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#Psalms Chapter 55 verse 22
hiswordsarekisses · 1 year
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Our sure and God-given weapons is The Word of God. As we consistently and prayerfully spend time with God in His Word, we will grow in faith and discernment ~ and it will also wash us and make us new. God’s Word provides protection for our minds like a helmet., and it arms us with truth like a belt wrapped around us ~ causing us to confidently stand firm. This belt holds a quiver full of promises that are like arrows that powerfully extinguish every fiery dart that the enemy will throw at us, as we take our thoughts captive as we replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of The Word. The Word also provides a shield of faith - because faith comes from hearing The Word - which places a divine breastplate across our chest ~ protecting our heart from sin and keeping us in righteousness as we hide The Word in our hearts. The Word enables us to stand in the shoes of the gospel of peace - because perfect peace comes to those who keep their eyes fixed on Him (Who is The Word.)
Every single piece of our armor mentioned in Ephesians chapter 6 is fully and completely provided by our sword, “which is The Word of God.” This is simply because He IS The Word! His blood, and His Spirit, and His Word ~ together ~ have given us everything we need for life and godliness ~ and everything we need to fight our battles. “And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these for war. The term "trains" here refers to He's walking us through a training exercise to fight the enemy much like a military training exercise. However, this is a spiritual war which cannot be fought with worldly ammunition ~ but know the enemy will try to distract you in a war of flesh - but only the weapon of His Word will ever be able to setus free, pull down spiritual strongholds m, and fight the principalities and powers of darkness in high places.
Our Father's goal is to bring us to the point where we have learned how ultimately trustworthy He is; so that we finally begin to automatically depend and lean 100% on Him as our natural reflex, and instinctive, reactive response... to literally e v e r y t h I n g..
The following are the verses that came to me as I was writing what was on my heart (if you are interested in further study) as well as the passages that inspired actually this post.
Ephesians 6:10-17 ~ John1:1 ~ John17.17 ~ John 14:6 ~ John 8:32 ~ 2 Timothy 3:16 ~ 1 Peter 2:2 ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 ~ Hebrews 4:12 ~ Romans 10:17 ~ psalm 119:11 ~Isaiah 26:3 ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18 ~ Isaiah 50:7 ~ 2 Timothy 2:4-7 ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 ~ Isaiah 55:11 ~ Acts 17:11 ~ Deuteronomy 8:3 ~ James 1:21 ~ John 15:7 ~ John 16:13 ~ John 6:63 ~ John 7:38 ~ Matthew 4:4 ~ proverbs 30:5 ~ Romans 15:4 ~ 1 Corinthians 6:11 ~ Ephesians 5:25-27 ~ 1 John 5:6-13 ~ Psalm 144:1-6~ 2 Samuel 22:31-37 ~ Psalm 18:26-36
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Daily Devotionals 10-05-2023 
Verses of the Day: Proverbs 17:4/Proverbs 12:22/Isaiah 55:6/Zechariah 8:16/John 3:36/Hebrews 11:5/Psalm 94:12/Mark 16:16/1 Kings 19:8/Genesis 22:1-18/John 15:18-20/Nehemiah 2:9–10/Habakkuk 3:17-18/Genesis 2:2–3/Jude 1:3/Genesis 49:22-26/Deuteronomy 33:13/Galatians 5:22/Genesis 49:10 /Ezekiel 21:27/Jeremiah 33:17/Genesis 22:17/Deuteronomy 33:17/Genesis 48:19/Genesis 35:11/Genesis 49:22/ Chapters…
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keeganbooks · 2 years
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KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
July 17, 2022: Dear Friends, Welcome back to KNOWING YOUR BIBLE, a weekly blog that is written to help in learning and knowing the Bible. The information written is not to tell or instruct in interpreting what is read in the Bible, but to help in learning to use and study the Bible. This series on giving instructions in learning the Bible was started on April 24th and will be extended  for a few more weeks. Go to the website above left, to review these previous blogs to increase in the knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Consider teaching the Bible to others after developing confidence in “KNOWING YOUR BIBLE”.                   
In this series, blogs have been written that give instruction on how to learn the names and locations of the Bible books, how to search and find specific Bible verses, how to learn how the Bible books are organized, when the approximate timeline of the books or events that are written about in the books occurred, and how the books of the Bible are related to each other. This last topic on learning how the books are related has been the focus in the last 3-4 blogs. Ways the Bible books can be understood to be related include through geographic sites that transverse through the books and through the same or similar words and ideas that are found throughout the Bible. This last way of describing how the books are related highlights particular words and ideas that God inspired to the Bible writers to reveal what God wanted the Bible’s readers to grasp and follow. In 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16-17, Paul the apostle wrote the following: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”
 A few of many words and/or ideas, will be listed each week for a few weeks with Bible verses assigned to each “Word”. When following that word or idea throughout the books of the Bible, the follower should be able to realize that, even though the events and circumstances found in the many books of the Bible may be different, the specific “Word” being followed has a commonality purpose in being written in a particular verse as part of God’s plan in teaching and guiding those who are reading and studying his “Holy Word”, the Bible. Contemplate on the meaning of each word that is being focused on. The books the verses are listed in may not be in the chronological order of where the books are located in the Bible but will give increased experience in searching and finding Bible verses to read.. All verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible
                MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!  
Words found in Bible Verses:                                                                                   LOVE: John, chapter 3, verse 16; Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; 1st Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13; Leviticus, chapter 19, verse 18; 1st John, chapter 4, verses 16-19; Micah, chapter 6, verse 8; John, chapter 13, verse 1 and verses 34-35; Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3; Galatians, chapter 2, verse 20; 1st John, chapter 4, verses 7-12;Exodus, chapter 20, verse 6; Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40; and Romans, chapter 12, verses 8-10. 
RIGHTEOUSNESS: Matthew, chapter 5, verse 6 and 10, and chapter 6, verse 33; and chapter 13, verse 43; Psalm, chapter 5, verse 12, Job, chapter 17 verse 9;  James, chapter 5, verse 16; Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 8; Titus, chapter 3, verse 3;Jeremiah, chapter 22, verse 3,1st Timothy, chapter 4, verse 6;1st Samuel, chapter 24, verse 17 and chapter 26, verse 23; Psalm, chapter 5, verse 12, chapter 24, verses 3-6;,and chapter 55, verse 22. Because of space issues,, the study of important and consistent words and ideas in the Bible will be continued next week
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tpanan · 2 years
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My Sunday Daily Blessings
May 29, 2022
Be still quiet your heart and mind, the LORD is here, loving you talking to you...........                                                                      
Seventh Sunday of Easter (Roman Rite Calendar) Lectionary 61, Cycle C
First Reading: Acts 7:55-60
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them;” and when he said this, he fell asleep.
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
"The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth."
Second Reading: Revelations 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
I, John, heard a voice saying to me: “Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through its gates.                                                                                                      
“I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus!
Verse before the Gospel: John 14:18
R: Alleluia, Alleluia
"I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord. I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice."
R: Alleluia, Alleluia
**Gospel: John 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
**Meditation:
When you pray what do you ask for - God's help, blessing, guidance, and wisdom? One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities we have been given by God is to pray not only for ourselves, but for others as well. The Lord Jesus lived a life full of prayer, blessing, and gratitude to his Father in heaven. He prayed for his disciples, especially when they were in great need or danger. Mark tells us in his Gospel account (see chapter 6:46-51) that when Jesus was praying alone on the mountain he saw that his disciples were in great distress due to a life-threatening storm that was beating against their boat. Jesus immediately came to their rescue - walking on the waves of the rough waters before he calmed their fears and calmed the raging waters as well! Luke records in his Gospel account the words of Jesus to Simon Peter shortly before Jesus' arrest and Peter's denial of the Lord three times. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:32). Jesus' prayers were personal, direct, and focused on the welfare and well-being of others - especially that they might find peace and unity with God and with one another. 
Jesus prays for all Christians to be united as one The longest recorded prayer of Jesus is found in the Gospel of John, the "high priestly" prayer which Jesus prayed aloud at his last supper meal with his disciples (John 17). This prayer most clearly reveals the heart and mind of Jesus - who and what he loved most - love for his Father in heaven and love for all who believe in him. His prayer focuses on the love and unity he desires for all who would believe in him and follow him, not only in the present, but in the future as well. 
Jesus' prayer concludes with a petition for the unity among all Christians who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus prays for all men and women who will come after him and follow him as his disciples (John 17:20). In a special way Jesus prays here for each one of us that as members of his body the church we would be one as he and his Father are one. The unity of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, with the eternal Father is a unity of mutual love, service, and honor, and a oneness of mind, heart, and spirit. The Lord Jesus calls each and every one of his followers into this unity of mutual love, respect, service, honor, and friendship with all who belong to Christ. 
To make him known and loved by all Jesus' prayer on the eve of his sacrifice shows the great love and trust he had for his beloved disciples. He knew they would abandon him in his hour of trial, yet he entrusted to them the great task of spreading his name throughout the world and to the end of the ages. The Lord Jesus entrusts us today with the same mission - to make him known and loved by all. Jesus died and rose again that all might be one as he and the Father are one. Do you love all who belong to Christ and do you recognize and accept all baptized Christians as your brothers and sisters in Christ? The Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, draws each one of us into the unity which he and the Father have together and into the unity he desires for all who belong to him - we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and sons and daughters of our beloved Father in heave
The Lord intercedes for us right now The Lord Jesus Christ included each one of us in his high priestly prayer at the last supper meal with his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice on the cross (John 17:20). And today the Lord Jesus continues his high priestly office as our intercessor before the throne of God in heaven. Paul the Apostle tells us that it is "Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34; see also Hebrews 7: 25). Do you join in Jesus' high priestly prayer that all who profess Jesus as Lord may grow in love and unity together as brothers and sisters who have been redeemed through the precious blood that was shed for us on the cross?
Heavenly Father, have mercy on all your people who have been redeemed by the precious blood of your Son who offered up his life for us on the cross. Pardon our sins and heal our divisions that we may grow in love, unity, and holiness together as your sons and daughters. May all Christian people throughout the world attain the unity for which Jesus prayed on the eve of his sacrifice. Renew in us the power of the Holy Spirit that we may be a sign of that unity and a means of its growth. Increase in us a fervent love, respect, and care for all of our brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus Christ. 
