Romans 9

Salvation is not something that we can earn; it is a gift from God, to those who believe in Jesus Christ. No one is saved simply through his heritage but we are saved by God's heart. He searches the heart and knows the man. God chooses whom He wills and knows from inception who will accept the truth of salvation and who will not.

9 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."

10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger." 13 As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?" 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As He says also in Hosea:

"I will call them My people, who were not My people,

And her beloved, who was not beloved."

26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,

'You are not My people,'

There they shall be called sons of the living God."

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

"Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,

The remnant will be saved.

28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,

Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth."

29 And as Isaiah said before:

"Unless the Lord of Sabbath had left us a seed,

We would have become like Sodom,

And we would have been made like Gomorrah."

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness
of faith; 31
but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Paul established that: (1) God has a purpose for believers, (2) nothing can prevent that purpose from being fulfilled, and (3) no one can separate God's people from His love. Paul lists some of the great privileges of Israel. For example, they were called Israelites. Israel was the name given to their ancestor Jacob as an expression of God's favor. Their supreme privilege was that the Messiah came through them. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. The word of God in this context is a reference to God's promises to Israel. Paul is declaring that God's purposes and promises have not failed. Not all the physical descendants of Jacob (Israel) inherited the promises of God. Abraham is another illustration of Paul's point that physical descent is no guarantee of a place in God's family. Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac; but Isaac inherited the promises, not Ishmael. Just being a physical descendant of Abraham does not mean inheriting God's promise to Abraham and his offspring. The children of Isaac are still another illustration of Paul's point. God's promise to Isaac was never intended to be fulfilled through Esau. God chose Jacob over Esau before they were born. Neither had done any good or evil at the time the choice was made. It was not based in any way on their works. It was solely based on Him who calls. God did not elect Jacob because of anything Jacob did; his election was based on grace. What Paul is saying is that Esau was not the object of God's electing purpose. Paul's response to the question posed in is not to justify God's actions or choices but to state the unequivocal sovereignty of God in doing as He wills. The basis of God's sovereign choice is not a person's conduct, but God's compassion. God is free to show mercy to whom He chooses.
If we are doomed, it is because of our rejection of God; if we are redeemed, it is because of the grace of God. The question is not: Why are some saved and some condemned? Everyone deserves condemnation. It is only by God's grace that anyone is saved. God calls both Jews and Gentiles. Since Israel had the law and pursued righteousness, why have they not attained it? Was it because they were not elected? The answer is that they did not obtain righteousness because they did not believe. They tried obtaining righteousness by the works of the law. Being committed to a righteousness by works, they stumbled over the righteousness of faith offered in Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titus 3

What does the Lord require of us? He requires us to treat all people fairly, to be compassionate and show it by our works and deeds to those in need, and to always remember that faith alone pleases God and it is a gift so that no one can boast. Micah 6:8

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Paul had already instructed the Cretans regarding submission and obedience to the authorities in their communities. Titus was to remind them of their duty to be good citizens, a virtue which the Cretans notoriously lacked. Disobedience permeated the Cretans' lifestyle, both in the church and in government. Titus must advise them to get along with civil authorities and to live peacefully with their neighbors. This type of life would reflect positively on the Christian faith and thus glorify God. Paul provides another motive for good works by explaining the rationale for the Christian life. The believers were supposed to treat others the way God in His grace had treated them when they were involved in the ungodly activities noted. Since Paul has been exhorting Titus to emphasize good works in his ministry with the Cretans, he wants to make it clear that such works have no value in saving a person. Rather, it is solely on the basis of God's mercy that we are delivered from the penalty of our sin. The continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works. God justifies believers so that they might become coheirs with Jesus Christ in His coming reign. Paul was admonishing Titus to avoid anything that would promote wickedness among the believers. God saved us through one process with two aspects: the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Paul gives the Cretans a practical way they can start demonstrating their faith in good works: they can begin meeting the needs of other people. A recurring theme throughout the NT is that believers should live up to their holy calling. They should continue being sanctified. Justification is solely a gift from God, but we will be rewarded according to what we do on this earth. What a tragedy it will be for some to stand ashamed at Christ's return. How much better it will be to abound in good works which the Holy Spirit empowered us to do.

 

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 12

I am convinced that He who called us to salvation is able to keep us until He brings us home. God loves us just the way we are but too much to leave us the way we are! Joy in our salvation in Christ Jesus gives us the strength to endure and those who endure to the end will be saved. His truth alone remains forever.

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives."

