Almost too late

This sign is all to familiar across America; businesses are leaving or vanished.  America has changed; industry has been replaced with listlessness; hard work by welfare.  How could this happen?  What led to this pitiful state of affairs?  The answer is simple and a parallel is found in the book of Lamentations...

Lamentations, Chapter 1

 4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly;

all her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh:

her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.

  5 Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper;

for Yahweh has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions:

Transgression from the way of God is the reason we are in the situation we face. The short term is Sin.  It is seen in greed and crookedness throughout the society.  Large businesses move to other countries in order to avoid paying a fair wage.  Politicians support whoever will get them re-elected and ignore the interests of those who voted them into office in the first place.  Television portrays a sinful lifestyle as normal and concern for our fellow man is forgotten.  God will not ignore these and countless other sins forever.  He didn't with Israel and Judah and he won't with America.  There is STILL TIME TO CHANGE, RECOVERY IS STILL POSSIBLE!!!!   America as a country and its citizens in particular need to face their sin; it can no longer be ignored!!!  It begins with each of us individually.  We can start with prayer, continue in living as God would have us to and vote responsibly.Don't let your conscience be your guide.... let it be the WORD OF GOD!!  You will be glad you did!!!

Oct. 5 Psalms 135-137

Oct. 5

Psalms 135-137

Psa 135:1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,

Psa 135:2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of our God's house.

Psa 135:3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

Psa 135:4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.

Psa 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

Psa 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

Psa 135:7 who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;

Psa 135:8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal;

Psa 135:9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants;

Psa 135:10 who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings,

Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

Psa 135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

Psa 135:13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

Psa 135:14 For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Psa 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they can't speak. They have eyes, but they can't see.

Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they can't hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Psa 135:18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.

Psa 135:19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

 

Psa 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:4 To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:5 To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:7 To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:8 The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:16 To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:17 To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:18 And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:20 Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:21 And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:24 And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:25 Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:26 Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.

 

Psa 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Psa 137:2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps.

Psa 137:3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

Psa 137:4 How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?

Psa 137:5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

Psa 137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you; if I don't prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Psa 137:7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!"

Psa 137:8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

Psa 137:9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Oct. 5 Galatians 2

Oct. 5

Galatians 2

Gal 2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

Gal 2:2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Gal 2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Gal 2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

Gal 2:5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

Gal 2:6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

Gal 2:7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision

Gal 2:8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);

Gal 2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

Gal 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--which very thing I was also zealous to do.

Gal 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Gal 2:12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

Gal 2:15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,

Gal 2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

Gal 2:17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

Gal 2:18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

Gal 2:19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Gal 2:21 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Hebrews, chapter 10, Mark Copeland

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                              Chapter Ten

The animal sacrifices of the Law (the first covenant) are shown to be
insufficient, while the death of Christ fulfills the will of God and
perfects those who are being sanctified (1-18).  A three-fold
exhortation based on what Christ has done (19-25) is followed by the
fifth of six warnings, this one against despising God’s grace with
willful sin (26-39).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  Why Christ’s sacrifice is superior to animal sacrifices

   *  The importance of drawing near to God and assembling with brethren

   *  The terrifying condition of Christians who persist in willful sin

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The superiority of Christ’s sacrifice - He 10:1-18
   - Exhortation to draw near and hold fast - He 10:19-25
   - A warning against despising - He 10:26-39

2) Why were animal sacrifices insufficient? (1-4)
   - They did not make one perfect, because they could not take away
     sins

3) In coming to do the will of God, what has Jesus done? (9)
   - He took away the first (covenant) that He may establish the second
     (covenant)

4) What distinguishes Christ’s sacrifice from those of OT priests?
   (11-14)
   - He offered one sacrifice for all time, capable of perfecting those
     being sanctified

5) What three-fold exhortation is based on what Jesus has done? (22-24)
   - Let us draw near, let us hold fast, let us consider one another