Sources: 
Lectionary for Mass for use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, copyright (c) 2001, 1998, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain (c) 1968, 1981, 1997, international committee on english in the liturgy, Inc All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
**Meditations may be freely reprinted and translated into other languages for non-profit use only. Please cite copyright and original source. Copyright 2021 Daily Scripture Readings and Meditation, dailyscripture.net author Don Schwager
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god-whispers · 2 years
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apr 24
"because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."  matt 24:12  is that where we are today?  living in the middle of matthew 24?  if one verse rings so true, can we live in denial of the others?
all of psalm 73 talks about how the evil seem to prosper.  after much consideration, the psalmist came to this conclusion:  "i was so foolish and ignorant; i was like a beast before You.  nevertheless i am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."  psa 73:22-24
he learned the true meaning of humility, much like job did in his lecture from God in chapters 38-41.  in chapter 42 job admits, "therefore i have uttered what i did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which i did not know." job 42:3  so it is with everyone who questions God.  "'for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord."  isa 55:8  a preacher once said, "we live life going forward.  we only understand it looking backward."  may we all wait for the understanding.
as God extends His mercy to others, He is teaching us His ways.  we must not envy the evil doers who seem to be prospering.  we know their end.  they are to be pitied unless the turn back to the light.
it aches my heart to see many returning to their former selves, returning to egypt, returning to a captivity that will never end.  perhaps because they see evil prospering,  perhaps because they have grown weary of well doing.  i am ministering now to someone i fear is turning back.  the pain i feel is God's pain.  the tears i weep are His.
so many are not returning to church as it reopens; not returning to an often difficult path, but to an seemingly easier one.  they are among the deceived.  well did our Lord speak, "enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it"  matt 7:13
"for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. for yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.  but we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul."  heb 10:36-39
the word of God seems to be carrying this message far better than i could.  so here is another scripture for you.  "they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us."  1 john 2:19
there will be a separating of the tares and the wheat.  perhaps that time is now.  pray that one's faith fails not.  pray those without faith finally find it.  pray we will not be deceived.  this age of grace is quickly closing.  in the final years "there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation".  mark 13:19  pray those you love, "may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." luke 21:36  PRAY!
linda
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lady-starbind · 3 years
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yelenabelovq · 2 years
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i. per aspera | m.m.
series masterlist
summary: Being hounded by government agencies was low on your list of priorities, until they make it more than just a minor inconvenience on your way back to finding normalcy short of your best friend and boyfriend. So, you find yourself stumbling into a small firm, recovering from the Blip like everyone else, and make an unexpected connection with someone who understands your grief--and your abilities--on a level that you could have never expected.
playlist: permit the righteous to be moved | m.m.
word count: 5.3k
rating: 18+, sfw, reader uses she/her pronouns and is semi-catholic for plot/angst/symbolism purposes (but more on that later), past steve x reader, reader is a mutant, warning for some mentions of violence and death, heavy tony stark slander, spoilers for daredevil season two, defenders
a/n: sO--first things first, this series will have eventual daredevil/defenders spoilers, as well as nwh spoilers!! the chapter title is half of the quote “per aspera, as astra.” the series title “permit the righteous to be moved” comes from a bible verse, Psalm 55:22, which says “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” it's a verse that's meant to encourage you to make it through a tough time, out of context though... *laughs in mean author* this is a little thing that's been floating around my head since I saw nwh, and i've been itching to get it flushed out ever since. it's mostly going to follow the phase four canon on the coattails of Nelson, Murdock, and Page, the only canon deviance is that instead of returning to the 40s (like an idiot), steve was killed by thanos in the final battle in endgame (but more on that later!) reader is young and grieving and traumatized and her only friend is an equally traumatized amputee, but then she stumbles into the devil and all his friends ;)
November 2023
You were a good person. You swore.
But some people, some people test you. Some people, of course, being Tony Stark. Even from beyond the grave, the asshat still found ways to make your life miserable.
You lost people. More people than just Tony Stark, but the rest of the world seems to forget that. You watched your boyfriend of six years be murdered by a genocidal space grape jolly rancher. You never got to say goodbye to your best friend before she flung herself off a cliff because she thought self-sacrifice is the only way to save the greater good (Nat might have been right in this case, but that doesn’t mean you’re happy about it). Tony got a private and a public funeral. Steve got a few seconds of silence on the news and Nat was barely acknowledged. Real fair, you thought.
But as if your grief over losing two of the most important people in your life wasn’t enough, everyone being returned from the Blip meant government agents were sniffing up your ass, looking to press five-, six-, seven-year-old charges from the time you were dragged on the run at eighteen years old. You spent the five years of the Blip helping rebuild the entire world, but even that’s not enough for a pardon.
And back to Tony ever-so-helpful Stark, his will didn’t exactly leave his legal team at the disposal of someone he talked to maybe three times in the last five years, so you were on your own. He’d given you and Steve the help he could during the first year of the Blip, when you’d publicly resurfaced after two years on the run, but eventually, charges were dropped without trial, and everyone seemed to forget. That was probably due to the fact that a lot of the people pressing charges against you were presumed dead, while the rest dropped what they had because, you know, half of the world disappeared.
But now, here you stood, about eight charges against you that could probably get you a lifetime in jail, (kinda) widowed, lonely, and lacking any sort of legal representation.
You’d known about Nelson and Murdock (now Nelson, Murdock, and Page) before the Blip, notable from the Punisher trail, and Foggy Nelson’s run for DA, back when you paid attention to the news a little more than a seventeen-year-old should have. They were ground-level, pro bono half the time, and had a reputation for reliability. Even though they had a bit of a reputation for ending up in the spotlight, you hoped choosing them would result in discretion. You didn’t need more eyes on you right now.
You stood outside the door, steeling your nerves to walk in and explain your side of a situation they probably knew very well from the opposition. Your mind buzzed as your enhanced abilities scouted out who was on the other side. Three people, one… one enhanced? You could tell someone had heightened senses and that one of those senses was not sight.
Weird, you thought. Maybe they’ll take pity on me.
You knocked on the door as you opened it, peeking your head in with a tentative smile.
A man stood behind a desk in the center of the room, loose blonde hair hanging into his eyes and a smile that told you he was far too good at keeping a secret. “Hi!” He extended a hand to you as you let the door shut behind you. “Foggy Nelson. How can we help you?”
You introduced yourself with the warmest smile you could muster, hoping that shaking his hand hid the nervous tremor that sunk into your body.
At your name, his facade dropped, eyebrows raising and mouth going agape. “Wait. The Avenger?”
You have a curt laugh. “Not really an Avenger anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Foggy said. “I can only imagine.”
He walked back around the desk to the opposite side, motioning for you to sit. “I feel like I could guess why you’re here.”
“You and half the population.” You took a seat, sensing his steady heartbeat and letting it ground you.
“I’ve heard a lot about your case through the grapevine. You’ve got every charge they can pin on you right now, most of which I think are complete bullshit. Sorry for the language.”
Steve would have loved this guy.
“Yeah, not ideal,” you said, easing into your skin. The fact that he was on your side without you having to plead your case and beg for representation sunk into you with tremendous relief. “Especially when your one connection to legal representation is dead. Tony Stark wasn’t my favorite person in the world, but his loyalty was admirable.”
Foggy’s expression changed into something of genuine sympathy, and you could feel the truth behind his words when he said, “I can’t imagine what it must have been like to lose so much of your team, just to lose more for good in the long run.”
You took a shaky breath, his statement hitting you square in the gut and digging its finger in until your throat started closing like a vice. You hadn’t expected to react this strongly when talking about this with someone other than your inner circle. You were going to have to get good at this, fast, if you were hoping to have any shot of not going to prison. “It’s tough. Weird to see the holes they leave, y’know?”
“Yeah,” Foggy said, “I really do.”
He cast a glance over to his right, at a closed office door. His partner must have Bliped. They must be close.
“So, uh, knowing my case from the opposition, what do you think are my chances of staying on the outside?” you asked, forcing humor into the edges of your words. It was in vain in the end, but it made you feel better and relieved some of the tension that had been hung in the room.
“Honestly, I think the case against you is flimsy, from what I’ve heard, at least. That’s not to say they don’t have more than what’s I’ve heard second hand, but anything they have against you can easily be circumstantial, I assume, and probably outweighed by the good you did in these last five years.”
Your shoulder sagged, the weight of anxiety being chipped away. “You don’t even know what a relief it is to hear that. They skipped me when they were handing out pardons, and it’s kinda been weighing me down ever since.”
“I can only imagine,” he said with a laugh. “We’d love to take on your case. I’ll confirm it with my partners, but I highly doubt there will be any protests. I’ll review the charges against you and start building a case. When are you free to meet again to flush out details?”
His eagerness and enthusiasm were contagious. You let yourself smile, just a little, at him. “I’m pretty open. Not a lot going on right now, besides this.”
“Does tomorrow work?” he asked, glancing at a planner that was laid open on his desk. “Say, three?”
“Sound good,” you responded, loosening your writhing hands in your lap.
“Perfect!” He stood, extending a hand to you. You stood, taking his offering as the knot in your stomach began to untangle itself, just a little.
Before you could say anything, a door to your right opened, revealing a woman with blonde hair tied at the nape of her neck and a buzzing cell in hand.
“Karen!” Foggy exclaimed. He introduced you with a flourish, explaining your situation and the case he accepted on their behalf.
Karen was wide-eyed as she looked at you, offering another handshake, which you took gladly if it meant she was on your legal team. “Oh, wow, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her voice held awe and the edge of humor.
“Nothing good, I’m sure,” you responded with a smirk.
“Oh, don’t be such a downer,” Foggy said, coming to stand next to you both. “It’ll be all good things by the time we’re through with you.”
“Your confidence is inspiring, Mr. Nelson,” you joked.
Foggy smiled, shrugging with mock humility. “All in a day’s work.”
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You were exhausted by the time you made it back to your little Brooklyn apartment.
The sun had set fully and the autumn chill had started to eat away at the edges of summer. You shivered a bit as you pushed open the door, toeing off your shoes and tossing your bag on the counter.
It was quiet. So, so quiet in the apartment you’d once shared with Steve. Unbearably so.
Usually, on nights like this, you put on a record from his collection, the one he’d begun during the Blip, the day you signed the lease. Tonight, instead, you made your way into the kitchen, dug the half-empty bottle of vodka out of the freezer, and took a swig.
Steve was all over the apartment, but you couldn’t get the heart to pack any of his things up. The last remnants of him were preserved within the walls of your little one-bedroom broom closet. You’d had the money to opt for something a bit bigger, but Steve had insisted on this one. Feels like home, he’d said. The view of the bridge justified the pricey rent, so you’d agreed with hardly a second thought to move in here with him and try your damndest to build a life on the scraps of what you had left.
He’d lost Sam and Bucky in the same go, you’d lost Wanda and then Peter, those blows landing one after another, and Natasha wasn’t coping well with the loss. Neither was Steve, for that matter, but at least he wasn't pushing you away when you offered your shoulder.
Your eyes danced around the apartment as you picked up every reminder of him, and everything you lost. Suddenly, your stomach churned and you were regretting opening the vodka bottle. Your hands shook as you picked up your keys again and shoved the vodka bottle into your bag after a moment’s contemplation. You were out the door no more than five minutes after you’d even stepped foot in your apartment, hailing a cab and hoping the frantic New York evening would stave off your brewing panic attack.
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Bucky opened the door with sleepy eyes and a frown etched deep into his face. He was clearly doing about as well as you were.
“Is that a bottle of vodka in your purse?”
“I can’t go home anymore.” Your voice was choked even as you tried to even out your breathing. Panic pulled at your every fiber, demanding to be heard. “He’s everywhere. He’s in everything. I can’t even have a simple fucking conversation without him being brought up.”
Bucky said nothing, just opened the door farther, allowing you to step inside. You took the invitation, walking on shaky legs.
“It’s never about him. It’s always about Tony, too,” you continued, tears stinging your eyes, threatening to spill. “Tony gets murals and dedications and eulogies and Steve gets a modification to an already existing monument as if his sacrifice meant less than Tony’s.”
Distantly, you heard the door click shut, and Bucky sigh, making his way towards you.
“Fuck Tony Stark,” you said, hysterics winning over and the tears finally staining your face. “Steve never did anything to deserve this. He’s just gone.”
You sobbed, air escaping you, as your world began to cave in. You felt arms wrap around you, tightening on your waist when you gasped and cried harder, turning to bury your face in Bucky’s shirt.
“I miss him too much,” you sobbed.
“I know,” Bucky said, a whisper in your hairline. And you knew he did, lest you have sought out the comfort you knew only he could provide. “I do too.”
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Bucky had insisted you take his bed. You wanted to protest, but he was incessant and far less inebriated than you were by the end of the night, so you’d relented without too much push back. He’d made you down a glass of water before you passed out, and left some aspirin on the bedside table for you in the morning.
Maybe you should just move in here, you thought, with someone who understood what your grief felt like and somewhere that didn’t feel like a memoriam to everything you’d lost.
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Your hangover was a dull, aching thing that gnawed its way into your bones and underneath your skull and buried itself deep within the creaks of your body.
The aspirin did little to curve the effect, and you cursed the universe that Bucky and his stupid super-soldier serum body was immune to drinking and hangovers, and that with all the crap your enhanced body could do, healing yourself wasn’t on that list. You stumbled out of his bedroom, grateful the lights were kept low. He was standing in the kitchen, a bag of something that smelled heavenly and a cup of coffee that smelled even more heavenly on the counter.
“No food here, I just got something delivered.” He turned as you approached, still blinking the sleep out of your eyes. “You look like shit.”
