Today's Reading August 10

Happy Friday.
This morning we look at Psalms 88 and 89.
Psalm 88 is noted in one of my Bibles as being a psalm of the sons of Korah.
When we are in trouble and distress, we cry out to the Lord. Why not? Where else could we, should we go? When we need help and comfort, should we not go to the One can is both willing and able? thus

Chapter 88
1 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

Now, note something here. He hasn't cried to the Lord just once and 'POOF' it's all better now. Sometimes we wish that would be the case, and sometimes it is, but the Lord of the Universe is just that, and not a waiter in a restaurant.

Psalm 89 is noted as ''a contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite''.
This is a praise Psalm, a good one. A pastor of ours once told us that a good thing to do is to pray Scripture, and a good place to start is in the Psalms. This one would be a good one to use. See how it starts out,

1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

and it ends with

52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

that would, by the way, be a good way to end all of our prayers. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name' is quite all right.

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Romans chapter 10.
This is, like all of Romans, just chock-full of Good Stuff.

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Deut 30:14
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Isa 28:16
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Joel 2:32
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Isa 52:7
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Isa 53:1
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Do you believe that? I do.

Today's Reading August 09

This morning we continue with Psalms 85, 86, and 87

Chapter 86
1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

This evening we turn to Romans chapter 9. Paul is speaking here primarily of the Jews, his own people, as if he could persuade them all. This is a passage that builds on the previous sections, by itself it loses some of the context, some of the richness of the proposition. There is a lot here, a lot that I don't understand fully, and a lot that makes me uncomfortable. There is here some of the inklings of the doctrine sometimes called ''Limited Atonement'', the theory that Jesus did not die for all, but only for those foredestined, sometimes called double predestination. I don't know the answer, and this is a section that all of us need to chew over more.

Air conditioning or prayer?

Sometimes you come across something that makes you ashamed. Happens to me a lot. Don't know what that means. At any rate, over at the 4HisGlory website, there's a fine article entitled Air Conditioned Churches or Perseverance of the Saints?
and the author recounts hearing two urgent prayers at the seminary he attends. One asked the Lord for air conditioning so that things won't be so uncomfortable at church Sunday. The other prayer lifted up the remaining living Korean missionaries, the ones that the Islamic heathens have not yet murdered. Which matter is more important to us?
Which one is more important to me? How many churches around the world will even think of these brave missionaries this Sunday, or even on a Wednesday evening?

Today's Reading August 08

Continuing in the Psalms this morning, we now turn to Psalms 82, 83, and 84. 82 and 83 are psalms of Asaph, while 84 is listed as a psalm of the sons of Korah. One of the great things to be around is someone who knows the Lord, and makes it plain. You see that in all three of these.

Chapter 84
1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

How strongly do we long for the Lord, as spoken in vs. 2? I know that you could make a good sermon out of that verse, and not exhaust the subject.
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And now we continue in chapter 8 of Romans, verses 19 through 39. When we started into Romans, I said some things about how important this book is. Upon re-examination, that was an understatement. Please do not miss any of this.
But where do we start? How about

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Some of us have hung on to that one in times of trouble. Or perhaps

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Which is comforting to remember when the whole world seems to be in battle array against us. But I also love these

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Psa 44:22
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

By the way, it is no accident this intersection between the Psalmists and the words of Paul.

Picture of nephew's stroller

OK, this is a bit weird, I'll admit. We got an e-mail last night from my wife's sister's son. He sent a picture of the new baby in a rather unusual baby carriage. Only in America I guess. I've never seen one quite like it.
If you take from this that our nephew is somewhat overly fond of the whole 'Monster Truck' thing, you would be correct.

Today's Reading August 07

This morning we take up Psalms 79, 80, and 81
These are, like a number of others in this section, psalms of Asaph, not of David.
Psalm 79 is known as an ''imprecatory Psalm'', which is theologian-speak for ''dear Lord, destroy our enemies''. In the Mennonite churches of my youth, these were not much spoken of, they have decided that absolute non-violence is the only Biblical attitude to have and largely ignore Bible passages to the contrary. This is one of them. This passage is felt to correspond to the Babylonian conquering of Israel and Judah and the Captivity there. The psalmist is entreating the Lord to remember His people, to redeem them, to strike down those who mocked Him and His name.

apter 79
1 O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Psalm 81 seems to be a liturgical work, a celebration of the harvest, which was one of the annual Jewish festivals, as it still is today.

Chapter 81
1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

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This evening we look at Romans chapter 8, verses 1 through 18
Oh my! this is good!

Chapter 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It just gets better and better.