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue
peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: We need to consistently focus on Christ instead of our own circumstances. Christ has done everything necessary for us to endure in our faith. He is our example and model, for He focused on the joy that was set before Him. His attention was not on the agonies of the Cross, but on the crown; not on the suffering, but the reward. Believers should compare their sufferings to the torture Christ endured on their behalf. Sons are naturally disciplined out of love by their fathers. They should accept and learn from this discipline. In the same way, God disciplines us because He wants to make us better. Believers should not only endure God's discipline, they should readily be in subjection to their heavenly Father. Although fathers discipline for awhile as they see fit, God disciplines us with our good welfare in mind. With every trial, God is fashioning us into a holy people, set apart for His good purposes. The peaceable fruit of righteousness suggests that the result of God's chastening is peace and righteousness. Christian believers have come to a heavenly Jerusalem on Mt. Zion through Jesus' blood. The author makes the contrast between the two covenants vivid, and then once again exhorts his readers not to reject Christ's offer of salvation. The blood of Abel cried out for revenge; the blood of Christ speaks of redemption. If the Israelites were judged for not believing in God's promises, we too will be judged for disbelief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Jamey

Luke 13

Thank you God, that in your infinite mercy and grace we can repent of our sins and be forgiven. Do we understand the greatness of the sacrifice that took away the sin of the world and offers freedom from sin to those who believe in Him? The ongoing process of sanctification produces the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit produced should permeate the lives of those who call upon His holy name. Love, peace mercy, goodness, gentleness, joy should be used by us for the good of God's kingdom and to save others from the ravages that sin makes on a life. We may miss the miracles in our life that come with faith in His power if we let the law govern the depth of our belief. The way to salvation is in Jesus Christ and in Him alone can men be saved. He is the vine and we are the branches, without Him we can do nothing!

Luke 13

13 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 3And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."

15 The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

 

20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?"

And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' 26 then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' 27 But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, "Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You."

32 And He said to them, "Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "

The NKJV Study Bible says this: The details of the incident referred to here, in which Jewish blood was shed at or near the temple during a time of sacrifices, are not known. Pilate was known for his insensitivity to the Jewish people early in his rule. The event probably occurred during the Feast of the Passover or Tabernacles, when Galileans most likely would have been at the temple. The idea that judgment and death are the results of sin led to the belief that tragic death was the result of extreme sin. While such a view was common in Judaism, it was not always a correct conclusion. The event referred to here was a natural tragedy as opposed to the violent human act. The manner in which a person dies is not a measure of righteousness; what is important is not to die outside of God's grace and care. The way to avoid such a fate is to repent, to come to God through the care of the physician Jesus. A fig tree was often given some time to bear good fruit since its root structure was complex and took time to develop. If the tree, symbolizing Israel, would yield some fruit it could escape judgment; a failure to be fruitful would result in judgment. When the ruler of the synagogue became indignant regarding Jesus' healing on the Sabbath, Jesus pointed out that basic compassion was shown to animals on the Sabbath, so how much more compassion should be shown to a suffering woman. Jesus pointed out that there was no better day on which to overcome Satan than the Sabbath. Jesus compared the growth of God's kingdom to a little seed that becomes a big tree where ,many birds can find shelter. A tree of the mustard family would grow to about 12 feet. The image of birds nesting in the trees is found frequently in the OT. The kingdom will start small, but will grow and eventually fill the earth. The emphasis is not so much on a process of growth as in the difference between the kingdom's beginning and its end. Those who seek to enter but are unable are those who seek entrance on their own terms. Many will miss the blessings of God because they think they can achieve salvation on their own merit or on the basis of their own piety, rather than because they came to know God through Jesus. Once a person's life has ended, the door of opportunity to respond to Jesus is closed and access into God's presence cannot be gained. The appeal here is by people who experienced Jesus' presence. The passage primarily involves those Jews who witnessed Jesus' ministry. They were trying to gain entry into God's presence based simply on the fact that they had observed Jesus. Jesus refused them, pointing out that it was not enough for them to have been close to Him. In order to have a relationship with God, one must embrace Jesus and come to know Him. Failure to seek salvation in Jesus means that sin remains in a person's life. There will be many surprises in God's kingdom. Those who are despised on earth—some Gentiles, for example—will be greatly honored in the kingdom. Conversely, those who are considered influential and powerful on earth—the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' day, for example—will be excluded from the kingdom. As a prophet, Jesus spoke for God in the first person. He compared God's desire to gather the nation to a hen sheltering and protecting her young. Sadly, the nation was not willing to be gathered. God would abandon the nation until they responded to the Messiah. The people of Israel would not see the Messiah again until they were ready to receive Him and recognize that He was sent from God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Jeremiah 43

It is not always easy to be certain that you are in God's will and doing what He would have you do with your life, only He knows. He uses whomever He wants to accomplish what He needs to be done and it is not ours to completely understand. The Creator of this universe uses people to save people. What a tragedy if we misjudge His will for us and them.

Jeremiah Taken to Egypt

43 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the words of the Lord their God, for which the Lord their God had sent him to them, all these words, 2 that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, "You speak falsely! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.' 3 But Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death or carry us away captive to Babylon." 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces, and all the people would not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah. 5 But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to dwell in the land of Judah, from all nations where they had been driven— 6 men, women, children, the king's daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. 7 So they went to the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they went as far as Tahpanhes.