“Feel like it. Is that caffeine?”
“Just how you like it.” He nudged the cup towards you and your clumsy hands picked it up.
“You’re a saint,” you said, inhaling deeply, letting the warmth of the cup seep into your skin, willing it to engulf you and push out anything else.
“Eat something,” Bucky said, putting the bag on the small bar in front of him. “You can’t put all that coffee on an empty stomach.”
“So thoughtful,” you teased. “You eating?”
Bucky looked like he was going to respond for a moment, then you watched his expression change as his mind made up and he moved to the other side of the counter, taking the barstool next to you. You opened the bag, pulling out the breakfast he’d decided on. McDonald’s pancakes.
You felt safe here.
“I have a meeting today I don’t want to go to,” you said dumping two packs of syrup on your stack of pancakes and watching the eggs soak it up.
“What time? What for?” Bucky asked, eyeing your plate with heaps of judgment. “Do you want some food with your syrup?”
“Can it, Barnes,” you said, licking your plastic knife clean of the maple-y goodness. “Three. It’s with my new legal team so the FBI doesn’t send me to jail for not falling at Tony’s feet.”
Bucky chuckled a bit. “You rejected his help?”
“He didn’t leave me any, after the Blip.” You shoveled a dripping bite into your mouth.
“Seriously?”
“His resources and help died with him,” you said somberly. “I wasn’t gonna bug Pepper right now, not when I know what she’s going through. Or maybe I don’t, I don’t have a kid, but…” You poked at the styrofoam plate, watching how your fork left holes in the material. “I didn’t want it, anyway. I need one last act of rebellion against everything he is.”
Bucky smiled, almost imperceptibly. “So, what’s the plan?”
“No clue,” you admitted. “I went to the guys who did the Punisher trial. Guess I’m just hoping they’re as good as they are in the papers.”
“What are you gonna do if you lose?”
It wasn’t as if the thought hadn’t occurred to you. You were just uncertain as to if you actually cared.
You sighed, deep and gaping, like your lungs stretched open to reveal that gaping put you kept hidden away in an attempt to keep it from swallowing you whole. “Start praying again and hope God hasn’t abandoned me.”
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Nelson, Murdock, and Page was just as inviting today as it was yesterday, and it unsettled you just a bit. You knocked, hearing a “come in!” tossed at the door before you even had a chance to steady yourself and put your hand on the knob. You opened the door, revealing Foggy and a man you hadn’t met yet. You could sense another person in the office to your right, Karen if you had to guess.
So, that makes this Matt Murdock.
Wow. Tall, dark, and handsome was an understatement. Not usually your type, but something about him was just magnetic. Like he knew the attention in the room would eventually land on him, and he was okay with it, good with it. Good at molding a crowd’s attention into something he can use. Something he had a bit of practice with, if the strong set of his jaw and the slight pout of his lips were any indication.
That was all you could really see of his face, though. He wore dark sunglasses with a red tint to them. This was the one with the heightened senses but no sight, you realized. The one who’s been in his office, you assumed, when you were here.
Whether he was enhanced, or a mutant like you, you couldn’t tell. Probably not appropriate to ask right upon meeting him, though.
He turned his attention to you in a way that made a shock go down your spine as you approached the two men. Foggy spoke first, gesturing to you with an introduction. Matt stuck his hand out in your general direction, and you took it, not without some hesitation.
“Hi,” you said, a mockery of a greeting. Your abilities were turned up to eleven, tracking every neurotransmitter sent through both boys’ systems. You could sense Matt’s heightened senses, almost feel them yourself (a habit your abilities had taken on recently which you were decidedly not happy with). You were in overdrive.
Foggy led you and Matt into Matt’s office, Karen joining you not a moment later. You heard Foggy recap your discussion yesterday distantly, nodding and agreeing at appropriate times. You let him read out the charges against you: evading and resisting arrest, theft, bribery, tax evasion, identity theft (even though you got fake IDs; Foggy didn’t think that one would stick, but would still land you with a misdemeanor), computer crime (which you didn’t even know was a thing), and of course, treason. Karen guessed there would be more. Matt was shocked you weren’t a wanted fugitive.
None of this was news to you and honestly, none of it phased you. You’d kept flitting your gaze back to Matt, as much as you tried not to, with his full lips and fluffy hair.
Oh, God, please do not be attracted to your lawyer.
You listened as the three of them spoke, mostly amongst themselves and with each other, answering questions and supplying what you could. It was hard to focus when you could feel Matt’s attention on you, unwavering and vice-like, the whole time.
“I think her safety should be our biggest concern,” Matt said. “With her abilities, landing prison time could be dangerous for both her and other inmates.”
“Damn, Matt, you’re gonna make her out to be armed and dangerous?” Foggy asked, eyebrows up to his hairline.
“I think a logical approach is the best way to go about this one. She’s probably more vulnerable to an attack, and prison guards don’t have the best reputation for defending vulnerable inmates,” he argued, voice strong and steady. “She gets attacked and tried to defend herself, people could end up dead.”
You gaped at him.
“What if they opt for something more high security, like what Helmut Zemo has, or the Raft?” Karen asked.
You shuddered at the mentions.
“Sorry,” Matt whispered to you, as Foggy responded to Karen. “I know frankness in this situation can make you feel a bit small. I’m sure mentioning your trauma doesn’t help.”
You snapped your mouth shut, acutely aware that he probably knew exactly what expression you wore in that moment. “I’m used to it, at this point.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier.” He leaned away, and only then did you realize just how close he’d been, the ghost of his breath on your cheek and ear.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Karen directed to you. You snapped your attention to her, willing your abilities to just shut up for a moment. Why are other people's bodies so damn loud? “What exactly are your powers?”
You swallowed hard, bringing your reheated script to the forefront of your mind. “It’s a mutation. I can control biomolecules,” you began, your voice lifeless. You tried to bring some vitality into your tone. Irony was a close friend of yours. “So, basically anything that’s living. It’s kind of a medical thing. I know what pheromones you’re emitting and what neurotransmitters are in your system right now. I can feel and control your heart rate, if I wanted to. It applies to plants and animals, too. I can change things around, if need be. Heal. There’s probably more, but I’m hesitant to keep exploring what I can do without my degree.”
You were met with silence, as you usually were. Karen was the first to recover, asking, “You’re in school?”
“Med school. Got an undergrad in environmental studies.”
Foggy was next, stuttering. “So you’re just aware of everything and everyone around you, all the time?”
“Not everything. Has to be living. I also try not to use it as much as I can, save the occasional life-or-death situation.”
You picked at your cuticles as Karen furiously scribbled something on her notepad and Foggy overwhelmed you with the feeling of confusion. You hated this. Explaining what you can do. It made you feel so ostracized. No one ever looked at you the same after they knew what you were capable of.
Steve had always encouraged you. Nat helped you explore your limitations. Bucky and Sam are still supportive. Wanda and Peter are relatable.
But outside of them, you were treated like a weapon at best. You were only ever an Avenger when they needed your help, or when you were disagreeing with them. Sharon Carter was one of the only people who ever fought to keep you away from SHIELD, and away from inevitably becoming an experiment. And you weren’t even sure she was still alive.
“So, that’s why you keep looking at me like that.”
Matt’s voice pulled you from your retreat of thoughts, snagging your attention back to the present so sharply you felt a sting on your consciousness.
“You know I’m looking at you.” There was nothing accusatory in either of your tones. Just… An olive branch. You revealed your hand, so he would reveal his.
“Wait,” Foggy said, still brimming with confusion. “You can pick up on his—”
“Enhanced senses,” you supplied, locked in a strange sort of sightless staring contest with Matt. “I was hit with it as soon as I walked in the building.
Matt gave an almost imperceptible laugh. “Mine have a larger range.”
Did he just…
Did he just tease you? Brag about how his enhancement was stronger than yours?
You flushed, suddenly biting back the edges of a smile.
“Holy shit,” Foggy said. “That’s…” He laughed, taking you a bit by surprise. “That’s honestly incredibly impressive.”
You blushed just a bit.
“I don’t doubt that this will go to trial. We’ll try to get you a pardon, all things considered. Maybe all they need is a bit of resistance and some time to come to their senses,” Matt said, rising out of his seat. “If we do end up in court, all you’ll need is a strong case and a sympathetic jury. Which, in this day and age, aren’t all that hard to come across.”
“Worst comes to worst,” Karen began, “you’re young. We can push that you were coerced. We did it with—”
“No,” you said, demanded, in a stronger voice than any of them had probably heard from you. From the way Matt went on edge, you could tell he knew what saying that meant to you. “No. I wasn’t coerced. Steve—” You unsuccessfully tried to hide the way your voice cracked on his name. You were speaking through the thick of tears now. “He never did anything like that. He wasn’t like that. Never. Not to anyone. And--and certainly not to me.” You took a deep breath, trying to comfort your frayed nerves and push off the tiredness. You were tired, so so so far beyond physically, or even emotionally or mentally tired. The kind of tired sleep can’t even catch anymore. “I know I’m young. I know I was a kid when the Avengers took me in. But I was eighteen when they split. I know, I know, I know that’s hardly an adult, but legally I was one. I made a choice when I pushed back against the Accords. Natasha and I did. We fell on opposite sides but that didn’t mean we weren’t pushing. The Avengers didn’t fall apart for lack of trying. We didn’t choose to run, we—we were forced.”
Forced by Tony, you thought. You’d avoided the subject of him for this long, though. No point in bringing him up now, even if it’s just to spare the inevitable headache he caused.
“All those years I spent with Steve, I—we—“ you couldn’t finish. No one knew about your relationship, save Nat and Sam who you were on the run with, and later Bucky. Most of the team knew by now, but it still wasn’t public domain. If it were to get out, things would get so, so much worse for you than they already were.
“You were together,” Karen supplied softly.
You wiped quickly, almost erratically at the tears that managed to escape. “We weren’t until about a year into running.” You took a shaky breath, your body betraying you. For all you could do to others with your mutation, it did jack shit to help control your own body. “He was a good man. He was so, so good.”
You hated explaining what you and Steve meant to each other to people, to anyone who didn’t know Steve. No one saw him the way they were meant to.
You felt a hand on your shoulder, an extension of comfort radiating from the skin, and your body betraying you by letting it bury itself within you. You looked over to see Matt, face sympathetic and thumb tracing a small pattern onto your skin. “It’s okay. We’ll keep him out of this.”
You thanked every God you could think of for Matt Murdock in that moment.
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You’d left Nelson, Murdock, and Page feeling weirdly lighter than you had in days. It was like there had been an anvil in the center of your chest, and an attorney with fluffy hair and a smile that knew too much lifted it off with one conversation.
You were standing on the sidewalk, just outside the building for a few minutes after you left, contemplating if Bucky would let you spend the night again if you brought him takeout instead of alcohol he couldn’t get drunk off this time, when Foggy and Karen walked past you, saying goodbye and goodnight before getting in a cab together. A few moments later, Matt materialized next to you.
“Which way you headed?” He had his cane in hand, one you had the sneaking suspicion was for show, and his suit jacket draped over his forearm.
You stalled for a moment, your response held in suspense between the two of you. “Haven’t decided yet.”
Mat gave a crooked smile. “Too many options?”
“More like none at all.” You sighed, shivering a bit in the evening air. “Home isn’t home anymore, y’know? Wondering if my last remaining friend will trade takeout for his couch.”
He said nothing, just draped his jacket over your shoulders. He offered you his arm, then gestured for you to lead the way. You decided on food first. Then you’ll figure out where you can stomach sleeping tonight. You walked down the street on Matt’s arm, letting the slide of his cane lull you into a thoughtless wander.
“I lost someone, too,” Matt said, a couple blocks down. “Not that it’s any consolation. I know saying it sounds moot, but…”
You looked up at him expectantly.
“But grief is a universal language, nonetheless.”
“You say that like you’ve lost a lot of people,” you whisper.
Matt’s silence confirms your suspicion.