Today's Reading August 06

Happy Monday to all. Just after 0600 here
Today's Old Testament reading takes up Psalms 78
This was composed by Asaph, and his Psalms are liturgical in style. This one is a remembrance, a record of some of the things that the Lord had done for his people. It is good to do this, to keep the recollection fresh. There is a saying that ,''men need more often to be reminded than to be taught''. We too soon forget our blessings, we need to rehearse them. Asaph's psalm here provides some outline for this.

1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Mt 13:35
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

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This evening we turn to the letter to the Romans chapter 7
Paul is speaking about the Law and its effects, its relationship to the sin that it reveals, to the sin nature even within him, and ends with these words,

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Who among us does not know this conflict, a conflict with only one hope.

Today's Reading August 05

Good morning. around 07:30 here. No rain -- we are still in a severe drought here.

This morning we get into Psalms 75, 76, and 77. More of the desperate cries of one who needs the Lord. All of us do, but sometimes we forget that, until circumstances remind us.

Chapter 77
1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

This evening we turn to chapter 6 of the Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Romans is a very significant book in Christianity, you don't have to go very far to see that. Romans 6 builds throughout, but concludes with a memorable phrase,

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do you believe that? I do. That, my friends, is Good News. That is the Gospel.

Today's Reading August 04

And a good Saturday to all. I hope that the morning is well with you.

This morning we turn to Psalms 73 and 74. These are both of them noted as Psalms of Asaph, rather than of David. And they are part of a group sometimes referred to as Psalms of the Sanctuary, liturgical Psalms if you like, Psalms used in organized praise and worship. There is a regrettable tendency among those of us in the American Anabaptist tradition to be resistant to anything around the heading of ''liturgical'', connecting it with the more 'High Church'' practices of Rome, the various Orthodox and Byzantine Rite churches, the High Church Anglicans, and some others. That may be a mistake - there is something to be said for fostering the sense of awe and majesty that is appropriate when we are in the very Presence of the Living God. But there is also something to be said for the recognition that we are, today, standing in the midst of a long line of those who have brought our lives, our troubles, our needs, our worship and praise to the only One to whom we should bring them. These Psalms, thousands of years old, are to me ever timely. Our situations really are not terrible different. The words here are those any of us in distress might say, perhaps not terribly different from those we have said.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

One thing about liturgical works - they really ought to be read aloud. Unless you are one of those who can read something and hear the oratory in your mind, with emphasis and pauses, you won't get the full effect, the richness, just in silent reading. And, actually, the Psalms beg to be spoken, not just gazed upon. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

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This evening we get into the 5th chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. Like the entire work, this chapter really gets into the meat of the faith. I have been told that Martin Luther thought that all Christians should memorize the entire book. I haven't, not as a deliberate effort, but portions of it are in the memory banks. You may find that to be the case as well. Consider,

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

or

1 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

I can not say this too often: every phrase, every word in this book should be gone over carefully. This is not ''fluff'', this is meaty. Don't miss any of it.

Today's Reading August 03

Trying to get back on schedule. Yesterday was a very very long day. I think that the meeting/interview went well, but then I have been wrong before.

And sometimes odd things happen. I met an older guy, a security person at one of the airports, sort of a first line before you get to the TSA station. He looked at my ID, and remarked that he'd been a pastor for some time in a town about 15 miles from where I now am. Since that was hundreds of miles and a different time zone from where I now am, that was odd in itself. He told me he'd been a bi-vocational minister, his day job was as an engineer. I told him about our bi-vocational pastor who is leaving us this week. He said, '' why don't you do it?''. Well, as I told him, while I love to teach, and do, I've not ever heard a call to preach and I'm approaching the age that most pastors are thinking about retirement in the not-too-distant future. But it was an interesting exchange - he asked me to convey his regards to his successor in a nearby church, which I will try to do.

Funny how God puts improbable people in your path, though.
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Today's reading from the Old Testament, is Psalms 70, 71, and 72. Psalm 72 is noted as a Psalm of Solomon. But Psalm 70 captures where my head has been sometimes,

Chapter 70
1 MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME; MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD.
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Does that sound to you like ''HELP! HELP!!''? It does to me. Been there.

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From the New Testament, Romans 4.
I don't know that it is possible to summarize this chapter. It builds throughout, and you really need to go over it, slowly and thoroughly, and probably several times. Paul is talking about salvation by grace alone by faith alone. He hasn't quite completed it to ''in Jesus Christ, alone'', but that's where it's going.
Romans is as close as I can think of to an outline of the faith. It's very intense and it is very important, and it is very good reading.