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9 "Take large stones in your hand, and hide them in the sight of the men of Judah, in the clay in the brick courtyard which is at the entrance to Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes; 10 and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will set his throne above these stones that I have hidden. And he will spread his royal pavilion over them. 11 When he comes, he shall strike the land of Egypt and deliver to death those appointed for death, and to captivity those appointed for captivity, and to the sword those appointed for the sword. 12 I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them and carry them away captive. And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment, and he shall go out from there in peace. 13 He shall also break the sacred pillars of Beth Shemesh that are in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians he shall burn with fire." ' "

The NKJV Study Bible says this: The people had already intended to go to Egypt to escape the perceived danger of Babylon. Johanan led the migration to Egypt, against the direction of the Lord through Jeremiah. The caravan journeyed as far as Tahpanhes, a city on the eastern edge of the Nile Delta. This judgment oracle echoes earlier pronouncements against Judah, with Nebuchadnezzar identified as the servant of God. The stones symbolized the strong foundation of Nebuchadnezzar's empire, the point from which he would spread his royal pavilion (tent, or canopy). Severe judgment is pronounced on Egypt, including judgment on the disobedient people of Judah.

When Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah was taken in chains to Ramah and then released. He went on to Mizpah to support the people left in the land. When the governor was killed, Jeremiah prophesied that people should not leave the land, but he was taken against his will to Tahpanhes in Egypt. His further prophecies to Jews living in Migdol, Noph, and Tahpanhes may have contributed to establishing Jewish settlements in other parts of Egypt, as far as Elephantine.

 

Words of Life Sunday post

Dr. Mark Rutland is the new president of Oral Roberts University and the author of Nevertheless: The Most Powerful Word You Can Use to Defeat the Enemy .
John Wesley said, “I know of no holiness save social holiness.” He meant that we do not live out our piety in relationship with God alone but in community with others. The downside of community is that no one can test your sanctification like your brother-in-law, the antichrist. The upside is that just when you are ready to collapse under the unbearable weight of grief and suffering, Titus shows up with love letters from Corinth.
Some believers tend to so over-spiritualize their faith that the relational aspect gets lost in the glow. Jesus painfully peeled away the soft spiritual goo to reveal the hard core realities of relational holiness as no other teacher ever has. Probably, that was a large part of what got Him killed.
The golden thematic thread that runs through the entire tapestry of the Sermon on the Mount is relational holiness. In that great teaching, theology (spiritual theory) was not Jesus’ point. It was human application (spiritual practices). He was teaching, not about what we ought to believe, but about how we should act, love, live, and forgive. You want to get folks angry enough to kill you, just leave the theoretical realm and deal with horizontal, relational reality. Preach on love and win medals. Talk to a man about how he treats his mother-in-law and wind up nailed to the wall.
Jesus taught that everything, even, or perhaps especially, offerings to God, must be seen in the light of human relationships. “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matt. 5:23-24)
The Bible never envisioned our being reconciled to God apart from our being reconciled to each other. No amount of spiritual language can change that. Nevertheless beautifully bridges the gap between the spiritual and the pragmatic.

Ezekiel 30

The ways of the world are not the ways of God. It is amazing that if you talk of God's great agape love for His creation, everyone applauds, speak of loving democrats and republicans, speak of the evil of gossip, speak of providing help for all people through taxes or health care, speak of respecting those that He places in power, speak of doing what He says and not just hearing what He says and prepare to be rejected and scorned. We all fall short but shouldn't we who call upon His name at least try to be ambassadors of His love, mercy and grace in Christ Jesus? In the end it will not matter, there is no way but His way, and His truth will reign forever.

30 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord God:

"Wail, 'Woe to the day!'

3 For the day is near,

Even the day of the Lord is near;

It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.

4 The sword shall come upon Egypt,

And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia,

When the slain fall in Egypt,

And they take away her wealth,

And her foundations are broken down.

5 "Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword."

6 'Thus says the Lord:

"Those who uphold Egypt shall fall,

And the pride of her power shall come down.

From Migdol to Syene

Those within her shall fall by the sword,"

Says the Lord God.

7 "They shall be desolate in the midst of the desolate countries,

And her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are laid waste.

8 Then they will know that I am the Lord,

When I have set a fire in Egypt

And all her helpers are destroyed.

9 On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships

To make the careless Ethiopians afraid,

And great anguish shall come upon them,

As on the day of Egypt;

For indeed it is coming!"

10 'Thus says the Lord God:

"I will also make a multitude of Egypt to cease

By the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

11 He and his people with him, the most terrible of the nations,

Shall be brought to destroy the land;

They shall draw their swords against Egypt,

And fill the land with the slain.

12 I will make the rivers dry,

And sell the land into the hand of the wicked;

I will make the land waste, and all that is in it,

By the hand of aliens.

I, the Lord, have spoken."

13 'Thus says the Lord God:

"I will also destroy the idols,

And cause the images to cease from Noph;

There shall no longer be princes from the land of Egypt;

I will put fear in the land of Egypt.