“So,” you prod, hesitant of where the line is between you and this man you met mere hours ago for the first time, but whose jacket lay around your shoulders to fend off the bite of cold in the air and whose arm you’re using to steady yourself as you walk with little knowledge of what direction you’re going in tonight, or tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. The man whose particular skillset connected the two of you in a strange understanding you could share, one which no one else could understand without. “Who was it? A partner?”
A small smile crept onto his face, one of reminiscing on fond memories. “Kinda. Yeah, I guess.”
You lapsed into silence again for another block. This, what Matt was offering you, was not something you could take freely.
“Her name was Elektra.”
You sensed norepinephrine flood his body as his anxiety spiked. “You don’t—you don’t have to tell me. I can tell it upsets you.”
“That’s the thing,” he said, unfazed by how easily you read him. “It never gets easier; talking about them, you know?”
You took that in for a moment, internalizing the idea that every time someone mutters Steve’s name, your throat will constrict like it did today. It never gets easier.
Matt continued as you approached the restaurant. “She was-she… She meant a lot to me. Point is, I get it.” He laughed a bit, running a hand over his chin as you came to a stop. “And I don’t, cause no one will ever know him like you did.”
You swallowed, doing little to dissipate the lump in your throat. “Can I buy you dinner?”
Matt gave you a sympathetic smile, the edges weighed down by something a bit indiscernible. “I wish I could, but I have a prior commitment tonight,” he admitted, and you sensed the genuine sentiment behind his words. “Let me know when you get where you’re going, when you figure it out.” He handed you a Nelson, Murdock, and Page business card with something scribbled on it. A number. “That’s my cell. Call me if you need a—couch, or anything.”
You smiled at him for a moment, letting your eyes flit over him, and all the emotion you could read without even looking under the surface. “Thank you,” you said. And for the first time in weeks, for the first time since the Blip, for the first time since you lost Steve, you meant it.
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You hoped Bucky liked pho.
He threw the door open, rubbing sleep out of his eyes despite the relatively early hour. “What?”
“Do you like pho?”
“What.”
You held up the bag.
He sighed and opened the door further, letting you in. “Take my bed.”
You began to protest, his name falling half-heartedly off your lips.
“I can’t sleep in it anyway.”
You set the bag on the floor, sitting down and arranging the bowls of rice noodles and broth in front of you. Bucky took the invitation, eyeing the pho a bit wearily. The two of you ate in silence for a while, and you tried your best to keep your mind clear. You’d lost track of time after a while, just watching the broth swirl, when Bucky finally broke the silence.
“Whose jacket is that?”
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dfroza · 3 years
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lost & found things
this is what we see in Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament book of Luke in chapter 15:
Jesus became increasingly popular among notorious sinners—tax collectors and other social outcasts. The Pharisees and religious scholars noticed this.
Pharisees and Religious Scholars: This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal!
Jesus (with another parable): Wouldn’t every single one of you, if you have 100 sheep and lose one, leave the 99 in their grazing lands and go out searching for the lost sheep until you find it? When you find the lost sheep, wouldn’t you hoist it up on your shoulders, feeling wonderful? And when you go home, wouldn’t you call together your friends and neighbors? Wouldn’t you say, “Come over and celebrate with me, because I’ve found my lost sheep”? This is how it is in heaven. They’re happier over one sinner who changes his way of life than they are over 99 good and just people who don’t need to change their ways of life.
Or imagine a woman who has 10 silver coins. She loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the whole house, and search diligently until that coin is found? And when she finds it, doesn’t she invite her friends and neighbors and say, “Celebrate with me! I’ve found that silver coin that I lost”? Can’t you understand? There is joy in the presence of all God’s messengers over even one sinner who changes his way of life.
Once there was this man who had two sons. One day the younger son came to his father and said, “Father, eventually I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” And so the father liquidated assets and divided them. A few days passed and this younger son gathered all his wealth and set off on a journey to a distant land. Once there he wasted everything he owned on wild living. He was broke, a terrible famine struck that land, and he felt desperately hungry and in need. He got a job with one of the locals, who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. The young man felt so miserably hungry that he wished he could eat the slop the pigs were eating. Nobody gave him anything.
So he had this moment of self-reflection: “What am I doing here? Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? I’ll get up and return to my father, and I’ll say, ‘Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you. I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants?’” So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him.
The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.”
But the father turned to his servants and said, “Quick! Bring the best robe we have and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Go get the fattest calf and butcher it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found.” So they had this huge party.
Now the man’s older son was still out in the fields working. He came home at the end of the day and heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant said, “Your brother has returned, and your father has butchered the fattest calf to celebrate his safe return.”
The older brother got really angry and refused to come inside, so his father came out and pleaded with him to join the celebration. But he argued back, “Listen, all these years I’ve worked hard for you. I’ve never disobeyed one of your orders. But how many times have you even given me a little goat to roast for a party with my friends? Not once! This is not fair! So this son of yours comes, this wasteful delinquent who has spent your hard-earned wealth on loose women, and what do you do? You butcher the fattest calf from our herd!”
The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours. Isn’t it right to join in the celebration and be happy? This is your brother we’re talking about. He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found again!”
The Book of Luke, Chapter 15 (The Voice)
Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 23rd chapter of the book of Job:
Job confided to his friends.
Job: So once again you are telling me my complaint amounts to rebellion,
that the heavy hand I feel upon me is smothering my groans?
Would that I knew where to find Him.
I would appear before Him.
I would lay my case out before Him;
I would fill up my mouth with arguments.
And then I would finally learn how He would answer me,
and I would understand what He tells me.
Would He oppose me merely with His great power? Surely not!
Surely He would show me the respect of listening to my argument.
There, in that courtroom, a moral man might hope to reason with Him,
and I would escape my Judge forever.
Alas, wherever I go, ahead or behind,
He is not there;
I am unable to find Him.
When He works on either side of me, I still cannot see Him.
I catch no glimpse of Him.
But He knows the course I have traveled.
And I believe that were He to prove me,
I would come out purer than gold from the fire.
My foot has been securely set in His tracks;
I have kept to His course of life without swerving;
I have not departed from the commands of His lips;
I have valued everything He says more than all else.
He alone is one True God; who can alter Him?
Whatever He desires within Himself, He does.
For He will carry out exactly what He has planned for me,
and in the future there are more plans to come.
Therefore, I am deeply troubled before Him;
when I ponder it at any length, I am terrified of Him.
Yes, God has melted my courage,
and the Highest One has overwhelmed me with His terror.
He could have turned me aside when the darkness came,
but He did not cut me off.
Nor does He hide my face from the gloom that has now overtaken me.
The Book of Job, Chapter 23 (The Voice)
my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, April 30 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms
A post by John Parsons that looks into our “rest”
It is written in our Scriptures: "Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and he will bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5). In this verse, the word translated "commit" comes from the Hebrew root galal (גלל), which could be rendered as "roll away" or "heap upon" (the word gal means a heap or pile of stones). The LORD spoke this word when He said to Joshua, "This day have I rolled away (galal) the reproach of Egypt from off you" (Josh. 5:9) and named the place "Gilgal" (גִּלְגָּל), a word-play meaning a wheel or "rolling away." In great mercy the LORD "rolls away" the reproach of our sin.
The word galal can also mean to trust or to commit, with the connotation of "rolling one's trouble" away from oneself upon someone else who can help. Thus the Messiah entrusted (galal) His suffering unto the LORD (Psalm 22:8), and we are likewise encouraged to "commit" (galal) our way to his loving will. When we trust in His love, when we "roll away" the burden of our lives to His care, our thoughts will be "established" and we can freely enjoy the confidence that God Himself is directing our way (Prov. 16:9, Psalm 37:23). We can then experience genuine rest and shalom, despite the tumult of the world and its tribulations.
As the Lord Yeshua cried out, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28), so may we come, rolling away our burdens unto Him, and having our way established in His shalom (1 Pet. 5:7; Psalm 55:22). Amen. [Hebrew for Christians]
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4.29.21 • Facebook
Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research
April 30, 2021
Jehovah
“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.” (Hebrews 1:10)
The primary name for God in Scripture is the majestic name Jehovah, occurring nearly 7,000 times. The early Jews were reluctant to use that name for fear of using it lightly (Exodus 20:7) and substituted the word Adonai (meaning Master or Lord) in its place. Our English versions have followed suit, using the term “Lord” for Jehovah (small or all caps to distinguish it from Adonai, or Lord). Thus, the name Jehovah appears only four times in the King James and causes us at times to miss the full impact of the passage.
This is especially true in the New Testament quotations from Old Testament passages that used the name “Jehovah” for which “Lord” has been substituted. Now in the English versions the name “Lord” appears. If “Jehovah” (i.e., deity) were read instead, much richer meaning would be gathered, and it would prove beyond a doubt the full deity of Christ. Consider two examples.
First, our text quotes from Psalm 102:25-27. The entire psalm consists of praise to Jehovah, and here in Hebrews it addresses the Son. If we read “thou, Jehovah, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth” and realize that Jesus is the subject of the passage, we recognize that Jesus can be none other than the Creator God.
Also, in Matthew 3:3, where John the Baptist fulfilled his prophesied role by teaching “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” quoting from Isaiah 40:3, we see Jesus equated with the Jehovah of the Old Testament, for Isaiah uses the term LORD, or Jehovah.
In these and many other examples, we see Christ as the Jehovah Jesus and that the Lord of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. JDM
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abyboaz · 4 years
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The Psalms force us to rest in God (Psalm 55: 16 - 23)
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The Psalms leave us in lament. Yes, we are to be real with our emotions. But Psalm 55:22 also encourages us to "cast [our] burden on the LORD". Whether it is a psalm of confession, lament, or praise the worshipper is always encouraged to lay his hope on the LORD. Psalm 55 echoes many other psalms that begin with the brokenness of humanity but end with a steadfast trust in the Lord.
Ultimately, There is no other place in which we can find ultimate rest.
So let us ask ourselves : Are we resting in God or in something else? While our Life in a broken world is difficult.
Verses of comfort :
Chapter 55 : 16 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Chapter 54 : 4.But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! 6,7 : I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
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johnchiarello · 5 years
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Sunday sermon
Sunday sermon  6-23-19
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
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 Sunday Sermon Videos-
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhEnvSSqZtPzXYFDU
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7rubte771w2eq7/12-17-17%20Sunday%20sermon.mp4?dl=0
https://youtu.be/Wv7j9rIXdf8 
 Isaiah 55:10
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
 ON VIDEO- [Went to Rock City church this Sunday and spoke on the verses that Pastor David preached on- Have a great Christmas day!]
.Frankie and the cigarette
.Tina’s Cross- the story
.She came back from the dead
.Gave me the Cross
.And went back
.Just Bee
.Jesus at 12
.The scholars were amazed at his questions
.They saw him again one day- when he flipped the tables of the money changers at the temple
.Did they remember it was the same boy about 18 years earlier?
.The Purse story- where did it come from?
.NYC Port Authority
.You cannot serve God and Money- Jesus Christ said this
  Note-
This day I attended Rock City Church- and spoke on some of the verses Pastor David taught on-
I also shared some recent experiences that I wanted to talk about.
 The verse that came to my mind earlier in the day was from Isaiah
 Isaiah 52:14
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
 As we celebrate the birth of Christ during this season- I simply meditated on the price that Jesus paid-
I thought of his miraculous birth- the signs surrounding his life- how his mother ‘pondered’ these strange events as he grew to adulthood-
 And then the 3 years of ministry that he embarked upon after his baptism by John.
