Isa 5:12 The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don't regard the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.
Isa 5:13 Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honorable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst.
Isa 5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.
Isa 5:15 So man is brought low, mankind is humbled, and the eyes of the arrogant ones are humbled;
Isa 5:16 but Yahweh of Armies is exalted in justice, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness.
Isa 5:17 Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich.
Isa 5:18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and wickedness as with cart rope;
Isa 5:19 Who say, "Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!"
Isa 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isa 5:22 Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, and champions at mixing strong drink;
Isa 5:23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!
Isa 5:24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of Armies, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 5:25 Therefore Yahweh's anger burns against his people, and he has stretched out his hand against them, and has struck them. The mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is still stretched out.
Isa 5:26 He will lift up a banner to the nations from far, and he will whistle for them from the end of the earth. Behold, they will come speedily and swiftly.
Isa 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the belt of their waist be untied, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
Isa 5:28 whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs will be like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.
Isa 5:29 Their roaring will be like a lioness. They will roar like young lions. Yes, they shall roar, and seize their prey and carry it off, and there will be no one to deliver.
Isa 5:30 They will roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea. If one looks to the land behold, darkness and distress. The light is darkened in its clouds.
 

Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.
Isa 6:2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew.
Isa 6:3 One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!"
Isa 6:4 The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isa 6:5 Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!"
Isa 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.
Isa 6:7 He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven."
Isa 6:8 I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!"
Isa 6:9 He said, "Go, and tell this people, 'You hear indeed, but don't understand; and you see indeed, but don't perceive.'
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed."
Isa 6:11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" He answered, "Until cities are waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste,
Isa 6:12 And Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
Isa 6:13 If there is a tenth left in it, that also will in turn be consumed: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remains when they are felled; so the holy seed is its stock."
 

Isa 7:1 It happened in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
Isa 7:2 It was told the house of David, saying, "Syria is allied with Ephraim." His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.
Isa 7:3 Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller's field.
Isa 7:4 Tell him, 'Be careful, and keep calm. Don't be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
Isa 7:5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying,
Isa 7:6 "Let's go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let's divide it among ourselves, and set up a king in its midst, even the son of Tabeel."
Isa 7:7 This is what the Lord Yahweh says: "It shall not stand, neither shall it happen."
Isa 7:8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people;
Isa 7:9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.' "
Isa 7:10 Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
Isa 7:11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."
Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."
Isa 7:13 He said, "Listen now, house of David: Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 7:15 He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Isa 7:16 For before the child knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor shall be forsaken.
Isa 7:17 Yahweh will bring on you, on your people, and on your father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
Isa 7:18 It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Isa 7:19 They shall come, and shall all rest in the desolate valleys, in the clefts of the rocks, on all thorn hedges, and on all pastures.
Isa 7:20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.
Isa 7:21 It shall happen in that day that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep;
Isa 7:22 and it shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left in the midst of the land.
Isa 7:23 It will happen in that day that every place where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver shekels, shall be for briers and thorns.
Isa 7:24 People will go there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns.
Isa 7:25 All the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, you shall not come there for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep."
 

Isa 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's pen, 'For Maher Shalal Hash Baz;'
Isa 8:2 and I will take for myself faithful witnesses to testify: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."
Isa 8:3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said Yahweh to me, "Call his name 'Maher Shalal Hash Baz.'
Isa 8:4 For before the child knows how to say, 'My father,' and, 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria."
Isa 8:5 Yahweh spoke to me yet again, saying,
Isa 8:6 "Because this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
Isa 8:7 now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his glory. It will come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks.
Isa 8:8 It will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.
Isa 8:9 Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered!
Isa 8:10 Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it will not stand: for God is with us."
Isa 8:11 For Yahweh spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
Isa 8:12 "Don't say, 'A conspiracy!' concerning all about which this people say, 'A conspiracy!' neither fear their threats, nor be terrorized.
Isa 8:13 Yahweh of Armies is who you must regard as holy. He is the one you must fear. He is the one you must dread.
Isa 8:14 He will be a sanctuary, but for both houses of Israel, he will be a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken, be snared, and be captured."
Isa 8:16 Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples.
Isa 8:17 I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Yahweh of Armies, who dwells in Mount Zion.
Isa 8:19 When they tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?
Isa 8:20 Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don't speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
Isa 8:21 They will pass through it, sore distressed and hungry; and it will happen that when they are hungry, they will worry, and curse by their king and by their God. They will turn their faces upward,
Isa 8:22 and look to the earth, and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

Oct. 28 1 Thessalonians 5


Oct. 28
1 Thessalonians 5

1Th 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
1Th 5:4 But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
1Th 5:5 You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,
1Th 5:6 so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
1Th 5:12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
1Th 5:13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
1Th 5:15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
1Th 5:19 Don't quench the Spirit.
1Th 5:20 Don't despise prophesies.
1Th 5:21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
1Th 5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
1Th 5:25 Brothers, pray for us.
1Th 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
1Th 5:27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
1Th 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1 John, Chapter 4, Mark Copeland

                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN"

                              Chapter Four

John cautions his readers not to believe everyone who claims to be led
by the Spirit, but to test them (1-6).  He then exhorts them to manifest
brotherly love in keeping with the character and example of God’s love
as demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son (7-21).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  Distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error

   *  How God’s love should impact our love for one another

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Test the spirits - 1Jn 4:1-6
   - God is love - 1Jn 4:7-21

2) Why should one not believe every spirit? (1)
   - Because there are many false prophets

3) If one is truly led by the Spirit of God, what will they confess? (2)
   - That Jesus Christ has come in the flesh

4) What did John say about the coming of Antichrist? (3)
   - It was already in the world at the time John was writing

5) What did John write about their ability to overcome? (4)
   - He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world

6) How does one discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of
   error? (6)
   - By whoever listens to the apostles (cf. 1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13)

7) Why should we love one another? (7-8)
   - Love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God

8) How was God’s love for us manifested? (9-10)
   - By sending His Son into the world to be the propitiation for our
     sins

9) How can we ensure that God will abide in us? (12-16)
   - By loving one another

10) When we love one another as we should, what does it give us? (17-18)
   - Boldness in the day of judgment; i.e., no fear

11) If we claim to love God, but hate our brother, what does that make
    us? Why? (20)
   - Liars; if we do not love someone we’ve seen, how can we love Him
     we’ve not seen?