14 I will make Pathros desolate,

Set fire to Zoan,

And execute judgments in 7No.

15 I will pour My fury on Sin, the strength of Egypt;

I will cut off the multitude of No,

16 And set a fire in Egypt;

Sin shall have great pain,

No shall be split open,

And Noph shall be in distress daily.

17 The young men of Aven and Pi Beseth shall fall by the sword,

And these cities shall go into captivity.

18 At Tehaphnehes the day shall also be darkened,

When I break the yokes of Egypt there.

And her arrogant strength shall cease in her;

As for her, a cloud shall cover her,

And her daughters shall go into captivity.

19 Thus I will vexecute judgments on Egypt,

Then they shall know that I am the Lord." ' "

Proclamation Against Pharaoh

20 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 21 "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and see, it has not been bandaged for healing, nor a splint put on to bind it, to make it strong enough to hold a sword. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Surely I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, both the strong one and the one that was broken; and I will make the sword fall out of his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them throughout the countries. 24 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put My sword in his hand; but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he will groan before him with the groanings of a mortally wounded man. 25 Thus I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; they shall know that I am the Lord, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.' "

1 Peter 2

I lay in bed this morning pondering how the world had become filled with bad manners and evil words. How did we sink to such low places and still call ourselves Christians. How can we who have been forgiven so much forgive so little? We have become no different than the dog eat dog mentality that has taken over society. God help us all to rethink our parameters and rid our churches, homes and us of dishonor, lies, malice and contempt for anyone other than our own little group. This is where the Lord led me….What would Jesus have us do? 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

2 Therefore,  laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

"Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

"The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone,"

8 and

"A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense."

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake,
whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 "Who committed no sin,

Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and 8Overseer of your souls.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Jesus is greater than the traditions received from the fathers, He is greater than the temple in Jerusalem, and He is greater than the traditions of the Gentiles with their lifeless stone idols. The new building of God, of which Jesus is the Cornerstone, is living: it is the assembly of all believers, the church. Christians are part of God's great spiritual building project. "The word of the Lord" is the gospel message about the Lord Jesus Christ. This word can regenerate men and women. Those who trust in Jesus will never be embarrassed by making Him the focus of their lives. It is a "holy nation" and "special people" who are able to "proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light". It is our "honorable" conduct and "good works" that cause evildoers to glorify God. Peter forcefully commands Christians to submit voluntarily to governing authorities. He does not make submission a matter of personal conviction or choice. He decrees that it is an obligation for all Christians. The authority backing Peter's command for civil obedience is the God of the universe, the Sovereign Ruler over all citizens and governments and over all Christians and non-Christians. Our actions should make our accusers speechless, like a muzzle placed over their mouths. We should submit all our actions to God, for He is our Master. Our reverence for God should be the basis of our relationships with others. All people are created in His image, and He is the One who has placed some people in authority over us. Therefore we should treat everyone with love and respect. Christians are to serve even the worst of bosses with respect. Those who suffer faithfully but unjustly as a result of their service to God please Him. Such suffering has a great reward. Believers are not merely to survive the difficulties that come their way, rather they are to bear patiently their heavy loads. Grief here is not the result of loss but of being afflicted. There is no advantage to believers for successfully enduring a deserved punishment for wrongdoing, yet there is great value when we honor God with our actions when we are unfairly condemned by others. Endurance and perseverance in the face of suffering please God. Observing how Christ handled unjust punishment gives us insight as to how we also may endure such trials. Christ was perfect in everything He did, even when He was wrongly condemned to death by the world. In His thoughts and attitudes, Jesus was perfect. It is our sins that Jesus bore on the Cross. Thus our spiritual healing comes neither from Jesus' day-to-day sufferings nor from His sufferings that led to the Cross, but from the one ultimate wound—His death. . No one else is qualified to be the one Shepherd and Overseer of our souls—only Christ is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Timothy 4

The only thing that pleases God is faith in the birth, death and resurrection of His Son and faithfulness to share with others the truth that only in Jesus can we be saved. Faith is a gift from God so that no man could boast. In this life you will experience betrayal and rejection BUT the Lord will always stand by you until He brings you safely home. Spread the Good News of God's mercy and grace through Christ Jesus!

