Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 22 August 2013

Not sure I like this retirement stuff.  Feels odd, not running off to work every day.  Did it almost daily since around 1969.  That's a LONG time, and the habit is not easy to break.  Not sure I want to, actually.  The specific circumstances that have led to the current situation I may speak of, at another time.  Suffice it to say that I had not intended to make this change for about another seven years.  We shall see.

Been an active day nonetheless.  Dealing with some tax issues, hopefully resolved now, and some other financial matters that we are on our way to resolving.  Picked up some prescriptions for someone who doesn't drive (or own a car) and was in too much pain to ride along.  Picked up a few items at the Wally World for our own use.  Did some laundry.  Working on the dishwasher, we've had a part break inside, so tomorrow it's off to the appliance repair shop to buy a replacement.  Did dishes by hand in the interim, which doesn't bother me all that much:  did it that way most of my life.  Patted a couple of Dear Wife's cats (she has three, all attention hogs and very jealous of each other).  Some other odds and ends around.  Prepping for the lessons Sunday morning and the following.  On the phone with a couple of executive recruiters (a.k.a. "headhunters") who are suddenly interested in me for jobs paying in the high $80's, something I could have used three months ago.  But this move has taken on a momentum of its own.  So we shall see.  After the move, I'll be lucky to find a part-time job bagging groceries at minimum wage, but we shall see.  Oh, and call for Dear Wife, notifying her of yet another doctor exam required as part of her ongoing application for Disability.  She's already adjudged legally blind, among other issues.  But no award yet.  Meanwhile, we have people in this town deliberately contracting HIV in order to be awarded a platter of benefits such that they never again need to work.  Doesn't seem right, somehow.  Not too bitter, am I?

The morning's reading is verses 49-104 of Psalm 119.  I am not Hebrew-literate.  I have been told that this Psalm is, in Hebrew, a form such that the various sections have verses all beginning with the same Hebrew letter.  In a couple of my Bibles, and perhaps yours, you'll see these identified.  So one section will be listed as aleph, another gimel and so forth.  Not a form often used in English, but interesting.

Psalm 119:49-104

49	Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50	This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51	The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52	I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53	Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54	Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55	I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56	This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57	Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58	I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59	I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60	I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61	The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62	At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63	I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64	The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65	Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66	Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67	Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68	Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69	The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70	Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71	It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72	The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73	Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74	They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75	I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76	Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77	Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78	Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79	Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80	Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81	My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82	Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83	For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84	How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85	The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86	All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87	They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88	Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89	For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90	Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91	They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92	Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93	I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94	I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
95	The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96	I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97	O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98	Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99	I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100	I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101	I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102	I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103	How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104	Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

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The evening reading is chapter 4 in 1st Corinthians.  Paul is giving instruction in living the Christian life as well as being the church.  I would be nervous about verse 16, but it's a legitimate calling for ALL believers.  A high standard, true, and one I don't do well.  But that is no excuse.

I Corinthians 4

1	Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2	Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3	But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4	For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5	Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6	And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7	For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8	Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9	For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10	We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11	Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12	And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13	Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14	I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15	For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16	Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17	For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18	Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19	But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20	For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21	What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 21 August 2013

G'morning.  We'll try to do this right today, just to see what that looks like.  Maybe.

The morning's Old Testament reading is Psalm 119, verses 1-48.  This is, by far, the longest of all of the Psalms.  We'll be here for several days.

Psalm 119:1-48 

1	Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2	Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3	They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4	Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5	O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6	Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7	I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8	I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9	Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10	With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11	Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12	Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13	With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14	I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15	I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16	I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17	Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18	Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19	I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20	My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21	Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22	Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23	Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24	Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
25	My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26	I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27	Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28	My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29	Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30	I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31	I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32	I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33	Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34	Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35	Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36	Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37	Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38	Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39	Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40	Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41	Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42	So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43	And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44	So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45	And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46	I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47	And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48	My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

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The evening's reading, from the New Testament, has us in 1st Corinthians, chapter 3.  As you see, factionalism is not a new thing, it had already begun even in the earliest days.  Sadly, it continues unabated even today.  I grew up in an Anabaptist denomination that regards itself as a "peace" church, yet fighting over matters great and (to most observers) small, is no less prevalent nor vicious for all of that.  There is something to be said for standing on essential principles, but I don't think Christ is honored in much of this.  Either now, or in the time of the early Church.  Don't think Paul thought so either.

