13 December 2014

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 13 December 2014

freezing drizzle here today, weather and traffic alerts out.  Had to run to pharmacy earlier.  At noon, it was like being in twilight.  That's been one of the hard things getting used to after our relocation:  this area is supposedly the most overcast part of the lower 48, possibly more.  And one of the results of that is a markedly lower amount of uninterrupted sunlight getting down to where we are.  So it's not just the long long LONG period of cold weather and all that, it's that it's dark and dank and gloomy for over half the year and not all that bright and sunny even in June and July.  May -- partly -- explain why so many people are content to either sit in front of a TV, watching The Game, at home or in a bar, or to engage in other activities that anesthetize the senses.  Not a great foundation for a successful community.  Of course, the miles and miles of closed-down factories, closed-down mines, closed businesses, burned-out or vacant houses, or bare and overgrown spots where all of these used to be, doesn't improve that.  I drove about five miles to the pharmacy, and while I didn't go by any closed mines, I could have taken a route that did, and the route I took went by many examples of all the other conditions.  There's a bare spot where a house was, two houses from ours, and a burned-out one two houses in the other direction.  And many more besides, several within easy walking distance.  Hope.  It's a necessity, and so many around here have lost theirs.  The liquor and drugs and various dalliances are a poor substitute, build up no one, and consume you.  Sin is like that.
Trying to point out the source of our Hope is, perhaps, why we're here, but I think I'm doing a poor job of it.

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The Old Testament reading is the entirety of the book of Joel, one of the so-called "Minor Prophets".  His name translates into "Yahweh is the Lord".  The question of "who is God?" was an issue then, and still is. 


Joel 1
1
The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
2
Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
3
Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
4
That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
5
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
6
For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
7
He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
8
Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
9
The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD's ministers, mourn.
10
The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
11
Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
12
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
13
Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
14
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,
15
Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
16
Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
17
The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
18
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
19
O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
20
The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.


1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2
A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3
A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5
Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6
Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11
And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20
But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
22
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.


1
For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
3
And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
4
Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
5
Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:
6
The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
7
Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:
8
And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
9
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11
Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12
Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13
Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17
So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
18
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
19
Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20
But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21
For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.



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The New Testament reading is chapter 4 of the Revelation.




1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.




12 December 2014

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 12 December 2014

relatively quiet.  Dear Wife is moving around a little bit, was over at Niece's house (next door) to "watch" Beloved Great-Niece most of the day, went over around 0630 and came home around 3:30 p.m.  She's next to me right now, on phone with Beloved Elder Daughter.  Daughter has quit her teaching job, she's in hiding now, escaping the serious death threats that she was receiving from her students.  Her students were, largely, comprised of ILLEGAL ALIENS that the Manchurian Candidate allowed to enter the country, illegally on both parts, thereby displacing the students who actually belong there.  I find it hard to generate a truly Christian response.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 12, 13, 14 of Hosea.  This completes Hosea.


1
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2
The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
4
Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
5
Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
6
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.
7
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
8
And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9
And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
11
Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12
And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13
And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14
Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him.


1
When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
2
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
3
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
4
Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
5
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
6
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
7
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
8
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
9
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
10
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
11
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
12
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
13
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
15
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
16
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.


1
O israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
3
Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
9
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.






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The New Testament reading is chapter 3 of the Revelation.

1
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

11 December 2014

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 11 December 2014

a quiet day here as I again play the full-time caregiver role.  We were supposed to take her to allergist for her weekly dose Tuesday, and get "blood work" done by endocrinologist (same suite of offices) at the same visit.  She was not up to it yesterday.  And wasn't again, today.  I am worried that her pneumonia may be making a return visit.  So we're not doing much of anything today.  Perhaps tomorrow.  I hope so, I have to pick up a prescription refill (for me this time) tomorrow.  Should have gotten it today, but that did not work out.  We shall see.

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The Old Testament passage today is Hosea 9, 10, and 11.  Pay attentio to vrse 1 of Hosea 11.  You would find it again in the New Testament, Matthew 2:15

1
Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
2
The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
3
They shall not dwell in the LORD's land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
4
They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
5
What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?
6
For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
7
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
8
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
9
They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
11
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
12
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
13
Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
14
Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
15
All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
16
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
17
My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.


1
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
3
For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
4
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
5
The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
6
It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7
As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
8
The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
9
O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
10
It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
11
And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
14
Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
15
So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.


1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
3
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
5
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
6
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
10
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.


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The New Testament passage is chapter 2 of the Revelation  To repeat previous statement, I do not feel adequate to comment on Revelation in general, and normally will not do so.

1
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28
And I will give him the morning star.
29
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

10 December 2014

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 10 December 2014

and another day.  Dear Wife was supposed to go to the clinic today for allergy shot and some "blood work" for the endocrinologist.  Fortunately, they're in the same suite of offices, so it's not too bad, but she just did not feel up to it, so I guess we're going in the morning.  Had to run acorss town for a bit, over to nephew's place.  He and his wife, and our niece as well, ahd to go to some quick gathering over on the Pa. side of the line, and needed us to "watch" three small kids.  So we did.  Having no grandchildren of our own, we sort of "borrow" my sister-in-law's grandkids.  Like today.  Came home, nibbled some leftovers from the fridge.  Crashing in a bit.

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

The Old Testament reading today is chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Hosea.

1
Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
2
And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
3
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
4
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
5
And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah also shall fall with them.
6
They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
7
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
8
Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.
9
Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
10
The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
11
Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
12
Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
14
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
15
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.


1
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7
But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8
Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
10
I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11
Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.


1
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
2
And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
3
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
5
In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
6
For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
7
They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
8
Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
10
And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.
11
Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
12
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
13
Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14
And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
15
Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
16
They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.


1
Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
2
Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.
3
Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.
4
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
5
Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?
6
For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
7
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
8
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
9
For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
10
Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.
11
Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
12
I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.
13
They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
14
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.


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The New Testament reading is chapter 1 of the Revelation.
The Revelation is packed with a lot of imagery and prophecy.  I have heard MANY persons, all much more learned than I, speak and write at length on this book.  And with that has come a great deal of disagreement.
I don't have that much insight nor confidence.  So, for the rest of this section, I will present the text without comment unless and until the Lord puts it in my heart, and in an unmistakable way.

1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.