Today's Reading August 02

This is being post-dated, mainly just to maintain some continuity. I rolled out of bed at 0320 to get to the airport by 0450 to catch a 0615 flight, the first leg of an air travel ordeal that reminds me why I hate flying. The trip home was worse - our 2-hour layover in Charlotte was closer to 5 hours - good old US Airways, the former 'Agony Airlines' - managed to lose the flight crew for our final hop. Right. Couldn't find them. They actually had to wake up a crew held in reserve and warm them up. Result was that it was pushing midnight before I got home.
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The day's reading in the Old Testament, Psalms 68 and 69

Chapter 69
1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
John 15:25
5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

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In the New Testament, Romans 3
Here is what we hold to be true, in a concentrated form

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Today's Reading August 01

Today we begin a new month. Happy August.
I am supposed to be traveling tomorrow, so it's not certain when this will be updated. I have to leave here about 0430 or so in order to catch a 0615 flight out and won't be back home until late. This job hunting stuff can wear a person down in so many ways all at once. We ran into one of the deacons at our church last night at the store - with the pastor leaving this week, and us likely to leave soon as well, things are in a bit of an upset. But, as I told him, I'm not driving this bus and have no idea what bends are in the road ahead. So we trust the drive to get us where we're supposed to be.
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The Old Testament portion today is Psalms 65, 66, and 67. Rather a lot of them, aren't there? Sometimes, the shorter ones say it pretty well. Like this one,

Chapter 67
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

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This evening gets to Romans chapter 2. As we said yesterday, you really need to chew on every verse pretty thoroughly. There is a lot in this passage to digest. There is also a stark warning, first to the Jews in Paul's era, but also to the Church in ours,

23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Ezek 36:20, 23

That is as stark and harsh a warning and reproach as one can imagine. And still appropriate.

Today's Reading July 31

This morning in the Old Testament we look to Psalms 62, 63, and 64. All of these are from David. I particularly (personal preference, nothing more) love Psalm 63. According to my study Bible, he composed it when he was in the wilderness of Judah. In this case, ''wilderness'' does not mean 'jungle', it's more like a desert plain I guess, or an arid grassland at best. And David is having a hard time, and yet his greatest need is for the Lord. I confess, there have been and are times in my life when I did hunger and thirst for the Lord in the way David does here, but not as often or as deeply as should be the case. David says it well,

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

To be desperate for the Lord, when NOTHING else will do, that is proper.
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Now we get into Paul's Epistle to the Romans, beginning with all of Romans 1. I have in one of my other study Bibles, the Living Insights Study Bible with commentary by Chuck Swindoll, an account of a great minister named Donald Barnhouse, who, on assuming a new pastorate, stepped into the pulpit the first Sunday and preached on Romans 1, verse 1. The second Sunday he took on Romans 1, verse 2, and didn't quite finish. So on Sunday 3 he took up where he'd left off and continued in this vein for, I believe 42 months never leaving the book of Romans. This was later published in 10 volumes entitled ''Romans''. I'd love to read that work. The book of Romans is one of the most important in all the New Testament. And yes, they're all important. But some really stand out, and Romans is one of them. There's just not much ''filler'' here, it's all good stuff.
For example, look at the very first word. ''Paul ...''. Stop there. That was not his 'given' name, not the one his parents gave, it was not his name at his Bar Mitzvah. Now go back to where Saul of Tarsus became Paul. What caused that change in his life? He met Jesus, that's what happened, and from that moment forth, his whole being changed. See what I mean? You absolutely could make a sermon out of Romans 1:1. Someone did. Read this whole work in that manner, don't fly past anything. There are nuggets of real gold here if we don't speed past them. I call attention to the end of the chapter, verses 28 to the end of the chapter. See if you don't agree that it sounds all too much like our world today, and indeed several 'churches'.

The Book of Romans

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

Today's Reading July 30

This morning, we turn to Psalms 59, 60, and 61
My current favorite study Bible, a New King James, has some comments for each of these. For Psalm 59, it says '' .... of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.'' He was right in the midst of trouble, and so he prayed, and recorded it. For Psalm 60, the comment says in part, '' ... When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.'' I am reminded that I have not really made a song, a record, of the times that the Lord has given me the victory in a hopeless situation. But David did, his Psalms are a record of where he has been and what God has done for him.

Chapter 61
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

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This evening's New Testament reading completes the final chapter of the book of the Acts, chapter 28 verses 16 through 31. Paul is in Rome, treated essentially as a high-ranking prisoner. He is visited by the Jewish religious leaders and while some receive him, others do not. He sends them off with an admonition:

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Paul was as free to preach the Gospel as a prisoner as he was unbound. What constrained him was not a prison. How many of us are not in prison but reluctant tot do as he did?