6) What should we not forsake? (25)
   - The assembling of ourselves together

7) What’s meant by "sin willfully"?  What’s the consequence of doing so?
   (26-27)
   - To knowingly persist in sin (i.e., presumptuous, rebellious sin)
   - No sacrifice for sin, certain fearful expectation of judgment and
     fiery indignation

8) Of what is one guilty when they persist in sin? Why should one be
   afraid? (29-31)
   - Trampling the Son of God underfoot, counting the blood by which one
     is sanctified a common thing, insulting the Spirit of grace
   - God will judge His people, it is a fearful thing to fall into the
     hands of the living God

9) What three things do we need to receive the promise of God? (35-39)
   - Confidence, endurance, faith

Oct. 4 Psalms 131-134

Oct. 4

Psalms 131-134

Psa 131:1 Yahweh, my heart isn't haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

Psa 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psa 131:3 Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forth and forevermore.

Psa 132:1 Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction,

Psa 132:2 how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Psa 132:3 "Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

Psa 132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids;

Psa 132:5 until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Psa 132:6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:

Psa 132:7 "We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.

Psa 132:8 Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place; you, and the ark of your strength.

Psa 132:9 Let your priest be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!"

Psa 132:10 For your servant David's sake, don't turn away the face of your anointed one.

Psa 132:11 Yahweh has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: "I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

Psa 132:12 If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forevermore."

Psa 132:13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

Psa 132:14 "This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it.

Psa 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Psa 132:16 Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.

Psa 132:17 There I will make the horn of David to bud. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

Psa 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent."

Psa 133:1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

Psa 133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard; that came down on the edge of his robes;

Psa 133:3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forevermore.

Psa 134:1 Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh's house!

Psa 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!

Psa 134:3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.

Oct. 4 Galatians 1

Oct. 4

Galatians 1

Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

Gal 1:2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

Gal 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Gal 1:4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father--

Gal 1:5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news";

Gal 1:7 and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.

Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ.

Gal 1:11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

Gal 1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.

Gal 1:14 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Gal 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,

Gal 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Gal 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.

Gal 1:19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.

Gal 1:20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying.

Gal 1:21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Gal 1:22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

Gal 1:23 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."

Gal 1:24 And they glorified God in me.

Hebrews, Chapter 9, Mark Copeland

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                              Chapter Nine

To appreciate the difference between the two covenants, their respective
sanctuaries and divine services are compared.  First the earthly
sanctuary and the limitations of its divine services are reviewed
(1-10); then the greater and more perfect heavenly sanctuary with
emphasis on its better sacrifice, the blood of Christ Himself (11-28).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The symbolism of the earthly tabernacle and its divine services

   *  The superiority of the heavenly High Priest and His sacrifice

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The earthly sanctuary and its service - He 9:1-10
   - The heavenly sanctuary and its sacrifice - He 9:11-28

2) Describe the two parts of the earthly tabernacle and what they
   contained (2-5)
   - Holy place: lampstand, table of showbread, altar of incense (cf.
     Exo 30:1-7)
   - Holiest of All:  ark of the covenant, with the items in it, and the
     mercy seat

3) What were the limitations of the earthly tabernacle and its services?
   (9-10)
   - Symbolic, and could not make one perfect in regard to the
     conscience
   - Imposed only until the time of reformation

4) Of what was Christ the High Priest? (11,24)
   - Of good things to come, of the  greater and more perfect tabernacle
     (heaven)

5) What sacrifice did Jesus offer? (12,14)
   - His own blood, offered without spot

6) What does the sacrifice of Christ accomplish? (12,14-15,26,28)
   - Eternal redemption (even for transgressions under the first
     covenant)
   - Cleansing consciences from dead works to serve the living God
   - To put away sin, once and for all

7) When did the new covenant (testament) come into force? (15-17)
   - Not until Jesus died on the cross

8) What is appointed for men? (27)
   - To die once, and then the judgment

9) For whom will Christ appear a second time for salvation? (28)
   - Those who eagerly wait for Him