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Paul underscores the importance of his command to Timothy by calling on God and Jesus to be witnesses to it. He reminds Timothy that Jesus will return in judgment. Paul's charge to Timothy is to preach the word. The foundation of any ministry is God's Word. Preaching God's truth is a sacred and demanding task, requiring perseverance and courage. Be ready means to take a stand. Timothy was to be alert at all times to his responsibilities, even when it was inconvenient. This type of ministry is not for a novice. Patience and instruction are two necessary components of an effective ministry. True spiritual growth occurs over a period of time, through consistent teaching and application of God's Word. Timothy needs to be alert and ready to preach God's Word. Sound teaching is essential for spiritual maturity, but will not always be tolerated. There will come a time when people will seek out teachers to tell them what they want to hear and what makes them feel good. People turn their ears to avoid truth. As Paul faced execution, he was evidently concerned that his son in the faith would be tempted to depart from truth, lured by deceptive false teachers. An evangelist equips and encourages believers to share the Good News. Although it is difficult to fully recreate the thought of this Greek expression in English, we are fairly sure that Paul meant to say that all Scripture was breathed out from God. This is the primary meaning. But the expression could also mean that the Word was "inbreathed," or inspired, by God. The first definition affirms the Bible's divine origin; the second speaks of God's spiritual presence in the Word. Thus God not only inspired the authors who wrote the words of the Bible, but He also inspires those who read it with a heart of faith. Paul is aware that the time of his death is near. Paul was confident that no one could touch him until the Heavenly Father ushered him into his eternal home with a victory celebration. Paul had been vigilant in his service to God. Note that Paul did not make these comments until the end of his race, until he was about to die. He did not presume or rely on His past service. Instead he persevered, struggled, and served God until the end. Paul understood the eternal potential of a lifetime of faithful service to Christ. Jesus would return with rewards for those who stick it out over the long haul. The crown of righteousness is a special reward given to those who serve God faithfully on this earth. There will be as many crowns as there are runners who finish the race well. All who have loved His appearing are those believers in Christ who have lived faithfully in the hope of His return. The value of a trusted friend in the midst of hard times cannot be overstated. Paul's reference to Mark as useful is a note of tender restoration. Mark's desertion of Paul in Pamphylia on his first missionary journey had led to the separation of Paul and Barnabas at the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. Now at the end of his life, Paul expresses his appreciation of Mark's service. 15 Timothy is warned about Alexander. This is possibly the person named in 1 Tim. 1:20 or Acts 19:33, who caused harm to Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Jesus warned the apostles that they could expect opposition. Paul echoes the forgiving attitude of Christ. Although many had abandoned him, he asked God not to hold them accountable for their actions. 17 In spite of the failure of his friends, Paul was supported by the Lord, who always strengthens and empowers. Often people will fail us in troublesome times. The Lord, however, never fails His children, no matter how difficult the circumstances are God had consistently empowered Paul during his life so that he could continue to preach the truth to the Gentiles. Lion is probably a reference to execution by lions. It is also possible that Paul is using the word as a metaphor for the spiritual conflict from which he was delivered. The final note of this book and of Paul's ministry is grace, a fitting conclusion for this man of God and his faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 4

4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

21 Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ezekiel 32

The Lord tears down but He also builds up. He gets rid of anything that is destructive and replaces it with that which is His. He sometimes uses the most drastic of measures to bring about His will and intentions for the world, for a nation, for a city or for a life. Like a good Father He corrects those He loves. We are given the choice but we must choose, the worlds way or His way, decide wisely.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Even though the Egyptians arrogantly thought that they, unlike Judah, would not fall to Babylon's forces, they would eventually experience the same fate as the citizens of Jerusalem. The words lion and monster depict Egypt as proud and powerful. These poetic lines picture Egypt and its ruler, Hophra, as a crocodile who is going to experience the judgment ordained by God. Egypt will be caught, killed, and consigned to darkness—a recognizable element of the day of the Lord. Such a scene of judgment will produce mourning and great grief; but God is to be seen as just and doing what was necessary to stop the people's arrogance. Assyria was the master of the ancient Middle Eastern world until the rise of the neo-Babylonians around 612 b.c., early in Jeremiah's career and about 20 years before Ezekiel's first vision. Elam was east and southeast of Assyria, in what is now Iran. The people of Elam were descended from one of the sons of Shem. Meshech and Tubal were peoples located in ancient Anatolia or Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. These names are mentioned as sons of Japheth. The princes of the north are lands north of Israel such as Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia. The Sidonians were from Sidon, a seaport on the coast about 30 miles north of Tyre. The point is that Egypt and Pharaoh will die like the other nations at the hand of the living God, who judges every nation with justice.

Ezekiel 32

32 And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him:

'You are like a young lion among the nations,

And you are like a monster in the seas,

Bursting forth in your rivers,

Troubling the waters with your feet,

And fouling their rivers.'

3 "Thus says the Lord God:

'I will therefore spread My net over you with a company of many people,

And they will draw you up in My net.

4 Then I will leave you on the land;

I will cast you out on the open fields,

And cause to settle on you all the birds of the heavens.

And with you I will fill the beasts of the whole earth.

5 I will lay your flesh on the mountains,

And fill the valleys with your carcass.

6 'I will also water the land with the flow of your blood,

Even to the mountains;

And the riverbeds will be full of you.

7 When I put out your light,

I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark;

I will cover the sun with a cloud,

And the moon shall not give her light.

8 All the bright lights of the heavens I will make dark over you,

And bring darkness upon your land,'

Says the Lord God.

