Today's Readings And Stuff -- Wednesday, 04 July 2018 commemorated in America as Independence Day

Today is a holiday, Independence Day.  Today is, and will increasingly be, celebrated with excess drinking, various sorts of fireworks of all sizes, and the related incidents of drunk driving, bad behavior, injuries, and probably more than a couple deaths.  After more than half a century of observation, I've not yet seen the 4th of July without such.  Too bad, really.

Wife had a bad night with little sleep, and I got almost none myself.  I've already made the trip Across The Line into Pennsyltucky to pick up one of her prescriptions, one that she was notified last evening was ready.  Only to discover that the pharmacy at the Big Box store is closed today, something that her message carefully avoided communicating to her.  So, I guess I'll try again tomorrow.  I did get a package of an over-the-counter remedy (fexofenadine) which we hope will assist with the sinus blockages and gunk that had her coughing last night for hours on end.

So she's resting right now, fast asleep in fact, and I'd love to join her in that but never got into these mid-day siestas.  Once I'm up, I'm up.  But am being quiet, which seems to be a good plan.  The usual crowd of drunks two doors down on the corner and their counterparts on the corner diagonal from them, haven't cranked up the volume yet, so it's still quiet around here. 

I was out yesterday weeding in the garden.  It's always discouraging.  I know that I pulled a whole lot out, but you can't tell.  Which, of course, means that I cleared away enough that you can see the stuff that the stuff I took out had hidden.  Now it's in the open (and laughing at me, maybe).  It's like that in life:  the closer you get to seeing Jesus, the more the "stuff" in you (me) shows, the things that were hidden before.  Getting close to Him is still the objective, and must always be.  And I mean that "getting close" in all the ways it can be taken.  We want people to look at us and see Him.  Always.  But there are a lot of weeds in the way.  Distracting ones at that.  Tempting to forget the objective and to just focus on the weeds.
Now, some of those "weeds" (the ones in the garden) aren't evil in themselves.  Some are actually pretty, some are even useful plants in other contexts.  But they do interfere with the ability of the tomatoes and cucumbers to bear fruit.  Same with us.  The "weeds" in my life aren't necessarily evil, some anyway, but they distract from the focus  on Him, keeping me (us) from being fruitful, and distracting from the focus.
Lots easier to just go the the market and buy the tomatoes already grown and picked, but that's not our assignment.


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1st Chronicles 27

27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

27:2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

27:4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

27:5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

27:17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

27:18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

27:19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

27:20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

27:22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

27:23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

27:25 And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

27:26 And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:

27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

27:28 And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

27:29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:

27:30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

27:31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

27:32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:

27:33 And Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

27:34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

1st Chronicles 28

28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

28:4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:

28:5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

28:6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

28:7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

28:8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

28:12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

28:13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

28:15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

28:16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:

28:17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver:

28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.


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Today, verses 113-120 in Psalm 119.

Psalm 119, Verses 113 - 120

119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.


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Today, chapter 16 in the Epistle To The Romans, completing it.
This is, of course, the close of the letter.  Most of us these days haven't had much experience in writing long letters (other than business ones, and often not then) to far-off friends and family members.  I can still recall, dimly of course, far-off maiden aunts, some elderly, who, particularly at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other events, would pen LONG letters all over.  They were filled with observations, thoughts, complaints (often) including health issues or misbehaving children or neighbors or the like.  I didn't get them, but my mom (rarely my dad, or at least I think so) did, and kept them I guess.  It used to be "the thing".  Bear in mind that, just as in Paul's time, the instantaneous communication links of telephones, internet, e-mail, etc. didn't exist:  many of these ladies did not even have a "land line" telephone.  So the sort of casual yak-yak didn't occur.  And few people traveled (willingly) more than moderate walking distance from their homes.  I used to commute nearly 100 miles back and forth to work, a distance most would never travel in their lifetimes.
So Paul was putting out something that would be read aloud, passed around, certainly be copied laboriously by hand (which is how we have it now) and was intended to be regarded seriously.  Which it was and still is.
Note the names and the requests.  Do you ever think that no one realizes what you do for the Lord?  It's a temptation, surely, and more than a few of those called to the various roles within the church feel that discouragement at times.  It's real.  But, never fear, the Lord knows.  And, even if (when) the people neglect to say the "thank you" and "I am here to help", know that most notice.  How would you like it if your name was in this list of "greet ..... "??  It is in one such list, at least one.

Romans 16

16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

16:9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

16:11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

16:12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.