NT Reading

Apr. 2, 3


Luke 3



Luk 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

Luk 3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

Luk 3:3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

Luk 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

Luk 3:5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

Luk 3:6 All flesh will see God's salvation.' "

Luk 3:7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

Luk 3:9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

Luk 3:10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"

Luk 3:11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."

Luk 3:12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"

Luk 3:13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."

Luk 3:14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."

Luk 3:15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

Luk 3:16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

Luk 3:17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Luk 3:18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

Luk 3:19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

Luk 3:20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Luk 3:21 Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,

Luk 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased."

Luk 3:23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

Luk 3:24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

Luk 3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

Luk 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

Luk 3:27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

Luk 3:28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

Luk 3:29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

Luk 3:30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,

Luk 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

Luk 3:32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

Luk 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

Luk 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Luk 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,

Luk 3:36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

Luk 3:37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Luk 3:38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

OT Reading

Apr. 2


Leviticus 21, 22



Lev 21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, 'A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people;

Lev 21:2 except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother,

Lev 21:3 and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.

Lev 21:4 He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

Lev 21:5 " 'They shall not shave their heads, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

Lev 21:6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.

Lev 21:7 " 'They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband: for he is holy to his God.

Lev 21:8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.

Lev 21:9 " 'The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father: she shall be burned with fire.

Lev 21:10 " 'He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, nor tear his clothes;

Lev 21:11 neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

Lev 21:12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am Yahweh.

Lev 21:13 " 'He shall take a wife in her virginity.

Lev 21:14 A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.

Lev 21:15 He shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him.' "

Lev 21:16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 21:17 "Say to Aaron, 'None of your seed throughout their generations who has a blemish, may approach to offer the bread of his God.

Lev 21:18 For whatever man he is that has a blemish, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,

Lev 21:19 or a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand,

Lev 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles;

Lev 21:21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, who has a blemish, shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Lev 21:22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.

Lev 21:23 He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.' "

Lev 21:24 So Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

Lev 22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 22:2 "Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh.

Lev 22:3 "Tell them, 'If anyone of all your seed throughout your generations approaches the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am Yahweh.

Lev 22:4 " 'Whoever of the seed of Aaron is a leper or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him;

Lev 22:5 or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has;

Lev 22:6 the person that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his body in water.

Lev 22:7 When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.

Lev 22:8 That which dies of itself, or is torn by animals, he shall not eat, defiling himself by it. I am Yahweh.

Lev 22:9 " 'They shall therefore follow my requirements, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it. I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

Lev 22:10 " 'No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.

Lev 22:11 But if a priest buys a slave, purchased by his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread.

Lev 22:12 If a priest's daughter is married to an outsider, she shall not eat of the heave offering of the holy things.

Lev 22:13 But if a priest's daughter is a widow, or divorced, and has no child, and has returned to her father's house, as in her youth, she may eat of her father's bread: but no stranger shall eat any of it.

Lev 22:14 " 'If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest.

Lev 22:15 The priests shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to Yahweh,

Lev 22:16 and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.' "

Lev 22:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 22:18 "Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, 'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering;

Lev 22:19 that you may be accepted, you shall offer a male without blemish, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats.

Lev 22:20 But whatever has a blemish, that you shall not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Lev 22:21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

Lev 22:22 Blind, injured, maimed, having a wart, festering, or having a running sore, you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh.

Lev 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

Lev 22:24 That which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut, you shall not offer to Yahweh; neither shall you do thus in your land.

Lev 22:25 Neither shall you offer the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner of any of these; because their corruption is in them. There is a blemish in them. They shall not be accepted for you.' "

Lev 22:26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 22:27 "When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is born, then it shall remain seven days with its mother; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Lev 22:28 Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.

Lev 22:29 "When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted.

Lev 22:30 It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Yahweh.

Lev 22:31 "Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am Yahweh.

Lev 22:32 You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy,

Lev 22:33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am Yahweh."

Put away the phone

Wouldn't you just love to me this guy on the road?  NOT!  He is an accident waiting to happen.  Yet, he is just one of millions upon millions of drivers of all sorts out there and it does make me wonder about the people I pass going the other way....

Matthew 13:1-23 (WEB)
1) On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.

2) Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.

3) He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.

4) As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.

5) Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

6) When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.

7) Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.

8) Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

9) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

10) The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

11) He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

12) For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.

13) Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.

14) In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ​‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive:

15) for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.’

16) “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

17) For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.

18) “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.

19) When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.