Today's Reading July 29

Good morning. Off to church in just a bit - we don't get going until around 9:30. This will be a tough service, our bi-vocational pastor is leaving after today. He and family have been wonderful, certainly in the year that we have been here. We wish them well. But it will be a strain on the congregation as we begin the process of finding God's will in the matter.
--
This morning's Old Testament portion continues in the Psalms (I did say we'd be here a while, recall?) as we turn to Psalms 56, 57, and 58. I love some of the imagery of the Psalmist, little snippets of great insight that come from a person who both knows distress and knows the Lord. For example, from Psalm 56

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

. He knows firmly that the Lord is present and knows it all, he has not been forgotten. Or,

Chapter 57
1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

Seems to me someone made a song out of that a few years ago, I was part of a choir that sang it. David's themes are still ours.
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This evening we begin the final chapter of Acts, chapter 28 verses 1 through 15.
Having survived a shipwreck, Paul and his companions, and the Roman soldiers nominally his guards, take shelter on an island. At which point Paul is bitten by a venomous snake, and suffers no ill effects. Shades of Satan again, and it doesn't work this time either, and the snake is cast into a fire. Good imagery there. As a result of all of this, Paul ends up laying hands on and healing the father of the chief man of the island, leading to quite a stir and yet another opportunity to proclaim the Gospel. Eventually they make it to Italy.
I wish I had a good understanding of what happened in these areas and to these people that Paul (and others) just ''happened'' to be preaching to on the way through. What of the soldiers and sailors who were on that ship, what of the inhabitants of that island, what of Agrippa and his court?

Today's Reading July 28

A lovely morning.
This morning we turn our attention to Psalms 53, 54, and 55. More personal experience, more cries of the heart.

Chapter 53
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Rom 3:10 Psa 14:1
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
Rom 3:11 Psa 14:2
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Rom 3:12 Psa 14:3
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

================ ============ =======
Our evening reading from the New Testament completes chapter 27 of the Acts, verses 26 through 44. The ship carrying the prisoner Paul to Rome meets a storm and begins the process of sinking. Yet Paul does not lose hope, and even in his status as prisoner assumes a leadership role in the midst of it all, encourages the other members of the 276 persons aboard, and inspires even the centurion. The result? The ship breaks up, yes. But

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Today's Reading July 27

Sorry for the delay again, it really has not been a great day.
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Today, from the Old Testament, Psalms 50, 51, and 52. Psalm 51 is sometimes termed a Psalm of repentance. Perhaps that is why it's an old favorite of mine, I've had som many occasions to find it appropriate. David wrote it after being called out for his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Who among us is without sin? Not I. Nor David, and from his heart came

Chapter 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Rom 3:4
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Sound familiar? Resonate in your life like it does in mine?

--
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From the New Testament, Acts chapter 27, verses 1 through 25. Paul is on his way to Rome, under arrest, heading for his eventual death. And by ship at that, something most Jews did not like to do - the Sea of Galilee was bad enough, the Mediterranean was much more forbidding. But he went, a two ship journey, rather like us when we have to take two or more planes to get to our destination. And the second ship promptly got into trouble, foundered, sank.
Yet even in this, in the midst of the storm, God shows up. And Paul, speaking to the terrified crew and passengers says,

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

and so it was.

Re all the traveling

My ''love affair'' with Alabama drivers is continuing. I realize that we will always have those who regard the speed limit signs as being a benchmark of opportunity. But yesterday morning I was passed by a convoy of three vehicles, all WELL in excess of the posted limit, and ALL bearing tags identifying them as the property of the state of Alabama. Civil 'servants' driving at illegal speeds, in other words. Last night I very nearly got rear-ended on I-65 by an aggressive high-speed tailgater, also driving a car with state government tags. I guess the laws are only binding on regular citizens. Clearly, neither common courtesy or adherence to the law or safe driving practices are requirements for state jobs. I'd be surprised, but I've seen the same in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Michigan, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Today's Reading July 26

