Hugs....

Today's message is a short one; God is LOVE!!!  To all of you who know me (or who are getting to know me) I just wanted to extend the warmest of greeting to you from the God of LOVE!!!!

I John, Chapter 4

 8 He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. 

It was 1973 and I came across this verse and others like it declaring the LOVE of God.  So, I put it to the test.  There was a man who was trying to do everything he could to have me terminated at the company where I was employed and so I returned kindness for the daily evil he sent my way.  We not only became friends, we became VERY GOOD FRIENDS!!!!  Good triumphs over evil!!! Lesson learned!!! Sometime later I became a Christian and the LOVE God gave me, I share with you.  Hugs are contagious, give some!!!

July 20 1 Chronicles 22-23

July 20

1 Chronicles 22-23

1Ch 22:1 Then David said, This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.

1Ch 22:2 David commanded to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build the house of God.

1Ch 22:3 David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight;

1Ch 22:4 and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.

1Ch 22:5 David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

1Ch 22:6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel.

1Ch 22:7 David said to Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God.

1Ch 22:8 But the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars: you shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.

1Ch 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days:

1Ch 22:10 he shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

1Ch 22:11 Now, my son, Yahweh be with you; and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you.

1Ch 22:12 May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God.

1Ch 22:13 Then you shall prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, and of good courage. Don't be afraid, neither be dismayed.

1Ch 22:14 Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Yahweh one hundred thousand talents of gold, and one million talents of silver, and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and you may add to them.

1Ch 22:15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work:

1Ch 22:16 of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and Yahweh be with you.

1Ch 22:17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,

1Ch 22:18 Isn't Yahweh your God with you? Hasn't he given you rest on every side? for he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh, and before his people.

1Ch 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God; arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh.

1Ch 23:1 Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

1Ch 23:2 He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.

1Ch 23:3 The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.

1Ch 23:4 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Yahweh; and six thousand were officers and judges;

1Ch 23:5 and four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made, said David, for giving praise.

1Ch 23:6 David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1Ch 23:7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.

1Ch 23:8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

1Ch 23:9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Ladan.

1Ch 23:10 The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.

1Ch 23:11 Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah didn't have many sons; therefore they became a fathers' house in one reckoning.

1Ch 23:12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.

1Ch 23:13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before Yahweh, to minister to him, and to bless in his name, forever.

1Ch 23:14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi.

1Ch 23:15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.

1Ch 23:16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.

1Ch 23:17 The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

1Ch 23:18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief.

1Ch 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

1Ch 23:20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.

1Ch 23:21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

1Ch 23:22 Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them to wife.

1Ch 23:23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

1Ch 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers' houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Yahweh, from twenty years old and upward.

1Ch 23:25 For David said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever:

1Ch 23:26 and also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service.

1Ch 23:27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward.

1Ch 23:28 For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Yahweh, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God;

1Ch 23:29 for the show bread also, and for the fine flour for a meal offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all manner of measure and size;

1Ch 23:30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening;

1Ch 23:31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Yahweh;

1Ch 23:32 and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, and the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the house of Yahweh.

Jul. 20, 21 Acts 13

Jul. 20, 21

Acts 13

Act 13:1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Act 13:2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them."

Act 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Act 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.

Act 13:5 When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.

Act 13:6 When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,

Act 13:7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.

Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.

Act 13:9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,

Act 13:10 and said, "Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Act 13:11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!" Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Act 13:12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Act 13:13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

Act 13:14 But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

Act 13:15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak."

Act 13:16 Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.

Act 13:17 The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.

Act 13:18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.

Act 13:19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.

Act 13:20 After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.

Act 13:21 Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

Act 13:22 When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

Act 13:23 From this man's seed, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,

Act 13:24 before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.

Act 13:25 As John was fulfilling his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

Act 13:26 Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.

Act 13:27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.

Act 13:28 Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.

Act 13:29 When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

Act 13:30 But God raised him from the dead,

Act 13:31 and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.

Act 13:32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers,

Act 13:33 that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son. Today I have become your father.'

Act 13:34 "Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

Act 13:35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, 'You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.'

Act 13:36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.

Act 13:37 But he whom God raised up saw no decay.

Act 13:38 Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,

Act 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Act 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:

Act 13:41 'Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.' "

Act 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Act 13:43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Act 13:44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

Act 13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, "It was necessary that God's word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Act 13:47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.' "

Act 13:48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Act 13:49 The Lord's word was spread abroad throughout all the region.

Act 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.

Act 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

Act 13:52 The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.