I Corinthians 3

1	And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2	I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3	For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4	For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5	Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6	I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7	So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8	Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9	For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10	According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11	For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12	Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13	Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14	If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15	If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16	Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17	If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18	Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19	For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20	And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21	Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22	Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23	And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Another day is here and, sorry, is about half over.  Have not really set in the new schedule.  The chance to sleep REAL late has been hard to resist, but at the same time there's stuff to be done.  I have not got this down real well, yet.  Bear with us, it's all a bit new.

The day's Old Testament passage is Psalms 116, 117, 118.  Back when I was a kid, back in The Dark Ages, we were required to memorize Scripture.  Psalm 117 was a perennial favorite, being only two verses long.  But I still remember it, and it's been a treasure to me more than once.  Lots to be said for "They Word have I hid in my heart" approaches.  Builds something of a foundation.

Psalm 116

1	I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2	Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3	The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4	Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5	Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6	The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7	Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8	For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9	I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10	I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11	I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12	What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13	I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14	I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15	Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16	O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17	I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18	I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
19	In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 117  

1	O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2	For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 118  

1	O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2	Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3	Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4	Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5	I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6	The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7	The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8	It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9	It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10	All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11	They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12	They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13	Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14	The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15	The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16	The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17	I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18	The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19	Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20	This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21	I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22	The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23	This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24	This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25	Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26	Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27	God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28	Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29	O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

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The New Testament reading is chapter 2 of 1st Corinthians.  A letter from Paul to a young church.  Valuable for us as well.

I Corinthians 2 

1	And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2	For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3	And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4	And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5	That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6	Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7	But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8	Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9	But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10	But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11	For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12	Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13	Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14	But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15	But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16	For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 19 August 2013

So now a new week begins with Monday.  Going to go down and get some boxes to pack into this morning (or at least that is the plan).  Putting my final paycheck into the bank, for some reason the last one has to be a "live" check rather than the normal direct deposit.  Whatever.  Never been through this before, and it's all a new thing to me.  Probably going to be a good 4-5 weeks before we actually relocate, but we're having to deal in part with the large amounts of "stuff" that our daughters left behind when the got married and moved out.  Don't want to throw out the stuff of memories, and separating out the wheat and the chaff takes time. 

The Old Testament passages for the day continue in the Psalms, with Psalms 112, 113, 114, 115.  For reasons of my own, Psalm 115 is a favorite.  Perhaps for you as well.

Psalm 112  

1	Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2	His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3	Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4	Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5	A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6	Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7	He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
8	His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9	He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10	The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 113  

1	Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2	Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3	From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
4	The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5	Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6	Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7	He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8	That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9	He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 114  

1	When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2	Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3	The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4	The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5	What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6	Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7	Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8	Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Psalm 115 

1	Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2	Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3	But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4	Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5	They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6	They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7	They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8	They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9	O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10	O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11	Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12	The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13	He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14	The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15	Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16	The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17	The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18	But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

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The New Testament passage is that start of I Corinthians, all of chapter 1.

I Corinthians 1  

1	Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2	Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
3	Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4	I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5	That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6	Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7	So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8	Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9	God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10	Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11	For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12	Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13	Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14	I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15	Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16	And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17	For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18	For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19	For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20	Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21	For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22	For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23	But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24	But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25	Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26	For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27	But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28	And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29	That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30	But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31	That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 18 August 2013

Happy Sunday to all.  Raining here again - still.

Short shrift, sorry.

Psalms 109-111

Psalm 109  

1	Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2	For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
3	They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
4	For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
5	And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6	Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
7	When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
8	Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
9	Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
10	Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
11	Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
12	Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
13	Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14	Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15	Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16	Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
17	As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18	As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
19	Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20	Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
21	But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
22	For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23	I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
24	My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
25	I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
26	Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
27	That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
28	Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
29	Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
30	I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
31	For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Psalm 110  

1	The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2	The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3	Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4	The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5	The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6	He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7	He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Psalm 111

1	Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2	The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3	His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4	He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5	He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6	He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7	The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8	They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9	He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

and Romans 16, completing this work

Romans 16 

1	I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2	That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3	Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4	Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5	Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6	Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7	Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8	Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9	Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10	Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11	Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12	Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13	Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14	Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15	Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16	Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17	Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18	For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19	For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20	And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21	Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22	I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23	Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25	Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26	But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27	To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.