How he truly fulfilled the prophecies about him- even the ones that spoke of his rejection from others-
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Some in his day even thought he was mentally unstable-
 20Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21When his familyb heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3
 And even his closets friends doubted him at times-
 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
 Then came the day he was born for- the day that had to be- in order for the promise to come to pass-
This promise-
Luke 2:14 [Full Chapter]
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
This peace came at a price- a heavy one indeed-
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
The price for the peace- was paid for by the suffering of the Son-
A real suffering- a real rejection from his father when he hung on the Cross for our sins-
 Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  His willing obedience to be bruised for us- pleased God-
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
At this season we rejoice in the good news that we can now have peace because Jesus was born-
But it was in his obedience to a cruel death that accomplished the mission-
 Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
 This great peace- came at a heavy cost indeed- he himself is that peace-
 Ephesians 2:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Amen
Other Videos [More teaching below]
God of the living  https://youtu.be/fC4aEuHMrMw
Eat the bread  https://youtu.be/F9phY7iTJms
The Alamo  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhV4AhfBJkd79SqX0
Homeless  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dmjCDsCxfjCd9iPq9F1iS-2Eb3Ll-e3M/view?usp=sharing
Obadiah  https://www.dropbox.com/s/25vgfbcesq9hyua/10-25-16%20Obadiah.mp4?dl=0
Bethlehem Christians  https://flic.kr/p/2g9eW7X
NYC  https://www.instagram.com/tv/BwRhwXOngXg/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
12-30-18  Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMikDBK_ojwYY4GOqs
Ephesians 2  https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcterll6r8stc28/12-9-17%20Ephesians%202.mp4?dl=0
Battle is the Lord’s  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMggOQK53L2lhrcyNE
Story of scripture  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11g_U5PuGzIaCSTW-we2ojuqrbotNh7Jt/view?usp=sharing
The Word endures  https://www.dropbox.com/s/v4o78vuxm9t4aj1/10-23-18%20The%20Word%20endures-%20a%20story%20about%20Elias-%20Gabriel%20n%20Furman-%20father%20n%20son.mp4?dl=0
1 day at a time  https://dai.ly/x76bhu1
Empire st. Bldg.  https://www.bitchute.com/video/LsLhMhccWUHb/
Isaiah 11   https://youtu.be/Ju-Rtsahjwc
Pops  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhV2pXsxY_b4YI750
Ephesians 1  https://www.dropbox.com/s/uve5l1dh546zxcp/11-21-17%20Ephesians-%20Intro-%20chapter%201.mp4?dl=0
The keys  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMghOfbWlMjvR_4_GV
Mark 4  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IngmQv7VNE4Rp_AcNd0SVRrvJ6WfMKKg/view?usp=sharing
Anti christ  https://www.dropbox.com/s/lh23p97mbfzx4og/10-23-16%20anti-christ%20%5B2nd-3rd%20jn.%5D.mp4?dl=0
Acts 25  https://flic.kr/p/2g8Aunz
Teaching with Henry  https://d.tube/v/ccoutreach/biajftkk
12-23-18  Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMiAorylDLvJ2sh_Nz
Galatians 6  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yO3UOIO0Zhqmd71Jd0jy-Y9Mnh6OvUV2/view?usp=sharing
Samuel 29-30  https://youtu.be/YVFtxrOUtvg
The table  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMghK5EFHhKzy1lh8I
North Bergen https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jKdY9DAel8dSoJR8yweKiBw3N1tQ4Y9p/view?usp=sharing
10-22-17 Sunday sermon  https://www.dropbox.com/s/nmfj5rte16qi47h/10-22-17%20Sunday%20Sermon.mp4?dl=0
Transcendence  https://d.tube/v/ccoutreach/tzina6xo
Acts 2  https://flic.kr/p/2g7Zibn
You can’t serve God and money  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMil_TsnyT9-bp0pFy
Galatians 5  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lwmPSpW7_C7hFm8db3ATHRmqQfm1tJEb/view?usp=sharing
  PAST POSTS- [Past teachings that relate]
https://ccoutreach87.com/romans-updated-2015/
https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/
https://ccoutreach87.com/john-complete-links-added/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/12/13/ephesians-2/ 
https://ccoutreach87.com/house-of-prayer-or-den-of-thieves/ 
John 12
POSTED BY CCOUTREACH87 ⋅ AUGUST 13, 2016 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT
JOHN 12- Psalm 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. https://youtu.be/iImxoD3cRfQ Update [Heb. 7] https://youtu.be/Kr88cCjY-Hc John 12 [Heb.6] https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/8-11-16-john-12-heb-6.zip ONVIDEO [update- Heb. 7] .Clinton pay for play .Assange- Snowden- NSA .Feds report on Baltimore cops .Sandra Bland cops admitted they did not check on her- she hung herself. .They admitted they faked the police reports .They both got hired at another police dept. – no penalty at all .Samuel 15- and Hebrews 7 .Turkey- NATO. .The U.S. will soon pull out of Syria- Turkey believes we were behind the coup- why? .Correction on Trump statement .Taliban resurgence ON VIDEO [John 12- Heb. 6] .Process precedes promotion .New Testament in context .He didn’t care for the poor .Let’s kill him too! .Crucifixion is glory .How to fulfill your calling .Rain maker .It’s not a crack pipe
NEW STUFF- [my links- verses below] In the last chapter Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Now he goes to have a meal with the family. The bible says Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus. I read a psalm the other day [81] and it reminded me of us being at ‘the table’ with Jesus Psalm 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Now- as they sit and eat- Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus- it fills the house with the sweet smell. One of the disciples says ‘hey- what a waste- we could have sold it and used it for the poor’. Jesus rebukes him ‘you always have the poor with you- but I will not be here too much longer’. John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Jesus said this to Judas- because he held the money ‘for the poor’ and was stealing it- for his own use.
Yet- I find it interesting- Jesus did not expose him. He simply said it in a way that would let Judas know- that he knew. Jesus then enters into a great trial- he says things like ‘should I ask God to save me from this hour- no- this is the whole reason I am here’. He’s preparing for the Cross- and it will entail him being separated from God- in a way that he never experienced before. Jesus was always with the Father- from all eternity. For him to be forsaken of God for our sins- was an experience that he never knew before. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2nd Cor.
And that was the test- he was not afraid to die- but he would have the wrath of God come on him as he hung on the Cross. He would experience the price for the sins of the world. And yet- even though this was his Divine destiny- the struggle was there. Often times in our lives- we ask for God to use us- we want to fulfill our mission. But then the day of the Cross appears- the things that are often hard to carry. Jesus warned us to ‘hate our life’ in this world- to be ready to enter into to the true purpose of the Father- and at that point- to embrace the Cross. John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Because it will be thru that actual experience- that God’s purpose will come forth. He tells his men ‘walk while you have the light- because when darkness comes- no man can walk then’. God gives us ‘light’ he opens doors of opportunity thru out our journey- and it’s at those moments that you must embrace them. As I have been teaching on the book of Samuel- the big rebuke that Saul often gets is ‘you are not obeying God’s voice’. We read the same in the book of Hebrews ‘if you hear his voice this day- then you must believe’. Saul- like many of us- was willing to engage in religious ritual [I saved the sheep- because I thought we could use them for the religious ritual]. Yet God wants obedience- to listen to him when he speaks- more than us just doing ‘ministry’. So Jesus tells us- walk while you have that light- that Divine direction. John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Because if you miss the door- the ‘window of opportunity’ it might be a very long time- if ever- when you get another chance to ‘just do it’. At the end of the chapter Jesus says he spoke only the things that the Father showed to him. John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
He exemplified what he just taught. The importance of hearing God- and acting daily on that. In the Lord’s prayer- he taught us how to ask for daily bread. How the important thing is to act in obedience on a daily basis- when we hear his voice ‘today’ we must not harden our heart. We must not think ‘well- today God has told me to do this- or to avoid this’. But I will be doing ‘ministry’ tomorrow- and I think I will do ‘my thing’ today. No- that’s the trap. Saul thought he would save the sheep- and use them for an offering to God.
But God told Saul to destroy- everything. The prophet Samuel rebuked him ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’. 1Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Jesus was telling us the same thing.
MY LINKS- https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/hebrews-updated-2015/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/1st-2nd-samuel/ [Old commentary I wrote years ago] VIDEO/POST LINKS- https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/every-cop-a-criminal/ [1-2 Samuel] https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/when-the-saints-go-marching-in-sam-3-john-2-4/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/just-a-box-samuel-4/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/would-you-be-isis/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/07/samuel-5-6/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/samuel-7-8/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/samuel-9/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/23/samuel-10/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/the-chapel/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/samuel-11-kings-n-priests/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/samuel-12-13/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/09/samuel-14/ https://youtu.be/iImxoD3cRfQ Samuel preview
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/15/jesus-christ/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/father-abraham/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/the-flood/ John 3 https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/the-well-john-4/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/john-5/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/john-6/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/john-7/ https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/8-10-15-john-14.zip https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/john-8/ https://youtu.be/f8VpxlYM_kU John 8- ‘who the Son sets free’ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/john-9/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/john-10/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/john-11-the-8th-sign/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/i-found-a-verse/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/1st-2nd-corinthians/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/romans-updated-2015/ https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/christian-recovery-from-addiction-long-version/
VERSES- Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Psalm 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Psalm 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Psalm 81:4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. Psalm 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. John 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. John 12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; John 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. John 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. John 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. John 12:20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. John 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. John 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 1Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 1Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 1Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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 (565)  John 3[radio # 586]- Nicodemus comes secretly to Jesus, he is one of the few in leadership that is having doubts. The others with one voice reject Jesus, Nicodemus is wondering. Jesus rebukes him for being a ‘ruler’ of the Jews and not being able to comprehend the most basic stuff. I have found it disheartening over the years to talk with Pastors who heard someone teach that because Jesus had an expensive coat, that he must have been rich. Despite all the evidence in the New Testament how Jesus was the son of a carpenter and lived an average life. The tons of verses where Jesus is reproving rich people. The whole historical and biblical truth of Jesus being a man of humble means. The fact that he had an expensive coat can more than likely be explained by the custom of people doing extravagant acts of worship towards him. The woman and the expensive perfume poured on him. Things like this. Someone probably gave him the coat. But for Pastors, who are good men, to fall for this stuff was unbelievable. Sort of like Jesus telling Nicodemus ‘you are a leader and can’t discern the most basic stuff’! Jesus teaches the reality of the new birth. All people must be born of God thru belief in Jesus, or they will not be saved. We must stand strong for Jesus as the only way to God. John the Baptist will be told that all men are going to Jesus. John says ‘great, he must increase and I must decrease’ John understood that the role of leadership [prophets] was to point to the fame and persona of Jesus. Not to go down the common road of pointing people towards us. In modern ministry we draw people to our gifts and abilities. We structure modern churches around the gift of the Pastor. We allow leadership to become preeminent in our minds and thoughts. John knew better. We also see that the wrath of God abides on all who do not believe in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus you escape Gods wrath. It can’t touch you. Whether you are in heaven or earth, or like David said ‘in hell you are there’. That is you can’t escape Gods presence anywhere. So if you are in Christ, wrath can’t get you. If you are not in Christ, it continually abides on you. You do not escape wrath by leaving the planet during the tribulation. If an unbeliever was on a rocket ship right before the tribulation started, and wound up on the moon during the 7 years of wrath, he wouldn’t escape Gods wrath. You don’t escape judgment by being in the right geographical location, you escape it by being IN HIM! John also says a man can receive nothing unless it is given to him. Why be jealous if all of our gifts and abilities are free gifts? We act like we earned them! John says no man receives his testimony, then he says ‘to those who have received it’. What’s this mean? Paul told the Corinthians that we have received the Spirit of God so we might know the things that are freely given to us from God. God gives us his Spirit first, so we can receive his testimony. This goes back to the early centuries of the church and hits all the major doctrines on sovereignty. Augustine, Calvin, Luther [Yes Luther was a strong believer in predestination, it was no accident that he was an Augustinian monk!] Paul tells the Ephesians that were are dead in sins and completely incapable of receiving spiritual truth until God pours his Spirit into us and we become alive. Thank God that even though no man [in the natural] can receive his testimony, that God gives us his Spirit and births us so we can know the things that he has freely given to us in Christ!
HEBREWS 4-6 [Just made the video- so today you get ‘real time’- P.S.- to my kids- the carnival looks good- maybe we will go today? Text me- dad.]