This has been a week. Monday morning I set off on the 400-odd mile drive to the other side of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I'd never been there before. Had a good meeting Monday morning, nice people, nice operation. Then I got back in the car and drove back another 400 miles.
Yesterday morning I got back in the car and drove 200 or so miles to the area of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Never been there before either, I kept looking for Lynnard Skynnard signs but must have missed them. Anyway, a good meeting with some really neat people, but it was heading towards 6pm when I left and it's a l-o-n-g drive home. After traveling to Dallas and Houston last week, far northwest Tennessee the week before, and a threatened trip to northeast Kentucky Real Soon Now, it's getting wearying. And the stress of the situation is doing My Beloved no particular good.
When I write that God's Presence, and the words of the Bible have been a great comfort to us in times of great trial, it's not an exaggeration. We have certainly been through it.
-- ---
The morning's passage from the Old Testament turns now to Psalms 47, 48, and 49. These are Psalms written down by persons other than David, there are actually quite a number of them. Singing praises to the Lord, proclaiming His greatness, relating what He has done for us, are things that ALL of us can do, and should. I'm not as eloquent as David, but that's OK.
These have always seemed to me to be more aimed at public worship than accounts of private struggle. Your mileage may vary.
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== ==
The evening's passage, Acts chapter 26, contains one of the saddest phrases in Scripture, one that has led to many sermons and prayers. Paul is using the occasion of being called to account by the Roman officials, and, having a captive audience, proclaims the Gospel. And the response,

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian

. There is a hymn in some of the hymnbooks to this day - Almost Persuaded. What a sad statement!

Today's Reading July 25

Just before dawn here. A dark night, a bright morning to come.
This morning we take up three more Psalms, identified as 44, 45, and 46
More cries to God, some of which we see again in the New Testament, such as from Psalm 44,

22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:36

One of my particular favorites comes from Psalm 46,

Chapter 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

When we have troubles, and we will, it is comforting to realize that the people of God have been in dire straits before. And He took care of them.
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This evening we turn to Acts chapter 25. More of the interplay between the religious authorities and several Roman officials, trying to figure out what charges to lay against Paul other than the fact that some people didn't like him.

Today's Reading July 24

Sorry for the delay - I was traveling again, and it appears that the LaQuinta Inn on South Acadian in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has neither WiFi or a hi-speed direct Internet connection. So, having had a job interview that ran from 0900 until 1155, and then 6-1/2 hours of driving, I have come home, kissed my beloved, fed two cats, and sat down to the desk. Makes for a long long long day. Oh, and I spent an hour on the cell phone with a recruiter on the way home, might as well use that windshield time for something. At least we were done before my very near miss with some lout. I like Alabama. I don't always love Alabama drivers - this guy decided to squeeze between me and the car that just passed me, then he wanted to pull me over and get into a fistfight over it. I saw exactly ZERO Alabama state troopers on either leg of the trip and a person, who, like myself, pays even a tiny bit of attention to the speed limit is evidently an offense against the operator of the vehicle bearing Alabama registration 59J10H. He had to be doing well over 90mph when he pulled that squeeze play. I don' object to fast driving, if safe. But I-65 ain't Talladega, and most of us have neither the vehicle nor the skill set to be driving as if it were. But I guess it's not a priority here.
Tomorrow I go on another interview trip but it's ''only'' 3 hours each way and I don't have to leave out early.
Anyway ...
We continue today in the Psalms, 41, 42, and 43. As I've said before, these have some variety to them. Some are cries from the hear, intensely personal and written while something was going on. Some are more formal, intended I think for a worship service. This is of the first kind, but we'll be into the second kind soon.

Chapter 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Our New Testament reading is from Acts 24. Paul is hauled before the Roman ruler to answer to charges relating to disturbances in Jerusalem. And so, he proclaims the Gospel to them as well. Start of a pattern here.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Today's Reading July 23

Good morning.
This morning we take up Psalms 38, 39, and 40.
David, and the other psalmists as well, essentially wrote these out of his own experiences. When he spoke of his enemies, he knew whereof he spoke. When he spoke of the blessings, love, mercies, and forgiveness of the Lord, he had some experience with that as well. Many of us have.
You will probably find some things here that resonate in your own life. I have.
For me personally,

Chapter 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

He is worthy to be praised.
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This eventing we turn to the Acts chapter 23, verses 12 through 35.
The matter continues to play out. These schemers, hoping to murder Paul, are setting in motion the events that will take Paul to Rome, exactly where the Lord wants him, and the Roman government ends up paying the fare! Meanwhile, the plots and schemes of the plotters are frustrated. I wonder if they learned anything from the experience.

Today's Reading July 22

Good morning. Off to church in a short while.
This morning we take up Psalms 36 and 37. Many of these Psalms were written by David, not in times of peace and plenty, but in times of struggle and trouble, sometimes when he was in hiding and running for his life. Yet he had the ability, the faith, to see beyond the circumstances of the moment, something we also have to do. And to do that requires faith in the Lord. Usually that faith has some basis in experience - I know the Lord can do this because I know what He has done for me and for others. It's a growing in the Lord. Hence, from Psalm 37,

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

and

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Hang on, it's just getting started. God has not forgotten you and what is happening is not hidden from Him. Trust Him.