9 'I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known. 10 Yes, I will make many peoples astonished at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid of you when I brandish My sword before them; and they shall tremble every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall.'

11 "For thus says the Lord God: 'The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. 12 By the swords of the mighty warriors, all of them the most terrible of the nations, I will cause your multitude to fall.

'They shall plunder the pomp of Egypt,

And all its multitude shall be destroyed.

13 Also I will destroy all its animals

From beside its great waters;

The foot of man shall muddy them no more,

Nor shall the hooves of animals muddy them.

14 Then I will make their waters clear,

And make their rivers run like oil,'

Says the Lord God.

15 'When I make the land of Egypt desolate,

And the country is destitute of all that once filled it,

When I strike all who dwell in it,

Then they shall know that I am the Lord.

16 'This is the lamentation

With which they shall lament her;

The daughters of the nations shall lament her;

They shall lament for her, for Egypt,

And for all her multitude,'

Says the Lord God."

17 It came to pass also in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

18 "Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt,

And cast them down to the depths of the earth,

Her and the daughters of the famous nations,

With those who go down to the Pit:

19 'Whom do you surpass in beauty?

Go down, be placed with the uncircumcised.'

20 "They shall fall in the midst of those slain by the sword;

She is delivered to the sword,

Drawing her and all her multitudes.

21 The strong among the mighty

Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell

With those who help him:

'They have gone down,

They lie with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.'

22 "Assyria is there, and all her company,

With their graves all around her,

All of them slain, fallen by the sword.

23 Her graves are set in the recesses of the Pit,

And her company is all around her grave,

All of them slain, fallen by the sword,

Who caused terror in the land of the living.

24 "There is Elam and all her multitude,

All around her grave,

All of them slain, fallen by the sword,

Who have gone down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth,

Who caused their terror in the land of the living;

Now they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit.

25 They have set her bed in the midst of the slain,

With all her multitude,

With her graves all around it,

All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword;

Though their terror was caused

In the land of the living,

Yet they bear their shame

With those who go down to the Pit;

It was put in the midst of the slain.

26 "There are Meshech and Tubal and all their multitudes,

With all their graves around it,

All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword,

Though they caused their terror in the land of the living.

27 They do not lie with the mighty

Who are fallen of the uncircumcised,

Who have gone down to hell with their weapons of war;

They have laid their swords under their heads,

But their iniquities will be on their bones,

Because of the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

28 Yes, you shall be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised,

And lie with those slain by the sword.

29 "There is Edom,

Her kings and all her princes,

Who despite their might

Are laid beside those slain by the sword;

They shall lie with the uncircumcised,

And with those who go down to the Pit.

30 There are the princes of the north,

All of them, and all the Sidonians,

Who have gone down with the slain

In shame at the terror which they caused by their might;

They lie uncircumcised with those slain by the sword,

And bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit.

31 "Pharaoh will see them

And be comforted over all his multitude,

Pharaoh and all his army,

Slain by the sword,"

Says the Lord God.

32 "For I have caused My terror in the land of the living;

And he shall be placed in the midst of the uncircumcised

With those slain by the sword,

Pharaoh and all his multitude,"

Says the Lord God.

Luke 24

Paul said that to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord. What a glorious day that will be! After His death and resurrection Christ was revealed to His followers in the celebration of the Eucharist. One day we will see Jesus, in the flesh, just as He left us, He will return. We will eat with Him at the Wedding Feast when His Body, His Church, His Bride is united with Him. Until that time the Holy Spirit will take the knowledge of truth and reveal it to those who seek Him and to know His ways. Jesus is the truth, the light and the only way to the Father. Baptized in the Holy Spirit with power … Go out and shout the Good News to the world.

24 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "

8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"

18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?"

19 And He said to them, "What things?"

So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."

25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He 8indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.

30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.