CHAPTER 4:
NEW NOTES BELOW-
.SABBATH REST
 ‘Let us therefore fear [Jews in the first century, not Christians in the 21st century! At least in this context] lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest [now defined as the New Covenant rest. Paul is telling Israel God has left you a promise of rest in Messiah, where you will cease from your own works [law], beware Israel, our forefathers missed out on the promise because of unbelief, don’t do the same!] any of you should come short of it, for unto us was the gospel preached [1st century Israel] as well as unto them [Israel at the edge of entering the promised land had the gospel [good news] preached to them by Joshua and Caleb, they gave the ‘good report’ that the land was great and it was there for the taking, of course they didn’t believe and therefore couldn’t take it] but the word did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
 For WE WHICH HAVE BELEIVED [the remnant of Jews who were believing in the first century were entering into the rest of the New Covenant of grace, they left off trying to be made righteous by the law, they ceased from their own works] do enter into rest…for he spake in a certain place of the 7th day on this wise, and God did rest the 7th day from all his works, and again, if they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it still remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: again he limits a certain day in David [Psalms] today if you will HEAR HIS VOICE [as opposed to the voice of the law/Moses] harden not your hearts. For if Joshua [my king James says ‘Jesus’ this is because the translation is the same] had given them rest then he would not have spoken of another day, there remaineth therefore a rest TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD! [Jewish people ‘of God’ not gentile converts!]. Well, we covered a lot here. Paul takes the creation account, the verses that will later speak of a future rest for Gods people, and then a verse from Psalms where David prophesies that there still remains a future rest. He puts them all together to show Israel that God has ordained a future ‘7th day’ for his people to enter into. He uses the 7th day as a symbol of Gods ‘day of Grace and rest’.
 He then shows Israel that it really wasn’t speaking of the rest of the Promised Land after all, because eventually Israel did inherit it, but yet David still spoke of it in the future tense. So Paul concludes that the future rest of the 7th day that ‘Gods people’ [Jews] still must enter is the offer of grace to the 1st century Jew. Wow! This is why some theologians feel Paul was a little too loose with the scriptures. I think this stuff is great! Paul basically was using all of his understanding as a first century theologian [Pharisee] and was absolutely proving Christ to Israel in a way that none of the other Apostles could do. He was the only Pharisee out of all the Apostles, one born out of due time. This is obviously why Jesus chose him. It is so important to see the connections that Paul is making here. If Israel were following the timeline that Paul is giving, they will see that their own Old Testament scriptures testify that there was a future ‘place of rest’ that would be offered to them as a nation.
 And Paul also shows that in history, Israel had a pattern of not entering into ‘this rest’ because of unbelief. And then he says ‘but the rest that Joshua finally did give them [the promised land] wasn’t really the true rest after all, because David still spoke of it in a future tense’ then he says ‘see, there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God’. Seeing this in context clears up many wrong interpretations of these passages. You can still read Hebrews as a Christian and get wonderful principles, but you must see it in context to truly understand what its saying. ‘For he that hath entered into rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his’ amazing, Paul says just like God ceased from creative activity on the ‘7th day’ so likewise when we enter into the covenant of grace, we too will cease from the works of the law. This is so significant to the Jewish community whom Paul is addressing. He is showing them, in their language [Old Testament] the same things he writes to the gentiles in Galatians and Romans.
 He is using the story of Genesis to show the truth of grace. Out of all the Apostles, Paul is unique in his ability to see Jesus in all of these Old Testament stories. No one could have made a better apologetic for the Christian faith than Paul. ‘Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall into the same example of unbelief’ Now, I have heard it taught that this is telling Christians to ‘work for your rest’. This would be a complete contradiction to this entire letter. But if you see this in context, that the recipients of this letter are 1st century Jews who are already under the bondage of the law, then you read this as ‘those of you Jews who are always working to try and make yourselves righteous, you need to stop working for this, but instead let all your labors and struggles end up at the Cross’ in essence ‘labor [struggle] to see these things I am showing you, and if you do you will find rest’ in the New Covenant of grace! ‘Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession, for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ This of course applies to all of us. Paul and other New Testament writers saw redemption in a way that naturally included everybody. It was only those who rejected it thru unbelief that were missing out. This is why you will see statements made like ‘Jesus is the savior of all men, specially of those that believe’ there was a real sense in the early church that Jesus really redeemed everybody.
 They were not preaching universal salvation in the sense that everybody will be saved. But the gospel was presented in a way that simply included everybody. So here Paul says ‘we have a high priest’ he is including Israel in the ‘we’. I also like to apply these verses to all of us. How many times do we feel intimidated to come before Gods throne? We feel unworthy and God seems unapproachable. Sort of like Saint John of the Cross who experienced the ‘dark night of the soul’ as well as Mother Theresa. There are times where believers feel separated from God’s real presence. It is during these times when God says ‘come boldly, I too have experienced weakness and separation thru the incarnation. I know what it is like. Come to me, I can see what you feel like, I can feel your feelings of weakness and inadequacy, come to me for help my child’. In the next chapter we will read this in depth. Jesus and all the high priests of the law were able to identify with man because they were at one time in mans shoes. This is one of the great realities of the incarnation.
NEW NOTES-
.SABBATH REST
 Remember context- in this chapter the writer is appealing to his Jewish brothers.
And he reminds them of their own history- he says ‘just like our forefathers died in the wilderness- because they did not BELIEVE’-
So beware- if you now reject this new offer of REST- it will be because of UNBELIEF.
The writer is making an argument for Justification by Faith here.
He spiritualizes the promise of the Promised Land- and the story of Creation and Sabbath Day.
He says ‘ok- God RESTED himself on the 7th Day of Creation’.
This REST [a type of rest found in Christ and the New Covenant- based on Faith/Grace- NOT WORKS -The law].
Was not the Rest promised to Israel when they entered the Promised Land.
Why?
Because King David says many years later- in Psalms 95- that a Rest is still in the future.
What Rest?
The 1st century offer of Grace- thru Faith- not works.
See how important context is?
So- when he says ‘there still remains a REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD’- He is not talking to Christians- as this verse is often seen.
No- in the letter of Hebrews- the People of God are the Jewish nation- who now must ‘labor- work- strive’ to believe the Promise of Messiah- and enter into rest.
These verses only make sense in this context.
Preachers often teach the verse ‘strive to enter into rest- people of God’.
And apply that to Christians- who are already ‘in rest’.
No- that’s the wrong setting for these verses.
But- to the 1st century Jew- under the law- then it makes sense.
They were at a transition stage- they were still under the law [works] and they had to beware- because this present promise of grace- just like the Old Testament Promise of entering into the Promised Land- is based on faith.
So- when the writer says ‘if you strive- and hear this Gospel of Grace- you can enter into the Sabbath Day Rest’ [a symbol of the covenant of Grace].
And have Rest.
See?
NOTE- It’s not an ‘accident’ that the writer quotes from Psalms 95- written by Kind David.
Jesus is identified as ‘The Son of David’ so it’s thru the Davidic line that the promise of Rest would ultimately be fulfilled.
In a sense the writer is saying ‘The Joshua that lead our Fathers into the Promised Land was not the Real One- but the Joshua of the New Testament [Jesus and Joshua are the same word in the Hebrew/Greek English translation] has now come thru the Line of David- and he will lead us into the True Rest- if you Believe’
Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Psalm 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Psalm 95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Psalm 95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Psalm 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
Psalm 95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Hebrews 4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Hebrews 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Hebrews 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Hebrews 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
.
CHAPTER 12:
END NOTES-
A HEAVENLY CITY.
DON’T BE SAD, HE’S TREATING YOU LIKE A SON.
NO REPENTANCE- OUTSIDE OF CHRIST THAT IS.
CULTURE SHOCK IS HARD ON US ALL.
 ‘Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses [all the heroes of the last chapter!] let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us’ a few practical things. Paul compares the journey to a marathon, not a sprint! The patient runner who paces himself will receive a reward. The sprinter will look good at the start, but you never see him again! I have been blessed by so many gifted people over the years. Some who were on radio, or were doing some type of ministry for the Lord. The gifts and callings were truly on these people. A few years would go by and they were no where to be found. Where did they go? Some of them jumped on the latest ‘Christian movement’ [I am not against movements from God, I just feel we get enamored by them and give up on the main thing the Lord has called us to] some walked away from the Lord.
 I have come to realize that God will put certain things in you from the early days, things that he predestined for you to fulfill before you were born. These are the things that you should be faithful to. Don’t abandon the original calling, it’s still there! You can spend your whole life leaving one ‘track’ and ‘sprinting’ in another. But God wants you to stay on the original course and run it with patience. It might not seem as glamorous or exciting as the newest race in town, but at the end you will receive a reward. ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that ENDURED such contradiction of sinners…and ye have forgotten the exhortation that speaketh to you as children [remember what we said about this type of privileged language in Hebrews? It is speaking to Israel] my son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art REBUKED of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons’.
 Now, for many years I read this just like you. That God was telling Christians that he disciplines them. True enough. But in context what is Paul saying here? He spent 11 chapters ‘reproving’ Israel. He told them that all the sacrifices and wonderful holidays and family traditions are no more. That Messiah has fulfilled it and you can’t keep doing it. Now, how would you feel if some know it all preacher came along and totally dismantled your whole way of worship? And you knew in your heart he was right! You would take offence. You would feel like you just got ‘chastened’ up and down and all over. Your initial reaction would be ‘this is too much correction in one letter, I am tired of reading it!’ so Paul is telling Israel ‘Don’t take all this reproof the wrong way, Gods intent is to get you to move on with the program. He loves you guys; don’t forget that scripture [Old Testament] says ‘who God loves he chastens’ hey, God is just dealing with you as children who he loves’ get it? ‘We have had fathers of the flesh that corrected us…shall we not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits and live?’ Paul is saying ‘you guys want to live [eternal life] then you need to submit to the correction the father is giving you’.
 ‘For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness’ Now, God does chasten believers for the purpose of holiness. Scripture says ‘those who have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin, that they should no longer spend the rest of their days in the flesh pursuing the desires of the flesh, but the will of God’ ‘before I was afflicted I went astray, but after I kept thy word’ ‘thou in faithfulness hath afflicted me’ ‘though he were a son yet learned he obedience from the things he suffered’ ‘the captain of our salvation was made perfect thru suffering’ [the last 2 are in this letter, the others are some where in scripture, I just quoted them off the top of my head. As you can see I have some familiarity with this subject! Ouch] In context Paul is saying to Israel ‘you have tried to attain holiness thru legalistic means, by keeping the law [Romans 9-the last few verses] but until you submit to Gods chastening, and have faith in God, you will not truly have his ‘holiness’ [righteousness].
 So God is disciplining them thru this letter so they will ‘believe and become righteous’ as opposed to staying in the old system of law. ‘Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous [old brother Paul, he sure knew how to understate things!] nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS to them that are exercised [or exorcised! Just kidding, but it can feel like this at times] thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down…and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame [broken] be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed’ David said ‘restore to me the joy of your salvation that the bones which YOU HAVE BROKEN may rejoice’ The danger of chastening [both for Christians and Israel] is that we get so broken that we never fully recover. Paul is telling Israel ‘I know it’s been hard on you guys to hear so much rebuke. Don’t walk away totally discouraged. There is a danger that you might respond to Gods correction the wrong way. Lift up your hands, shake off the depression, and let yourselves be healed. God wants to restore you!’
 ‘Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for HE FOUND NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE though he sought it carefully with tears’. This is another reason why reading Hebrews in context is important. One of the themes of this letter is ‘if you miss out on it now, you can’t repent later!’[Chapter 6]. We know that Pauls other letters to the churches leave open future repentance for those who have sinned. In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians we see this being done. But in Hebrews the idea is ‘if you pass on the Cross, you can not find repentance thru any other means. There is no other place for repentance’. So this is the reason why Hebrews has this theme of ‘no future repentance’ thru out the letter. Paul is certainly not telling Israel that if they decide to repent and accept Christ at a future date, they can’t! But he is saying ‘if you pass over this sacrifice of Christ, all the other ‘sacrifices’ and means of repentance that are contained in the law will have no future effect, remember Esau!’