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This evening we turn to verses 1 through 11 of Acts chapter 23. This continues the early stages of the path that will take Paul to Rome. Indeed, while imprisoned (an inconvenient fact the 'name it and claim it' [also known as the blab it and grab it] crowd dislikes to mention), the Lord tells him he must now go to Rome. But before that, Paul appears before the Jewish Council and states part of his case.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Which is certainly wise.

Today's Reading July 21

It is Saturday, around a quarter after 05:00. The house is quiet for a moment, my beloved has had a bad night and has finally fallen back asleep for a while.
--
This morning's reading is Psalms 34 and 35
Memorable phrases here, and phrases that appear later in the New Testament

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
1 Pet 3:10
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
1 Pet 3:10
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
1 Pet 3:11
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
1 Pet 3:12
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
1 Pet 3:12
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

===
This evening's reading is chapter 22 of the book of the Acts.
Paul is standing on the steps of the castle in Jerusalem, and speaks to the people, a great crowd. In essence, his speech consists of his own personal testimony, something every one of us should be able to give. His words are listened to, right up to the point that he relates that the Lord has sent him as a missionary to the Gentiles. That was the limit of their patience - they were not prepared to go along with that. And a riot ensues, and now we see the first stages slowly unfolding that will sent Paul to Rome.

Today's Reading July 20

Good morning and happy Friday to all. It's still dark here at 5:30, but we know the sun is coming.
--
this morning we get into Psalms 31, 32, and 33
These are great. As you probably know, most of the Psalms - not all - were written down by David. David had a tumultuous life. He spent a good while running from those who would take hia life, he spent a good while in warfare against fierce enemies, he spent a good while as a ruler of a stiff-necked nation, and he spent some time in public and private sin. Yet he came back to the Lord. These psalms often reflect the turmoil and experiences in his own life. When he refers to being surrounded by enemies, it's not an exaggeration: it often happened. And when he speaks of the grace and mercy of the Lord, that is also not an exaggeration. It's a testimony.
We recognize, perhaps, some of the phrases in these Psalms.
From Psalm 33,

2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

and

0 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

and all of Psalm 32

Chapter 32
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Rom 4:7
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Rom 4:8
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

--
--
This evening we turn to Acts, chapter 21, verses 15 through 40.
Paul and company come to Jerusalem, and trouble erupts almost immediately. The city erupts in what sounds like a riot, and soldiers are summoned.
There are those who have a warm and fuzzy idea of the faith, that suddenly everyone is kind and loving, that virtue is rewarded in this life, and that peace will come about. Would that it were so, but that is not what the record indicates. The fact is that the Gospel is controversial. There are a host of reasons for this, true ones. But one is this - that the Lord makes distinctions. He is, in fact, practicing discrimination. That is an emotionally loaded term these days, but in fact it's accurate. God expects some things and forbids others, does not really care what someone's private opinion may be, and is not pleased when we put other gods before Him. Allah is not the Lord Almighty, and saying otherwise won't make it so.
That causes a fuss. It did then, it still does.

Today's Reading July 19

G'morning.
Today's readings continue as we have been, in the Psalms and in the Acts.
The morning brings us Psalms 28, 29, and 30
These are relatively brief, but with great passages, good things to sing.
from 28, for example

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

Acts 21, verses 1 through 14
Paul is with his companions going back to Jerusalem, despite the warnings of danger.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

later -- updated for July 18th

am rushing to airport. Will post later
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THAT was a very long day. A 6:10am flight out, two hops, a tag team series of interviews, a quick lunch that was really a panel interview, a recap, a dash to the airport, two more hops, and a drive home. But a safe trip and enjoyable for all of that. Nice people, too.
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The readings were good too.
Psalms 25, 26, and 27 and Acts chapter 20, verses 17 through 38.
I regret not having been able to comment on these earlier, this is actually some of my favorite passages.
Psalm 27 in particular has always spoken to me, and is one of my favorites

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

The passage from Acts is Paul showing that he takes his calling seriously and is saying a final farewell (on this earth) to some of the believers

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Today's Reading July 17

Sorry for the lateness of the hour, the day started badly and has gotten no better along the way. And I have an early flight out in the morning and a late flight back. I will be traveling a good bit over the next week as I continue to job-hunt. Please pray for us. This is hard on the family, hard on me, hard on my beloved wife particularly. One of our pastors once referred to me as a Job. I don't know about that - the Bible refers to him as a righteous man and I have far to go in that regard. So pray for us.
--
The day's Old Testament sections include some of my very favorites from the Psalms, we have today Psalm 22, 23, and 24. The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture, certainly in the Old Testament. Perhaps less familiar are those flanking it. I had the assignment when a much younger person to memorize the 24th Psalm. In that time, in that denomination, memorization of portions of the Bible was just something we did, and I am grateful for it. Those passages have a way of coming to the fore when circumstances are appropriate, but are only in your mind if you put them there and were intentional in doing so. Hence, from Psalm 22:

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Matt 27:46 Mark 15:34

Sound familiar? as in, the words of Jesus on the cross? or

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Matt 27:35 John 19:24

.
Enjoy these, they have often been a great comfort to me.
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Our New Testament portion is from the Acts, chapter 20, verses 1 through 16. This contains the account that we learned of as kids, Paul preaching and a young man sitting in a high place to hear, falling asleep, falling down to his death. And God, working through the Apostle, brought him back to life.

And immigration again, legal and illegal

You will go a long time before getting a more cogent exposition of some of the issues than you will get from this at NumbersUSA .
Bluntly, this can't go on without utterly destroying the nation. Some of us might, being suspicious of the motives of certain public officials, believe that to in fact be the objective of the exercise.

Today's Reading July 16

No matter what the day may bring, God is good and I praise His name forever. His presence and His love and mercy are all that have brought me through some very difficult times and for that alone He deserves praise and thanks.
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This morning's reading from the Old Testament continues with Psalms 19, 20, and 21.
When I was a young man, up in rural northeast Ohio, the 19th Psalm was one that I chose to memorize - something strongly encouraged in that tradition. I've been grateful for that, because this is one of those passages that have helped me. Perhaps it, or one like it, is an encouragement to you as well. These Psalms are often intensely personal: they were personal to the writer and some of us hold on to one or more of them as personal to our life. This is one of them for me.

Chapter 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Rom 10:18
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

--
The day's New Testament passage is Acts, chapter 19, verses 21 through 41.
Paul and his companions have been in Ephesus preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. And he encounters opposition. We get upset when that happens, but in fact it is part of a very old tradition. If the world crucified Jesus, what makes us to think His followers will be received any better? Indeed, it is a testimony to God's provision that such is not more frequent and more violent. Then, as now, the Gospel turns the town upside down.

Today's Reading July 15

Another late start, for which I will apologize.
And I will begin with a few prayer requests.
This morning the pastor of our little church announced his resignation, leaving both his bi-vocational position and his ''day job'' with a local organization. We wish him and the family well, and also seek God's providence as we seek the man God has in mind for us. This was a very emotional moment for all, as some of you know from your own experiences.
I also request prayer. I have now been unemployed for about two months and things are not good. I have gone on several interviews but still have no clue whatever what God has for us, or where, or when. But I need to be working very soon as things are not good financially.
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The day's portion from the Old Testament are Psalms 17 and 18.
Great stuff here, a lot of books, songs, sermons, encouragement have come from these. For example, from Psalm 18

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

or

31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

or

36 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Praise the Lord. He deserves it.

- - -
Acts chapter 19, verses 1 through 20
More adventures as the Good News is preached abroad.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

And the result is well summed up in verse 20

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

And that is still true today.

Today's Reading July 14

A bit late today, the last two days were rather high stress and very long. Today was little better though it did not involve 450 miles of driving through some highly variable state highways in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. I've gotten spoiled by the Interstates, and there are places you can't fly to. So, a long drive, a layover in a Super-8 motel with lumpy mattresses and a surly night clerk, no breakfast, a tense interview meeting, no lunch, and another 450 mile drive. And an on-line appointment shortly after 7:00am that just ended. So, my apologies.
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Today's Old Testament portion: Psalms 13, 14, 15, and 16.
There is a practice that I can recommend, because I have done - and sometimes do - myself. That is to pray the Psalms. These are good examples of ones to pray when you are in distress of any kind (the natural state I think).

Chapter 13
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

When you're in trouble and in fear, praise God.
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the New Testament portion is Acts chapter 18.
the missionary efforts are bearing fruit and the converts are preaching to others who are converted, who preach to others and .... when we say that the message is powerful, it's not an exaggeration.

Reading for July 13

This is a ''make-up'' posting - I was traveling yesterday and, while the sign in front of the Super-8 motel advertised 'High Speed Internet'', in practice that was a single desk in the lobby occupied by a drunk and overlooked by a semi-sleeping Hindu desk clerk. So I missed a day.