20) What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;

21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

22) What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

23) What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

You have this one I know: It takes all kinds...  and its true.  People are all over the sprectrum when it comes to God.  Yet, people CAN change!  The driver in the picture COULD PUT AWAY HIS PHONES!  Until he does, life around him will be PRETTY DANGEROUS.  So is a life without God; but the danger for those who don't listen is all theirs.

Up's and down's

Just a picture of a hand, but take a closer look at the palm!  It reminds me of the antics of the stock market.  Money is such a fleeting thing; one day you are fine and the next...broke!  Below is one of my favorite passages about money, but not just money...something else.

Mark 10:17-27 (WEB)


17) As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18) Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.
19) You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”
20) He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”
21) Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
22) But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
23) Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!”
24) The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!
25) It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”
26) They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”
27) Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

You may have the world by the tale... you know... young, healthy, good looking and rich, but those things are fleeting.  The young man who came to Jesus must have been somebody very special because it says that Jesus loved him.  Quite a statement and not often found in the Scriptures.  Yet, this man did not really trust God, but rather his wealth.  Jesus says something very difficult in verse 25 and the disciples are taken aback!  Fortunately, Jesus, gives us all hope in that "all things are possible with God".  Even with this encouragement, it still makes me wonder about the relationship of money and heaven.  This much I know, God will be fair and my part is to try to be more spiritual and less worldly.

Wake up!!!

This picture reminded me of something I almost forgot; I am getting forgetful.  I had two items in my hand; applesauce for the refrigerator and Ramen soup for the cupboard.  When I went to place the Ramen soup in the cupboard, I looked and to my surprise, it was the applesauce.  I had placed the soup near the refrigerator instead of the applesauce!!!  For a split second, I felt so very stupid and so very old.  So, when I saw this picture I remembered I had to WAKE UP!!!  Solomon spoke of the problems of "old age" and you can understand quite a bit if you take the time to think about it.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (WEB)

1) Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”

2) Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

3) in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,

4) and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;

5) yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6) before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,

7) and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8) “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!”

I called my younger brother (in upstate New York) today; we had a long chat and he related how he is organizing a class reunion for next year.  Which of course, made me think of my own High School Graduating Class!  Next year it will be 45 years and I hope they have a reunion!!!  It would be nice to see everyone one more time (you, know... before they die).  I will not put it off like I have in the past, because, who knows... I might not get another chance.  I guess the same holds true for remembering God.... better not forget, better not forget.... hummm... What was I trying to remember???  Wake up, Gary!!!!

Cold beauty

There has been a lot of snow and cold in the Northeastern United States lately and having lived there many years in the past I know that it can get a little depressing as the winter wears on.  Yet, amid the onslaught of winter, there is beauty, a very real beauty that overshadows most of the difficulties we encounter during the winter months.  Somehow this picture reminded me of the apostle Paul's situation...

Ephesians 3:1-12 (WEB)

1) For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

2) if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;

3) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

4) by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

5) which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6) that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

7) of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

8) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9) and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

10) to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

11) according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

12) in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Here was a man who had persecuted the church; one who had tried to stamp it out and he did it with great zeal and enthusiasm.  Yet, God had a plan for him and used him in a way that was amazing!  However, Paul felt like a nobody!  The memory of what he had done is reflected in verse 8 and must have been quite a weight on his mind.  God doesn't play favorites and when he chooses someone for a task, it is with good reason.  So, amid the cold hard memory of what he had done, there was a beauty to it, much like this picture!  Amid all the cold there is a beautiful sky, something that will shine on in the mind for a very long time!  God is like that; he takes something unpleasant and turns it into something beautiful; even in the midst of a cold, hard winter!!!

Mystery solved!

Well, here I am again; its late at night and my legs are preventing me from sleeping, so I thought I would do a post.  Then I came upon this picture.  Nothing I haven't seen before, but it did bring back memories of the Schaghticoke fair in upstate New York and the first time I saw someone do this (I think I was about 8 or 9).  It was pretty amazing then, but now, well, I know how its done so its no big deal.  Yet, I do remember how wonderful it was to see it the first time.  Reminds me of something the Apostle Paul wrote.

Ephesians 3:1-11 (WEB)1) For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
2) if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
3) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
4) by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
5) which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
6) that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
7) of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9) and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10) to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11) according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

If you have ever read all the way through the old testament, then you know how strange some of the prophets can be; Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, just to mention a few.  Then imagine you read Ephesians for the first time... bingo, everything makes sense; it all fits together!!!  Perhaps for some this Ephesians passage may seem "old hat", but every single time I read it, its new and refreshes my spiritual being.  Now that is something great indeed!!!  Oh, yes, don't ask me if I would try doing that motorcycle stunt; I wouldn't even think about it.  Any volunteers out there?