 ‘For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched…but ye are come to Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [the church]…and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Able’ Here Paul comes back to a ‘scarlet thread’ that runs thru out this letter. He says ‘hey, you think the first covenant was a fearful thing, watch out! If you disregard this covenant [Jesus blood] then you have gone against something that is much greater than the law’. Also the ‘blood of Able’ cried out from the ground for vengeance, the blood of Jesus cries out from heaven for mercy and forgiveness! It ‘speaks’ better things than that of Able! ‘See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth [Moses and the law] much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him which speaketh from heaven’ again Paul repeats themes he hit on earlier in this letter. He says ‘Moses spoke Gods Word [law] to you from an earthly mountain and place, you are come to a heavenly mountain [Sion-spiritual Jerusalem] and Jesus is speaking to you from heaven. This is much more strict than he who spoke from earth’.
 ‘Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom that can not be moved, let us HAVE GRACE, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire’ Though Paul doesn’t say it [I think he should have!] but this alludes to the ‘God’ of Moses day, who did not consume the burning bush, compared to the ‘God’ of today [new covenant] who will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire! This fits in with the theme of a harsher punishment for those who reject the covenant of grace as opposed to those who rejected the covenant of law. I know these themes are not popular, but this is clearly the way Paul is presenting them. I also am not saying the ‘God’ of the Old Testament is different from the ‘God’ of the new [this is the heresy of Marcion! I think that was his name. He was an early Christian heretic who comprised the first canon of scripture for a ‘new testament’ it included basically Paul’s letters, and he taught that The God of the new testament was different from the God in the old] but Paul is presenting the new covenant in a way that says ‘don’t neglect this new way of salvation, those who do will receive a harsher judgment than those who rejected the law’.
END NOTES-
A HEAVENLY CITY.
DON’T BE SAD, HE’S TREATING YOU LIKE A SON.
NO REPENTANCE- OUTSIDE OF CHRIST THAT IS.
CULTURE SHOCK IS HARD ON US ALL.
Once again we see the contrast between ‘he that spoke from earth’ [Moses- the law]- and he that ‘speaks from heaven’ [Jesus covenant is more strict- to those outside of it and reject it- because he has heavenly authority- Moses had earthly]. Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
 The writer says ‘don’t be sad- God disciplines every son who he receives’- though this certainly applies to Christians- Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
 Remember this- though the message of grace and Jesus as the Messiah is wonderful- especially to us Gentile believers-
Yet- it was indeed a cultural shock to the 1st century Jew-
Why?
Even though Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophets- yet in order for the Jewish person to accept this [Like the apostle Paul]
He had to accept a real cultural change in the religion he practiced from his youth-
He was being asked to stop the animal sacrifices- to ‘move on’ from the Law covenant- and to embrace Christ.
Now- in reality- it would be the fulfillment of all that was contained in the law- but it’s often hard for anyone to ‘move on’ from former religious practices that are embedded in his culture.
So- in context ‘Don’t be sad- God is disciplining you- showing you new stuff- and it’s tough for sure- but he does this with all the sons he receives’.
We also see the promise of the heavenly city- As opposed to the earthly one. Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
 The writer is speaking about the church- and how both Jew and Gentile are part of this spiritual community coming down from God out of heaven.
And again we see the warning- of no repentance- for those who keep sinning.
I stress that this is never taught to the Gentile churches- as a matter of fact the Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians- about a sinning brother- sleeping with his father’s wife [his step mom].
And In the 2nd letter- this brother repented- and Paul exhorted the church to receive him back into fellowship.
But to the 1st century Jew- still not fully in the covenant- he says ‘Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
In keeping with the theme of the letter- Jesus is now the only acceptable means of repentance- and if you reject him as the Messiah- and continue in sin- then yes- there is no repentance.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
     VERSES- These are the verses I either quoted or taught on Today’s video- Sunday Sermon.
 Ephesians 3:15
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Isaiah 2:3
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
  Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Isaiah 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
 Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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Does the scripture actually say that Jesus is God? OT and NT references.
The validity of the Bible is unprecedented and unmatched by any other document in history. In fact, an additional article will be upcoming to support this information.
For now, let’s look for clues in the Bible about who Jesus really is. I’ll primarily be using versions such as the NASB, KJV, and NKJV, as they are among the closest to word-for-word translations.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
According     to John chapter 1, Jesus is the Word of God which IS God and WITH God. (By     the way, this speaks to the trinity). The Word became flesh. Therefore,     logic tells us that God became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ.
These next verses made them want to stone Him!
John 8:49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”
52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going[b] through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Jesus said     that it was HIS word which, if kept, keeps one from death; this made the     Pharisees angry. They responded with, “Who do you think are??” Jesus tells     them that they lie about who He is because they don’t truly know who God     is.
When Jesus     mentions having close, personal experiences with Abraham, the men were     all, “You’re not even fifty years old! How could you have possibly seen     Abraham??”
Since they     still weren’t getting the point, Jesus spells it out for them. He makes it     clear that He existed before Abraham. However, He also drops an even     bigger bomb… He uses the secret name of God, “I am.” THAT is why the Jews wanted to stone Him. He was clearly claiming to be God.
Remember the use of “I am” from the Old Testament: Exodus 3:14, "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'; and He said, Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"
WHO IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD?
Psalm 80:1  Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
Psalm 79:13  So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture Will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise.
Psalm 95:7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand Today, if you would hear His voice,
Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Ezekiel 34:31 "As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God," declares the Lord GOD.
Genesis 48:15  He blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
Genesis 49:24  But his bow remained firm, And his arms were agile, From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
Hosea 4:16  Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the LORD now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field?
Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
Jeremiah 31:10  Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare in the coastlands afar off, And say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock."
Ezekiel 34:17=22 "As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats. 'Is it too slight a thing for you that you should feed in the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures? Or that you should drink of the clear waters, that you must foul the rest with your feet? 'As for My flock, they must eat what you tread down with your feet and drink what you foul with your feet!'"
....and there are so many more. The above verses show one clear notion: GOD is the SHEPHERD. Who else is referred to as the Shepherd? 
Matthew 25:31-33  31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (REFERENCE that Son of Man is God and the Shepherd)
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (JESUS IS TALKING HERE.) 
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (JESUS IS TALKING HERE.) 
Matthew 19:17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (BRIEF REMINDER THAT JESUS SAID ONLY GOD IS GOOD. SO, WHY did Jesus call Himself “good” here?)
JESUS SPELLS IT OUT FOR THE PHARISEES: 
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." 34Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 
This next verse makes it clear that God doesn’t share His glory with anyone:
Isaiah 42:8 "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.
However, look at these verses from John…
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
So, we     know that the Bible teaches that there is one God, and only He shall be     glorified. We also see from these verses that both the Father AND Son are     glorified. This not only speaks to the deity of Jesus Christ, but to the     trinity.
“Before     the world was” tells us that Jesus existed long before His earthly birth.
John 20:25-28 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
This is referring to Jesus Christ in this verse: Col. 2:9, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."
The Father is calling the Son “God” in this verse: Hebrews 1:8, "But of the Son He says, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom."
And the ABOVE verse was reflected back in this verse: Psalm 45:6, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom."
In this verse, Jesus establishes that worship is for God alone: Matt. 4:10, "Then Jesus said to him, 'Begone, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."’"
However, numerous verses show where people worshiped Jesus:
Matt. 2:2, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him."
Matt. 2:11, "And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh."
Matt. 14:33, "And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God’s Son!"
Matt. 28:9, "And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them.  And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him."
John 9:35-38, "Jesus heard that they had put him out; and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"  36 He answered and said, "And who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"  37 Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you."  38 And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."
Heb. 1:6, "And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship Him.'"
1 Cor. 1:1-2, "Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours."  (The phrase, "to call upon the name of the Lord" is a phrase used to designate prayer).
1 Kings 18:24, "Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God."  And all the people answered and said, "That is a good idea."
Zech. 13:9, "And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested.They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’"
Acts 10:25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” (If Jesus was NOT God, this is what He would’ve said.)
Rev. 5:12-14 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped 
The following verses from Isaiah and Revelation show, again, the divinity of Jesus Christ:
Isaiah 44:6, "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me."
(Jesus is speaking here.) Rev. 1:17-18, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
From the following verses, we see that Moses and his people are being led by the Lord:
Exodus 13:20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might [a]travel by day and by night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Aside from all of these verses, there are hundreds more that point to Him being the Messiah from OT prophecies. Jesus fulfilled with 100% accuracy all of the Messianic prophecies. The odds of that happening randomly are virtually impossible. This is, of course, another topic to be discussed another day.
So, what do you think? Do the scriptures say that Jesus is God?
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pastorcowboy · 5 years
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Matthew series week 19 who is the greatest Pt. 1
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Matthew series: Ministry of Jesus (Who is the greatest Pt 1)
Matthew 18: Humble like children
I can see it so clearly. We look at this book of Matthew like a story and teachings. There are famous verses and famous theological points. In school they wanted me to know these points. Yet, the point of the book was ignored. It’s not like I have found some mystical answers in Matthew. I just think I see what he was driving at. This book is a warning on bad Christianity. Matthew gives us foundation and story, yet there is so much more.
In most sermons there are three points. They say that a three-point argument is a good one. Matthew uses three-fold themes all through this book. If we hear Jesus say Blessed are the pure at heart, we think “oh how profound.” Later Jesus is telling us here in Matthew 18 to come to God like little ones. The disciples wanted to know who runs heaven. Will they run heaven? I’m not so sure the disciples ever really got Jesus. A warning? Yes, we should take this book seriously. It’s profound strictly because we want to master this book. To know it’s great verses and deep theology. This book wants us to be humbled so that the message within masters us. Makes us Christian in the truest sense like little ones.
I have met so many children that grew up in church circles. Most of them would not touch church as they pasted into their adult years. Why? Was church so bad? I doubt it, but something is wrong in how we invite children to worship. I believe it’s because they watch us. They see bad Christianity. The word hypocrite is strong in these adults. Because, we have stressed certain verses? Because, we stress to be like Jesus? The stumbling block to believing is massive. We weren’t meant to be perfect, but humble before the perfect God. This chapter is nasty. I say this with a smile. Don’t just read it once. Do you highlight and proof read? Be honest with skimming. Allow yourself to come to God like a child?
Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Proverbs 22:6 “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.”
It could be easy to get hung up on words. I truly believe that Matthew chose lofty words at times to trip people up. That sounds weird for the Bible. Does it? People have accused Jesus of using parables to trip people up. The prophets were accused of using prophesy to trip people up. What trips people? It’s making the stories so interesting that you forget the book. It’s looking for more than is there. It’s making the Bible story fit your point. In the end, you forget why your reading. You forget the message. A message that says its God’s way. It’s God’s plan. It’s not about what we should take but what God is saying.
Great themes in the Bible. Who is greatest in the Kingdom asks the disciples? Bring back one sheep. Forgive 70 times or 70 times 7. It’s important to memorize these verses. It’s important to know your Bible. There are so many famous verses. Forgive like your heavenly father. Train a child is ringing in my ears. I like memory verses. Knowing your Bible is good. Yet, we have lost something in that. They say to never take a verse out of context. I am wondering if skipping to famous verses just to memorize them does just that. In the end, we argue over how many times to forgive. We argue over saving one sheep and ignoring the 99. We argue over how to be humble before God. What verses are you stuck on?
Matthew 18:35 “So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
I am a broken record. I feel Matthew repeats themes in this book because he is beating us over the head until we get it. Three-point sermons, get it. In the end, I feel Jesus is doing just that in his ministry. He keeps repeating be humble. Listen to me. Look for what God is doing. There are probably more. Yet, there it is. In his time with Jesus, I think Matthew silently got it. Christianity was never meant to rule. It was meant to change us. This book is a training manual because of that. Remember where you came from. Remember Jesus words. Remember your place among the people. Like the little ones.