49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Angels announced that Jesus was alive. Anointing Him would not be necessary. The women were reminded that Jesus had predicted His resurrection as far back as Galilee. Mary, the last one at the Cross and the first one at the tomb, was given the privilege of relaying the first resurrection message. Skepticism reigned among the disciples. It is clear that they did not expect a resurrection. The disciples thought the women's story was nonsense. Having already experienced a fulfilled prediction of the Lord, Peter hurried to the tomb to check out the women's story. It is hard to say whether Peter believed in the Resurrection when he left the tomb. These disciples on the road to Emmaus regarded Jesus as the Revealer of God's way and the Doer of His work. The disciples had hoped that God would once again save Israel through Jesus. The women reported that there was no body found in Jesus' tomb, and that angels had announced to them that Jesus lives. The fact that the men were still sad indicates that they did not believe the report. As far as the disciples were concerned, there was still no decisive proof of Jesus' resurrection. They wanted to see the resurrected Jesus. Thomas was not alone in his doubts. The prophets taught the suffering of the Christ and His entrance into glory. Note how Jesus used the title of Christ (Messiah) to refer to Himself, while the disciples called Him merely a prophet. Going from the books of Moses to the Prophets, Jesus provided an overview of God's plan in the Scriptures. This plan is present throughout the entire OT. Before the two travelers could report their experience, the other disciples reported that Simon had seen Jesus as well. The disciples had a difficult time adjusting to the fact that the raised Jesus was in their midst. They believed they were seeing a heavenly apparition. Jesus' appearances were designed to reassure the disciples about the reality of His vindication. Jesus pointed out that a raised body is not a disembodied spirit. The presence of flesh and bones indicates that Jesus had been raised bodily, and that He was not a hallucination. He was raised in the same physical body in which He had been put to death. The difference was that His resurrected body is not corruptible and not subject to death. The physical nature of Jesus' resurrected body was confirmed by the fact that he ate something. The plan of God as outlined in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms was being fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus had been considered a pretender and a blasphemer. After His resurrection, people had to change their minds and serve Him for who He really is, the Son of God. This is the message Peter would preach at Pentecost, a message that would result in thousands of people declaring Jesus as their Lord. Jesus summarized the mission of the disciples as preaching repentance, calling people to turn from their own selfish ways to Christ, the One who had died for them. The content of the disciples' preaching would center on God's gracious offer of forgiveness to all who would believe. Forgiveness and blessing come only through the work of the risen Jesus. The message of Jesus' salvation can go to all nations, to Jews and Gentiles alike. The offer is made to anyone who will receive it. The disciples' mission would begin in Jerusalem where Jesus died; from there, it would spread out into the entire world. Jesus pointed out that the disciples were called to testify to His work. The baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was promised in Joel. Peter called this coming of the Spirit "the beginning" because the real fulfillment of God's promise of salvation would start in those people united by the Spirit to establish the church. The disciples were to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit empowered them on the day of Pentecost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lamentations 4:8-22

Without the fruit of the Holy Spirit, (love, peace, mercy, goodness) people turn bitter and lose all joy in life becoming vulnerable to attack. Those who are slain by the Spirit and abide in Him dwell in a protected spiritual place. When Christians fight Christians they devour each other and the only winner is Satan. God desires mercy but He requires justice and in Christ Jesus He gave the only sacrifice capable of justifying the sin of man and giving mercy and grace to all who accept Him. Without Jesus there is no covering for sin. Without joy in the Lord and the salvation He gives we have no strength.

Now their appearance is blacker than soot;

They go unrecognized in the streets;

Their skin clings to their bones,

It has become as dry as wood.

9 Those slain by the sword are better off

Than those who die of hunger;

For these pine away,

Stricken for lack of the fruits of the field.

10 The hands of the compassionate women

Have cooked their own children;

They became food for them

In the destruction of the daughter of my people.

11 The Lord has fulfilled His fury,

He has poured out His fierce anger.

He kindled a fire in Zion,

And it has devoured its foundations.

12 The kings of the earth,

And all inhabitants of the world,

Would not have believed

That the adversary and the enemy

Could enter the gates of Jerusalem—

13 Because of the sins of her prophets

And the iniquities of her priests,

Who shed in her midst

The blood of the just.

14 They wandered blind in the streets;

They have defiled themselves with blood,

So that no one would touch their garments.

15 They cried out to them,

"Go away, unclean!

Go away, go away,

Do not touch us!"

When they fled and wandered,

Those among the nations said,

"They shall no longer dwell here."

16 The face of the Lord scattered them;

He no longer regards them.

The people do not respect the priests

Nor show favor to the elders.

17 Still our eyes failed us,

Watching vainly for our help;

In our watching we watched

For a nation that could not save us.

18 They tracked our steps

So that we could not walk in our streets.

Our end was near;

Our days were over,

For our end had come.

19 Our pursuers were swifter

Than the eagles of the heavens.

They pursued us on the mountains

And lay in wait for us in the wilderness.

20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord,

Was caught in their pits,

Of whom we said, "Under his shadow

We shall live among the nations."

21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,

You who dwell in the land of Uz!

The cup shall also pass over to you

And you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.

22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished,

O daughter of Zion;

He will no longer send you into captivity.

He will punish your iniquity,

O daughter of Edom;

He will uncover your sins!

The NKJV Study Bible says this: Nazirites were men and women who specifically committed themselves to God for periods of special devotion. The siege of Jerusalem was so terrible that no one was exempt, not even the truly godly people like the Nazirites. Dying early in the siege was perhaps better than living through all of its horrors. The women who were forced to eat their own children began as compassionate women. This unimaginable horror could only have occurred in the most inhumane conditions of human suffering. The very people who should have been agents of righteousness became agents of sin. The priests and prophets were separated from the face of the Lord because they had helped cause the people of Judah to stumble. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 b.c., the survivors in Judah turned to Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt to deliver them, thereby breaking covenant with Nebuchadnezzar and the specific word of God. The heir to the Davidic line was "the breath of life" to the nation. But King Zedekiah was captured while trying to escape, put in chains, blinded after watching his sons massacred, and marched off to Babylon to die. It is possible that the phrase daughter of Edom is a sarcastic, judgmental phrase. Edom may have thought so highly of herself that she believed she could assume the place of privilege her father Esau had lost, once Judah was destroyed.