The morning reading from the 13th is again in the Psalms, chapters 10, 11, and 12. These are almost Job-like in tone and theme - the wicked flourish and the righteous are harried and assaulted, and will the Lord deal with the situation?
This is a theme throughout Scripture, it is as old as mankind. It will probably be a theme until the Lord comes again. This is the result of a fallen world. Until He remakes it in toto, what will happen is that He transforms the believers - that's us - into new creatures, and we should be affecting that world as His representatives.
--
The evening reading from the 13th continues in the Acts, chapter 17, verses 16 through 34. Paul is preaching in Athens using as a springboard their altar to ''the Unknown God''. He never seems to miss an opportunity to proclaim Christ. And, bear in mind he walked a very long way for the opportunity to do so. No limo's for him.

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Today's Reading July 12

Good morning. This space MAY be vacant tomorrow: I am leaving on a brief overnight trip later on today and may not have access in the morning.
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This morning's Old Testament reading is again in the Psalms, chapters 7, 8, and 9
I love the Psalms, I love to sing unto the Lord. Perhaps ''make a joyful noise'' describes it well enough, but it's good to know that the effort follows a long tradition of pouring out your soul to the Lord. The psalmist ''done good''.
Some of our ''praise and worship'' songs come straight from the Psalms here. For examaple:

Chapter 8
1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Matt 21:16
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Heb 2:6
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Heb 2:7
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Heb 2:7,8 1 Cor 15:27 Eph 1:22
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

We sang it a few years ago in a version called ''The Majesty and Glory of Your Name'', and it is wonderful.
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This evening's New Testament reading is from the Acts, chapter 17, verses 1 through 15.
The missionary journey continues, now into Thessalonica. Just a few men, filled with the spirit, and you could tell they'd been there.

6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

I like that phrase. ''turned the world upside down''.
and

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

When the Good News is proclaimed, the world changes.
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Today's Reading June 11

Good morning.
Before we get started, a personal appeal. The next week or so will be a very high stress time for me. The company that moved me a third of the way across the company entered into a period of restructuring less than a year later, and I have been unemployed for two months now. I have a telephone interview on Thursday morning, then on Thursday will make a 450-mile drive to interview Friday with another company, then on Wednesday morning will fly to yet another interview with yet another. This is for obvious reasons a very high stress time. We have in the last 15 years moved across state lines 4 times and are looking at a 5th such. And my story is not unique, I know of people who have had to move every 15-18 months for 8 or 10 years as their employers move to China and Mexico. So pray for us - this is very hard on the family.
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This morning we continue in the Psalms, chapters 4, 5, and 6.
I love the Psalms, many people do.

Chapter 6
1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

I know that the Lord has heard my cries. There have been times, many, in my life that I doubt that any one person saw my distress, or cared to look, or would have cared one bit had it been seen. But the Lord knew, and cared, and carried me through. He does that, you know.
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Acts, chapter 16, verses 16 through 40
Paul and Silas are beaten and cast into prison. But that's not the end of the story.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

The jailer asked the right question. And Paul and Silas gave the right answer.
Our faith is not terribly complicated.

Today's Reading July 10

This morning we take up the Psalms. We'll be here awhile.
This morning we look at Psalms 1, 2, and 3.
It is hard for me to pick out favorites. So many of these have great personal meaning for me. A few years ago, I was greatly privileged to sing with a church choral group in eastern Tennessee a song based on Psalm 3, ''Thou, O Lord''. It has been recorded at least once and it is wonderful, and it ministered to to me in a very difficult time.

Chapter 3
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Believe me, there is help for me - and you - in God. Been there. Am there now, too.

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Acts chapter 16, verses 1 through 15.
The missionary journey, guided and directed by the Holy Spirit, comes to Macedonia.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Today's Reading July 09

This morning we finish the book of Job, chapters 40, 41, and 42.
After all of Job's disaster, after days of speculation upon the nature of God, the nature of man, the questions of ''why do bad things happen to good people?'', God shows up.

40: 1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

and

42: 1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

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Acts 15 22 through 41

4 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Today's Reading July 08

Job, chapters 38 and 39
Now we hear from God.
That packs a whole lot into a few words, doesn't it? Ever been in a terrible, terrible situation and what you needed, more than anything else, was the Presence of God? I have. Big time. I never heard Him speaking to me out of a whirlwind, but I can frankly say that in a couple times of great need, He has made his presence known. And he does so here. He doesn't really answer any of Job's questions, but He does let it me known that He has been there all along. That, my friends, is worth a great deal - we sometimes feel as if we have been abandoned, that God doesn't know. But He does.

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

His ways are not our ways. Easy to say, not so easy to live with.

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this evening's portion, Acts, chapter 15, verses 1 through 21
More of the development of the Church. I'll be teaching a lesson loosely based on this, in just a few hours. We have quite a heritage, actually.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
Amos 9:11
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Amos 9:12