31 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 31 July 2010

Happy Saturday.
This has been a rough week, part of a rough month. Dear Wife has been sick - more so than usual even - which has not helped. Then, we let someone use our old van, the one with 203,000 miles on it, that I planned to drive to work Wednesday. Only he left the lights on, all day, so when I came out to leave, the battery was of course dead. D E D dead. Called Wife. She left work early, driving the "new" car, the one with "only" 194,000 miles on it. Only to be sideswiped by some joker on the interstate. Meaning we now had a non-starting car, a damaged car, a largely-uninjured but shook up wife, and very little money to deal with any of these situations. We carry the mandated liability insurance on our vehicles, but the economics of 'full coverage' on vehicles with 200,000 miles on them doesn't work out, and if we had more money we probably wouldn't be driving cars so 'mature'. So no options are good ones. The upshot of all of this is that we swallowed hard, prayed a good bit, and went down to the used car lot where Beloved Younger Daughter bought her car (that I co-signed for) last year, and signed on the dotted line, trading in the old van with the 203,000 miles on it. So long, old friend! Now we have 48 months of payments. And no good options. A high stress time.
The good news is that I actually have a day off. This wasn't exactly how I'd planned to spend it, but then life is full of surprises, and challenges too.

The Old Testament reading is Psalms 62-64

1
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.


1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
9
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
11
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.


1
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
7
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
8
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
9
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10
The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.


The New Testament reading is Romans 1. Romans is central to the doctrines of the Christian church and as good an exposition of the faith - outside of the Gospels - as you will find. Every word here is important, starting with the very first.

1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

30 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 30 July 2010

this is a back-dated post

for the morning, Psalms 59, 60, 61

1
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4
They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5
Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8
But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
10
The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.


1
O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
2
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
3
Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
4
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5
That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
6
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
8
Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
9
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
10
Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
11
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.


1
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6
Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.



for the evening, Acts 28, verses 16-31

16
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
23
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26
Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

29 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 29 July 2010

Sincere apologies for the gaps in coverage lately. Things have been very "difficult" here, and the fact that Dear Wife was involved in a wreck last night hasn't helped things. Life can be hard, and we have had plenty of reasons to know that. We have also, very often, experienced the Lord's faithfulness. Big time. But things are tough and the immediate is stealing far too much attention from the eternal. My fault. Not His.

1
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7
Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?


1
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
2
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
3
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
6
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
11
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.


1
Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3
The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5
Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7
Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8
As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9
Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11
So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.


1
And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2
And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
7
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9
So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10
Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14
Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
15
And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

27 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 27 July 2010

More apologies for the gaps here. Been a tough few days, weeks. Sorry.

This morning, Psalms 50, 51, and 52. Psalm 51 is very much on my mind these days.

1
The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
3
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
7
Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
8
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
9
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
10
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
13
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.
18
When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
21
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.


1
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


1
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.



This evening, verses 1-25 from Acts 27.
1
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4
And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5
And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6
And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8
And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10
And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11
Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13
And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17
Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18
And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19
And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

25 July 2010

Today's Readings -- 25 July 2010

Sunday morning. I got home a short time ago after working all night, and have to leave here in about 90 minutes to lead a Bible study at the church. The study deserves a fresher person but I'm all there is, apparently. Then back home to catch up on some Z's, and perchance to spend some time with my One True Love. This is wearing me down. Oh, and some Smart Boy has opined that it would be Really Neat for me to pull a 14-hour stint this coming Friday night. This is getting just a bit old. Did I mention that I really need a new job????
Apologies for the gaps in posting the last few days. It's been rough.

This morning's reading is Psalms 44, 45, 46. Psalm 46 is an always favorite. And true.

1
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
2
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
3
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
4
Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
5
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
6
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
8
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
9
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
10
Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
11
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
12
Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
13
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
14
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
15
My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
16
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
17
All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
18
Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
19
Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22
Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
24
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
25
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
26
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.


1
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8
All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11
So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13
The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16
Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.


1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.









This evening, Acts 25.
1
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
13
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23
And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.