Matthew 21:15-16 “But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”"
Psalm 8:2 “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” For next week read Matthew 18. Also read 1 Peter 2.
1.       The little ones. There it is in black and white. There is no messing around here. Jesus gathered the little ones and looked the disciples in the eye. Who is the greatest? Ironically, who is rejected by society: the disciples? It’s you, fishermen. It’s you, tax collectors. It’s you prostitutes and sinners. Yet, there is Jesus standing in the mist of them and not the authorities. Jesus is with naive and stupid children. Stare at this chapter. Jesus is in the middle of the ignored. What Matthew is saying is don’t ignore those you feel are the least in the kingdom.
Who is at fault at church? Who is at fault at work? Stare at this chapter again. Come to church or work like a little one. See people as people. They are not jerks or villains. They are little children lost in this world. We are called to point out sin, not to rebuke it like a baseball bat Bible. It’s to train a child in the way they should go. I got duped at church over a girl. It was a mess. The pastor rebuked me, but he gave me a book on being a Jesus man. It changed and trained me. Don’t come in authority. Come in humility because we’ve all been there. Come with compassion to train rather than rebuke. Like little ones.
Yes, the curators of the Bible thought it smart to make chapter 18 from a scroll. They put in chapters to help us read these scriptures better. The lines could move at times, yet forgiveness should be part of this theme on the little ones. The children are not mentioned, but their spirit is. Children forgive better than any adult. Children look at others through innocent eyes. It’s good and bad that we have headings and chapters. Yet, they should remind us of different ways we could be humble. Different ways we can forgive. There are also different ways we can be stumbling blocks to little ones.
Matthew 18:33” Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’"
Exodus 21:2 ““If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom.”
 2.       Hmm… How to enter heaven? I knew a man that believed he will enter heaven strictly because he believed he was forgiven by God. Yet, there was something else. He believed he did not willfully sin anymore. It’s amazing were not friends. He was concerned that I had a stumbling block to heaven. He was not concerned with helping me past sin. He was more concerned about associating with likeminded people. I might infect him. Is that the message we want to give people trying to find God in heaven?
At times Jesus like to use the ‘woe” word. He used it in Matthew 11 for not repenting. He uses it in Matthew 18 for creating stumbling blocks. He uses it in Matthew 23 for false teaching and bad religion. It’s all bad Christianity. How to enter heaven? The answer? Is not found in creating stumbling blocks. It’s not found in rejecting people. It’s not found in saying you forgive. Ironically church is not great at this. They are far more concerned with the 99-paying sheep than the one who walked away.
Christians and Bible readers set up rules to enter heaven. Different denominations have different rules. Different religions have different rules and names for heaven. Yet, it’s not our heaven. We don’t make the rules. I am stunned by Noah building the ark for a hundred years. On the day the doors closed, I could see all those people banging to get in. I also think about the end of times. When the church is taken from earth, where will the people go to bang on the shut door? Maybe our door should be open before that happens?
Matthew 18:22 “Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."
Genesis 18:26 “The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
 3.       What is God like? I thought this chapter was about the little ones. I thought it was about forgiveness and getting into heaven? The character of God is in full display here. It’s Jesus. If he is God then there it is. God the Father on display through his Son. We are so concerned with what the Bible teaches that we miss the important stuff. How many times to forgive? Who is the greatest? Rules for approaching behavior in church. Yet, there is God’s character fully exposed and we missed it. The Christian template missed in the mist of famous verses.
 God is humble. Wait a minute, God does not humble himself. Really? He came to earth as a man and not as a God. He humbled himself to be honoring of his children. He has compassion for the ignorant. Make no stumbling blocks for the small. He shows compassion and concern for the lost. He has faith in the saved 99. Time after time God will return to sinners offering them a way through. He came himself in the Old Testament in several ways (Sodom and Gomorrah). He asks us to approach with two to make things right in a disagreement. God says forgive until you forgive. God will do right with those who do right.
God’s character? Do what is right, just, and honorable. Be humble to the weak, poor, children, and lost. Never give up on anyone. Put himself in harms way for others. Those are the Christian attributes. Sure, we can memorize scripture. It’s good. Yet, we are to be the template of Jesus on others. Why don’t Christian children remain in church? The numbers say the majority don’t. Again, this is the warning. Train a child by coming to Christ like a child yourself. Be humble like children. Be curious and forgiving like the little ones. Be God like character in all you do. That is the Christian template we are to pass on.
Matthew 18:27“And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt."
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
 4.       Let’s take a quick look at three big daddies in the Bible. The first is verses 6-9. People take Jesus literally and they should. I could say I’m so hungry I could die. Literally? Of course, I’m not going to die. It’s an expression. Yet, I have described how hungry I was. Jesus says that we should put a millstone around our necks if we cause people to stumble. That stone is massively heavy. It’s pointing out how bad it would be to cause children to stumble. Should we cut off out hands and feet if they sin? Should we gouge our eyes if we’ve seen sinful things? Jesus is saying it’s better not to sin than needing to cut out the things we need like eyes and feet. It’s a deep description and should not be taken lightly or literal.
Secondly, I know a person who said they would try and make you a Christian two or three times but that’s it. After that, they would disown you. They used verses 15-20 to make their case. The problem is they missed the one sheep story before these verses. We are to talk about sin. yet, it should be more about being unified in our morals than casting people aside. We should be more concerned about the one who walked away than those who stayed.
Lastly, is it best to forgive once, seventy times, or seventy times seven? Believe it or not, there have been hundreds of books devoted to the right answer, yet it’s right here. Hear me wisely. Jesus is saying forgive until you forgive. That is a terribly hard pill to swallow. Forgiveness takes time. Those that go publicly on TV to forgive right after a murder have not forgiven. It takes time. That is why it’s seventy times seven or eternity. Forgive until you forgive.
Matthew 18:26 “So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’”
Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
What it means?
           This is the beginning of a series I would call “who is the greatest.” Jesus is going to tell us parables of what the kingdom is like. He is going to teach us about God’s character. We can miss this sometimes. I have taken time to remind you that we can’t just skim the parables, stories, and famous verses. There is a message within these verses that is not hidden. Take the time to write down character traits of all the characters. What is Jesus saying in his teaching? Do you see repeats from other chapters?
Above in part 4 I placed two verses at the end. I do it a lot. Matthew is repeating themes. In reality, it’s Jesus ministry on display. What is Jesus repeating in three years of ministry. Be nice. Be kind. Be compassionate. How about be humble. There are plenty more. Treat this book as a warning but also a guide. This is Christianity on display. The good and bad.
               What it means is that to be Christian is hard work. The disciples blew it for three years and beyond. In Galatians 2 Paul finds Peter playing politics and church. Paul rebukes him. I find this interesting. We all can get carried away with pride, power, status, importance, and position. I have seen a discussion at church about parking. Really? The pastors, ministry leaders, and servers had to be told not to park closest to the doors. That’s what’s wrong with Christian leadership today. We are not training children to walk like Jesus. Matthew 18 is tough. Remember, if children get it then we can too. It’s about the character and message of God that’s truly important.
Matthew 18:29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.”
Romans 13:8 “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”
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Daily Devotionals 09-20-2023
Verses of the Day: Proverbs 18:10/2 Corinthians 4:5/Hebrews 10:24–25/1 Corinthians 15:55/Joel 2:23/Psalms 16:11/John 15:4-5/Matthew 10:38/Ephesians 2:10/Judges 7:20/Ecclesiastes 11:6/1 John 1:9/Matthew 22:37/Matthew 22:36/Acts 2:42/1 Peter 4:11/Romans 15:5/1 Corinthians 12:13/1 John 1:3/1 Corinthians 1:9/2 Corinthians 10:17/Psalms 23:1/ Chapters of the Day: 1599 Geneva Bible Deuteronomy 25 –…
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keeganbooks · 2 years
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KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
January 30, 2022: Dear Friends: Today we will continue our series on learning about God. Some of the followers of this blog might know more about God than, perhaps, the writer or others. However, the purpose of discussing God in this blog, who he is, how he thinks and how he wants us to think and act, is to give the biblical information that will help in strengthening love and faith in God. 
Helping in learning and knowing the Bible is the purpose of this blog, for the Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s readers. The more the Bible is read and studied, the more knowledge about God is learned. The more one learns about God, the nearer and closer one becomes to God.The follower’s perspective and confidence will progress as one grows into a relationship with him.
Maybe the follower has learned about God through attending church or other worship services, or through family teachings. Maybe a friend related information about God. Or listening to or viewing a worship service may have stimulated an inward desire to learn about God. King David described this feeling of desire for God in Psalm, chapter 42, verses 1-2a when he wrote, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God......”  
The goal for anyone who is knowledgeable about God and in God’s thinking and God’s ways, is to develop a strong, continuing relationship with God. Being consistent in daily actions such as praying and meditating on and with God through Bible reading and study, or through other platforms, helps one to grow in a commitment to God. 
What does being committed to God mean? Think about the word “Commitment”  Webster defines commitment as “a pledge, a promise, or to bind with.”  To add to this is the concept of being consistent in our love of God and our faith and trust in him. Commitment is a day-to-day process that nourishes our inner-most being through constant, or almost constant ,focusing and thinking about God. As learning about God progresses and our love and faith in God grows, one begins to comprehend how God desires us to think and act. As a result, we are influenced by our knowledge of God that enters into our thinking and decision making. Recognizing our thinking of God as we function throughout our days, enhances the joy we receive from knowing that we are following God’s ways. These joyous thoughts reinforce our longing for God and thus helps build a progressive, stronger commitment to God.   
Bible verses will be listed below to search and read that either directly or indirectly relate to commitment and consistency. The books the verses are in will not be listed in chronological order in order to give experience in searching for Bible verses. All Bible verses are from the New Revised Standard (NRS) Version of the Bible.  Go to the website above left to review past blogs in this series, beginning with the January 3rd blog.
         MAY YOU BLESSED THIS WEEK IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY!
Bible verses: Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; Job, chapter 22, verses 21-28; John, chapter 15, verses 1-17; 1st John, chapter 4, verse 13-15; Jeremiah, chapter 33, verse 3; Mark, chapter 1, verse 35; Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22-28; Matthew, chapter 21, verses 21-22; Psalm, chapter 148, verses 1-14; Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 15; Psalm, chapter 100, verses 1-5; Hosea, chapter 14, verse 9; Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5-8; Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8-10, and Psalm, chapter 149, verses 1-5.
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Tuesday, September 25th
1 Peter chapter 5
Verse 7 “while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you”
The cross reference scripture is Psalms 55:22 there it tells us that Jehovah will sustain us and never let us totter. How reassuring it is that we know that Jehovah loves us that much. He will make sure we succeed and he will guide us. That is reassuring to me. I know I always feel better when I pour my ❤️out to him!
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•●🍯THE HONEYCOMB🍯●•
✝oday's honey🌱
November 10, 2021
*Seasons and Times*
🌱📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈🌳
Ecclesiastes is our favorite book when we see this topic especially the third chapter.
_"There's a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)._
Many of us do not actually understand this verse though we often hear it.
Why am I saying this?
We tend to blame God when we claim our prayers are not being answered forgetting that He works in times and seasons.
His Word said _those who delight in the Lord are like a tree planted by the riverside which yields its fruit in SEASONS (Psalm 1:2-3)._ We're like the trees personified.
Fruits like mango, blackberry and the likes come seasonally. How many of us actually question the mango tree when it's not producing mangoes or get bored when blackberry is out of season?
Even with fruits like oranges which seem to be in constant supply do not just appear when they are done on a tree. It takes time. Pollination has to occur then flowering before the fruit is formed yet none of us questions it.
So why then do we question God when it seems as if our prayers are not being answered?
_Next time before you question God, just remember that He's working in seasons and times._
Further studies: Ecclesiastics 3:11; Genesis 8:22; Isaiah 55:10,11; Daniel 2:21; Galatians 6:7-10.
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