 

 

 

 

 

Zechariah 11:4-17

We, those of us who call ourselves God's children, we are our brothers keeper! We are without excuse.

4 Thus says the Lord my God, "Feed the flock for slaughter, 5 whose owners slaughter them and feel no guilt; those who sell them say, 'Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich'; and their shepherds do not pity them. 6 For I will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land," says the Lord. "But indeed I will give everyone into his neighbor's hand and into the hand of his king. They shall attack the land, and I will not deliver them from their hand."

7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock. 8 I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then I said, "I will not feed you. Let what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other's flesh." 10 And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was broken on that day. Thus the poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. 12 Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

13 And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter. 14 Then I cut in two my other staff, Bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 And the Lord said to me, n"Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. 16 For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces.

17 "Woe to the worthless shepherd,

Who leaves the flock!

A sword shall be against his arm

And against his right eye;

His arm shall completely wither,

And his right eye shall be totally blinded."

The NKJV Study Bible says this: The shepherds will wail because the grazing lands will be ruined. The lions will roar because of the destruction of the pride of the Jordan, the jungle thicket that was their shelter. Zechariah was commanded to feed or pasture the flock of God's people Israel, knowing it was destined for slaughter. The petty tyrants and oppressors will fall victim to foreign kings who attack the land. It is appropriate that God's messenger Zechariah is given shepherd's staffs to guide the people, instead of clubs for fighting. The breaking of the staff Beauty symbolizes the end of God's protection of His people. God's unconditional promise to Abraham or to David would never be broken. Like Ezekiel's covenant of peace, the covenant here may refer to an agreement with the Gentile nation on Israel's behalf. Zechariah, taking the role of the messianic shepherd, requested his wages for service rendered. His wage was calculated as thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. This was the price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus. The rejection of the messianic shepherd, represented by Zechariah, meant that the national unity the Israelites hoped for would not be achieved at this time. The worthless shepherd will be judged. His arm, which should have been used to protect the sheep, will wither. His right eye, which should have watched over the sheep, will be blinded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lamentation 5:1-22

Out of God's will for our life we are left vulnerable and spiritually alone in a dying world. Without the light of the Holy Spirit we no longer clearly see the ways of the Lord and it becomes harder and harder to make decision based on His ways and not mans ways. Repent, return to the Lord, and open your eyes to His goodness and mercy in Christ Jesus!

A Prayer for Restoration

5 Remember, O Lord, what has come upon us;

Look, and behold our reproach!

2 Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens,

And our houses to foreigners.

3 We have become orphans and waifs,

Our mothers are like widows.

4 We pay for the water we drink,

And our wood comes at a price.

5 They pursue at our heels;

We labor and have no rest.

6 We have given our hand to the Egyptians

And the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

7 Our fathers sinned and are no more,

But we bear their iniquities.

8 Servants rule over us;

There is none to deliver us from their hand.

9 We get our bread at the risk of our lives,

Because of the sword in the wilderness.

10 Our skin is hot as an oven,

Because of the fever of famine.

11 They ravished the women in Zion,

The maidens in the cities of Judah.

12 Princes were hung up by their hands,

And elders were not respected.

13 Young men ground at the millstones;

Boys staggered under loads of wood.

14 The elders have ceased gathering at the gate,

And the young men from their music.

15 The joy of our heart has ceased;

Our dance has turned into mourning.

16 The crown has fallen from our head.

Woe to us, for we have sinned!

17 Because of this our heart is faint;

Because of these things our eyes grow dim;

18 Because of Mount Zion which is desolate,

With foxes walking about on it.

19 You, O Lord, remain forever;

Your throne from generation to generation.

20 Why do You forget us forever,

And forsake us for so long a time?

21 Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;

Renew our days as of old,

22 Unless You have utterly rejected us,

And are very angry with us!

The NKJV Study Bible says this: The Promised Land had been a gift from the Lord to Abraham. This inheritance was a kind of "down payment" on the future reign of God that would include the restoration of His people to that land. God demonstrated that He owned all nations and that Israel was to be His instrument for blessing all the nations on the earth. Yet in their present condition, the people of Israel seemed to be the most helpless of all peoples. The survivors of the Babylonian siege were reduced to servitude, caught between the Egyptians and the Assyrians. The small harvests that were obtained from the land after the destruction of Jerusalem were vulnerable to nomads from the desert who occasionally took the lives of the people of Judah as well. The suffering of Jerusalem left no one unscathed—women, princes, elders, and young men. This was a time to weep and mourn, not to laugh and dance. The normal zest for life was gone. Death would be better than a horrible existence during the siege of Jerusalem. In one of Jeremiah's earlier messages, he had exhorted the people to turn to God no less than seven times.