14 September 2013

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 14 September, 2013

things are moving fast, I guess.  The dates are, certainly.  Visible accomplishments, not so much.  We're hoping to be MOVED in two weeks, and we've been packing and such, and it still looks like we've done little. 
Middle of the night here.  Dear Wife is passed out in bed, I need to get her up about now.  Try to do as much of the heavy stuff in the cool hours as possible, with A/C essentially gone.  We have concluded a deal to sell off our little place, with him looking at taking possession around the first of the month.  Lots to do yet, and one of the needed documents is missing, so we spent much of yesterday down at the appropriate government offices, waiting in line behind a whole bunch of people, and repeatedly explaining what was needed to a clerk who had to go for instructions every few minutes.  Are we the only ones who have to go through such things out of our own, somewhat disorganized, life?  Guess so.
Anyway, I'm sitting at the kitchen table, sipping coffee, munching a fat pill (a Krispy Kreme donut) and thinking about the past and the future.  A few years ago, we were at a family "do" in the area we are moving back to.  It was Christmas, and I noticed the churches half empty at a time of year they were normally over-flowing, and most present had seen a LOT of winters.  Foolishly perhaps, when we came back, I told our pastor that "I don't think I'm the one to lead a reawakening among the "cultural Christians" of that area, but someone should."  Dear Wife is telling me that was like one of those "here am I, send me" moments we see in Scripture.  Don't think I measure up, but the issue is a real one.
So we shall see.  This could get interesting.

The morning's Old Testament passage is Proverbs 25, 26, 26


1
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.


1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14
As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.


1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
4
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
10
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
13
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
14
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16
Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
18
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
19
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
20
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
22
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
24
For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
25
The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26
The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
27
And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.




========

This evening, chapter 6 in 2nd Corinthians.

1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

13 September 2013

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 13 September 2013

trying to get everything done at once, failing in all of it.  Dear Wife is passed out on the bed and I need to get her back up while things are a bit cool here.  Lower Alabama has many charms, surely, but the heat in a place lacking real A/C is not one of them.  Her meds make that worse, and it's frankly part of the calculation that has us moving North.

This morning's Old Testament readng is from the Proverbs, chapters 23 and 24.

1
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11
For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12
Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27
For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28
She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33
Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34
Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35
They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.


1
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.



=====

This evvening, chapter 5 in 2nd Corinthians.


1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.



12 September 2013

Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 12 September 2013

Short shrift and VERY late, sorry.  Been a long day, tomorrow likewise.
Buried in all the mess going along with this relocation stuff.  Boxes and boxes everywhere, and we've barely begun it seems.  And she wants us to be THERE in two weeks .  Just don't know how, need some Divine help on this.

The Old Testament passage:  Proverbs 21 and 22


1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8
The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.


1
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23
For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.




====

and the day's New Testament reading, chapter 4 in 2nd Corinthians.


1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.



11 September 2013

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 11 September, 2013

It is 9//11.     I do not know what this day will bring, but then that is the case for every day.  The Lord knows the hearts of men and He's not off taking a nap.  We shall get through, one way or another.

I will post thoughts on the day in a separate posting.

This morning's Old Testament reading continues with Proverbs 19 and 20.

1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.


1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
11
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24
Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.


===================

This evening's New Testament passage is chapter 3 from 2nd Corinthians.


1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.