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

                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand the source and proper use of our comfort

2) To appreciate the value of prayer in working with God, and in 
   producing thanksgiving in others

3) To see what are proper grounds for "boasting"

SUMMARY

Paul is joined by Timothy as he begins this epistle with greetings to
the church in Corinth, and to all the brethren in Achaia (1-2).  A
feature common in Paul's epistles is to start with a few words of 
praise and/or thanksgiving, and in this epistle he includes both.  He 
first praises God for the comfort offered through Christ in the midst 
of tribulation, and expresses his confidence that both the sufferings 
and comfort he receives because of Christ can work to the benefit of 
the brethren at Corinth (3-7).  He then informs them of the wonderful 
deliverance God provided in Asia (perhaps referring to the "Diana 
incident" in Acts 19:23-41), telling them their prayers were 
instrumental as well, and that this will lead many people to give 
thanks (8-11).

Paul's first order of business after his salutation and thanksgiving is
to offer a defense of his integrity.  He begins with a profession of
sincerity and simplicity, both in his conduct and his writing, and then
reminds them that they will have good reason to "boast" in each other 
when Christ comes (12-14).  Evidently his sincerity had come in 
question because Paul had made a change of plans concerning his visit 
to them.  Therefore he explains that his change was not due to 
fickleness, but as God and His promises in Christ are trustworthy, so 
is Paul, for God has anointed and sealed him with the Holy Spirit 
(15-22).  With God as his witness, Paul states that his change of plans
was an effort to spare them.  This is not to suggest Paul exercises
some sort of domination over them, for he considers himself as a fellow
worker for their joy (23-24)

OUTLINE

I. SALUTATION & THANKSGIVING (1-11)

   A. SALUTATION (1-2)
      1. From Paul and Timothy (1a)
      2. To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints in Achaia
         (1b)
      3. Grace and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
         (2)

   B. THANKSGIVING (3-11)
      1. For comfort in the midst of affliction (3-7)
         a. From the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (3)
         b. So that we may comfort others in their trouble (4)
         c. Which like the sufferings of Christ, our comfort abounds
            through Christ, and both work for our salvation (5-7)
      2. For deliverance in Asia (8-11)
         a. Burdened beyond measure, Paul had despaired of life, and 
            was left with only his trust in God (8-9)
         b. But with the help of their prayers, God delivered him from
            death, resulting in much thanksgiving (10-11)

II. PAUL DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY (12-24)

   A. HIS PROFESSION OF SINCERITY (12-14)
      1. In good conscience he has conducted himself with simplicity 
         and godly sincerity toward them, and continues to do so in his
         writing to them (12-13a)
      2. He hopes they understand that they have reason to boast in 
         each other when the Lord returns (13b-14)

   B. THE CHANGED PLAN (15-22)
      1. His original plan was visit them on his way to Macedonia, and
         to return on his way to Judea (15-16)
      2. His planning was not done lightly (17-22)
         a. It was not done according to the flesh, in an unreliable 
            manner (17)
         b. But as God is faithful, and the promises of God in Jesus 
            are reliable, so were his words to them (18-20)
         c. Indeed, Paul (along with Silvanus and Timothy) has been...
            1) Established with them in Christ and anointed by God (21)
            2) Sealed by God, and given the Spirit in their hearts as a
               deposit (22)

   C. REASON FOR THE DELAYED VISIT (23-24)
      1. To spare them, as God can confirm (23)
      2. This is not to suggest an attitude of domination over them,
         for he views himself as one working for their joy, and he 
         acknowledges that they stand on the basis of their faith (24)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Salutation and thanksgiving (1-11)
   - Paul defends his integrity (12-24)

2) Who joins Paul in writing this epistle? (1)
   - Timothy

3) What two groups of people does Paul address in his salutation (1)
   - The church of God at Corinth
   - All the saints who are in all Achaia (Greece)

4) How does Paul describe the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?
   (3)
   - The Father of mercies and God of all comfort

5) What is the proper use of comfort we receive from God? (4)
   - To comfort those who are in any trouble

6) What two things abound in Christ? (5)
   - Sufferings
   - Consolation (comfort)

7) Where had Paul experienced some trouble?  How serious was it? (8-9)
   - In Asia (modern day Turkey)
   - Such that he despaired of life, and could only trust in God who 
     raises the dead

8) What had worked together with God in providing deliverance?  What
   other effect did it have? (11)
   - Their prayers for him
   - Thanksgiving to be given by many people on his behalf

9) In what could Paul "boast"? (12)
   - The clear conscience that his conduct in the world was with 
     simplicity and godly sincerity

10) What could Paul and the brethren in Corinth look forward to 
    boasting in, when Christ comes again? (14)
   - Each other

11) What appears to be the reason Paul's integrity was in question?
    (15-17)
   - A change of plans in visiting them

12) Paul professes that his word is as faithful as what two things? 
   (18-20)
   - God
   - The promises of God in Christ

13) What assurances does Paul offer that he is faithful? (21-22)
   - That God has established and anointed him, and sealed him by 
     giving him the Holy Spirit in his heart as a deposit

14) Why had Paul changed his plans about coming to Corinth? (23)
   - To spare them

Stupidity test....

Reminds me of the Movie "Forrest Gump".  Remember, "Stupid is as stupid does"?  Which made me ask myself the question:Does the Bible refer to anyone as "Stupid"?  A quick concordance search found the following verse...

Proverbs, Chapter 12

 1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.

We all say and do things without thinking.  We are human, after all.  But one of the major differences between human beings happens when someone points out our actions.  Do we dismiss the help of others, or do we listen and look for the truth in their words?  A stupid person will not listen because they already know everything and are unwilling to learn.  Those who love to learn will listen and learn from others!!!  There are limits however, as the comic above illustrates!  If doing something as foolish as testing stupidity costs $100 AND YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT.... you are in BIG TROUBLE!!!  Today would be a good day to determine to listen to what others say.  Who know, they might actually HELP YOU!!!!

July 19 1 Chronicles 19-21

July 19

1 Chronicles 19-21

1Ch 19:1 It happened after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.

1Ch 19:2 David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

1Ch 19:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Haven't his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?

1Ch 19:4 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

1Ch 19:5 Then there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.

1Ch 19:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Arammaacah, and out of Zobah.

1Ch 19:7 So they hired them thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

1Ch 19:8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men.

1Ch 19:9 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city: and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.

1Ch 19:10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.

1Ch 19:11 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon.

1Ch 19:12 He said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.

1Ch 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Yahweh do that which seems him good.

1Ch 19:14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him.

1Ch 19:15 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

1Ch 19:16 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

1Ch 19:17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came on them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

1Ch 19:18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the army.

1Ch 19:19 When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

1Ch 20:1 It happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.

1Ch 20:2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David's head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.

1Ch 20:3 He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

1Ch 20:4 It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.

1Ch 20:5 There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

1Ch 20:6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.

1Ch 20:7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother killed him.

1Ch 20:8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

1Ch 21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

1Ch 21:2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them.

1Ch 21:3 Joab said, Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are: but, my lord the king, aren't they all my lord's servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?

1Ch 21:4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.

1Ch 21:5 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword.

1Ch 21:6 But he didn't count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

1Ch 21:7 God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel.

1Ch 21:8 David said to God, I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing: but now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.

1Ch 21:9 Yahweh spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,

1Ch 21:10 Go and speak to David, saying, Thus says Yahweh, I offer you three things: choose one of them, that I may do it to you.

1Ch 21:11 So Gad came to David, and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, Take your choice:

1Ch 21:12 either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.

1Ch 21:13 David said to Gad, I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Yahweh; for very great are his mercies: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

1Ch 21:14 So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel; and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

1Ch 21:15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, It is enough; now stay your hand. The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1Ch 21:16 David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.

1Ch 21:17 David said to God, Isn't it I who commanded the people to be numbered? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father's house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued.

1Ch 21:18 Then the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to tell David, that David should go up, and raise an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1Ch 21:19 David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of Yahweh.

1Ch 21:20 Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.

1Ch 21:21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

1Ch 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar to Yahweh: for the full price you shall give it to me, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.

1Ch 21:23 Ornan said to David, Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: behold, I give you the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering; I give it all.

1Ch 21:24 King David said to Ornan, No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost.

1Ch 21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

1Ch 21:26 David built there an altar to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering.

1Ch 21:27 Yahweh commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath.

1Ch 21:28 At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.

1Ch 21:29 For the tabernacle of Yahweh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon.

1Ch 21:30 But David couldn't go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Introduction by Mark Copeland

                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  Paul, the apostle, along with Timothy (1:1)

PLACE OF WRITING:  Somewhere in MACEDONIA, while Paul was on his way
to make another visit to Corinth.  This would be during his third 
missionary journey, in a part of which Luke says very little (cf. Ac 
20:1-2).

TIME OF WRITING:  Possibly in the fall of 57 A.D., making it but a few
months after writing First Corinthians (likely written in the spring of
57 A.D.).

MESSENGER:  Titus, who was accompanied by two others on his journey
(8:16-24)

BACKGROUND OF THE EPISTLE:  The church in Corinth began in 52 A.D., 
when Paul visited there on his second missionary journey.  It was then
that he stayed one and a half years, the first time he was allowed to
stay in one place as long as he wished.  A record of this visit and the
establishment of the church is found in Ac 18:1-18.

This second letter of Paul to the Corinthian church was occasioned by
the report brought back by Titus, who informed Paul of their reception 
of the first letter, and how they received the rebuke that letter 
contained (2:12-13; 7:5-9).

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: Titus' report was encouraging, but evidently
it also brought troubling news that some at Corinth were questioning 
Paul's authority as an apostle.  This doubt may have planted by 
"Judaizing teachers" who seemed to follow Paul and attempted to 
undermine his teaching concerning the Law.  They appear to have 
questioned his veracity (1:15-17), his speaking ability (10:10; 11:6), 
and his unwillingness to accept support from the church at Corinth 
(11:7-9; 12:13).  There were also some people who had not repented of 
their licentious behavior (12:20-21).  Paul's primary purpose, then, in
this epistle is:

            TO VINDICATE HIS APOSTLESHIP AND MANNER OF LIFE

He hopes that by writing in advance of his visit he can get all of the
necessary rebuke out of the way (1:23-2:3; 13:10).  He also uses the 
opportunity to encourage them to have the collection for the needy 
saints in Jerusalem ready when he comes (9:1-5; cf. 1Co 16:1-2).

This letter is the most biographical and least doctrinal of Paul's
epistles.  It tells us more about Paul as a person and as a minister
than any of the others.  Those who would be ministers of the gospel
would do well to carefully study it (along with Paul's epistles to
Timothy and Titus).

KEY VERSE:  2 Corinthians 7:2

"Open your heart to us.  We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no 
one, we have defrauded no one."

BRIEF OUTLINE:

SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING (1:1-11)

I. PAUL EXPLAINS HIS MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (1:12-7:16)

   A. HE DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY
      1. The Changed Plan (1:12-22)
      2. The Delayed Visit (1:23-2:4)
      3. The Penitent Offender (2:5-11)

   B. HE DESCRIBES HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
      1. Triumphant (2:12-17)
      2. Accredited (3:1-3)
      3. Glorious (3:4-18)
      4. Honest (4:1-6)
      5. Suffering (4:7-18)
      6. Hopeful (5:1-10)
      7. Devoted (5:11-17)
      8. Reconciling (5:18-21)
      9. Approved (6:1-10)

   C. HE MAKES HIS APPEAL TO THEM
      1. To Open Their Hearts (6:11-13)
      2. To Be Separate From The World (6:14-7:1)
      3. The Comfort And Confidence They Have Given Him (7:2-16)

II. THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS IN JERUSALEM (8:1-9:15)

   A. THE EXAMPLE OF MACEDONIA (8:1-5)

   B. THE BASIS FOR HIS EXHORTATION (8:6-15)

   C. THE MESSENGERS FOR THIS MINISTRY (8:16-9:5)

   D. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE LIBERALLY (9:6-15)

III. PAUL DEFENDS HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (10:1-13:10)

   A. EXPLANATION CONCERNING HIS CONDUCT
      1. He Uses Weapons Mighty In God (10:1-11)
      2. The Contrast Between Him And His Opponents (10:7-18)

   B. SOME FOOLISH BOASTING
      1. The Necessity For Boasting (11:1-21)
      2. The Grounds For His Boasting (11:22-12:10)
      3. His Rebuke For Compelling Him To Boast (12:11-13)

   C. HIS FINAL WARNINGS
      1. Motivated By Love, He Seeks Their Edification (12:14-19)
      2. His Fear Of What He Will Find (12:20-21)
      3. His Coming Will Be In Judgment If Necessary (13:1-6)
      4. But He Hopes To Avoid Sharp Words By Writing In Advance 
         (13:7-10)

CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS AND BENEDICTION (13:11-14)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) On which journey did the apostle Paul establish the church in 
   Corinth?
   - His second journey

2) Where does one read about the establishment of the church in 
   Corinth?
   - Ac 18:1-18

3) On which journey did Paul write both of his epistles to the 
   Corinthians?
   - His third journey

4) From where did Paul write his FIRST epistle to the Corinthians? (cf.
   1Co 16:8)
   - Ephesus

5) From where did Paul write his SECOND epistle to the Corinthians?
   (cf. 7:5; 8:1; 9:2-4)
   - Somewhere in Macedonia (perhaps Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea?)

6) What is the approximate date of writing?
   - The fall of 57 A.D.

7) Whose arrival likely prompted Paul's writing of this epistle? 
   (7:5-7)
   - Titus

8) What sorts of things about Paul were questioned by those challenging
   his apostolic authority? (cf. 1:15-17; 10:10; 11:6; 11:7-9; 12:13)
   - His veracity
   - His speaking ability
   - His refusal to accept financial support

9) What is the purpose of this epistle?
   - To vindicate Paul's apostleship and manner of life

10) What other topic does Paul discuss in this epistle? (9:1)
   - The collection for the saints