Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 31 August 2020

😔😒

Today is the last day of August.  In just a few hours, we will -- Lord willing of course -- entered into the season of the -brrrs.  That will only be relieved by the at-least-as-bad season of the -ary's.  Ick!!

But, whatever.

Wife has developed an ominous rash on her legs, one that is usually indicative of vasculitis, an inflammation in the blood vessels there.  Not a good thing, not at all.  She called the doctor this afternoon when it was noticed.  Too late to get in, and with her autoimmune disease issues, they're worried about her being in a medical office where she might contract something from other patients.  So they're planning an "e-visit" with the doc for the morning.  Hope to know more then.

My daily itinerary already included a trip to the pharmacy to pick up one of her "normal" drug refills.  Glad for the insurance:  the med after co-pay was "only" $15.03.  Normally, the "cash price" for it would have been around $28.  But now, that "cash price", meaning no insurance, etc. is up to around $128!  For the same dosage of the same chemical.  We've been stuck in that no insurance canyon before, it's not fun.  Not fun watching your wife take a pill cutter to cut the pills that keep her alive in half, trying to extend the supply until Better Times come.  We've been there.  Blessed to be past that, at least for now.  Tomorrow may be another situation, we never know.

But we're blessed, no matter what.  Our 32nd wedding anniversary is in just 10 days or so.  Neither of us thought there would be someone, but the Lord had other plans, and He has been so very good to us, no matter what.

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Isaiah 1, 2

ISAIAH 1

1The vision  concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah  son of Amoz saw during the reigns   of Uzziah,  Jotham,  Ahaz,  and Hezekiah,  kings of Judah. 

Judah on Trial

2Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, 

for the Lord has spoken:

“I have raised children  and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against Me. 

3The ox knows its owner,

and the donkey its master’s feeding trough,

but Israel does not know;

My people do not understand.” 

4Oh sinful nation,

people weighed down with iniquity, 

brood of evildoers, 

depraved children! 

They have abandoned  the Lord;

they have despised  the Holy One of Israel; 

they have turned their backs on Him.

5Why do you want more beatings?

Why do you keep on rebelling?

The whole head is hurt,

and the whole heart is sick.

6From the sole of the foot even to the head, 

no spot is uninjured  —

wounds, welts, and festering sores

not cleansed, bandaged,

or soothed with oil.

7Your land is desolate,

your cities burned with fire; 

foreigners devour your fields

before your very eyes —

a desolation demolished by foreigners.

8Daughter Zion  is abandoned

like a shelter in a vineyard,

like a shack in a cucumber field,

like a besieged city.

9If the Lord of Hosts 

had not left us a few survivors, 

we would be like Sodom,

we would resemble Gomorrah. 

10Hear the word of the Lord, 

you rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God,

you people of Gomorrah! 

11“What are all your sacrifices to Me? ”

asks the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams

and the fat of well-fed cattle;

I have no desire for the blood of bulls,

lambs, or male goats. 

12When you come to appear before Me,

who requires this from you —

this trampling of My courts?

13Stop bringing useless offerings. 

Your incense is detestable to Me.

New Moons and Sabbaths, 

and the calling of solemn assemblies  —

I cannot stand iniquity  with a festival.

14I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.

They have become a burden to Me;

I am tired of putting up with them.

15When you lift up your hands in prayer, 

I will refuse to look at you;

even if you offer countless prayers,

I will not listen. 

Your hands are covered with blood. 

Purification of Jerusalem

16“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. 

Remove your evil deeds from My sight.

Stop doing evil. 

17Learn to do what is good.

Seek justice. 

Correct the oppressor. 

Defend the rights of the fatherless.

Plead the widow’s cause.

18“Come, let us discuss this,” 

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they will be as white as snow; 

though they are as red as crimson,

they will be like wool.

19If you are willing and obedient,

you will eat the good things of the land. 

20But if you refuse and rebel,

you will be devoured by the sword.” 

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 

21The faithful city —

what an adulteress  she has become!

She was once full of justice.

Righteousness once dwelt in her —

but now, murderers!

22Your silver has become dross, 

your beer  is diluted with water.

23Your rulers are rebels,

friends of thieves. 

They all love graft

and chase after bribes. 

They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,

and the widow’s case never comes before them. 

24Therefore the Lord God of Hosts,

the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

“Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes;

I will take revenge against My enemies. 

25I will turn My hand against you 

and will burn away your dross  completely; 

I will remove all your impurities. 

26I will restore your judges  to what they once were, 

and your advisers to their former state. 

Afterward you will be called the Righteous City, 

a Faithful City.”

27Zion will be redeemed by justice,

her repentant ones by righteousness. 

28But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed,

and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

29Indeed, they  will be ashamed of the sacred trees

you desired, 

and you will be embarrassed because of the gardens

you have chosen. 

30For you will become like an oak

whose leaves are withered,

and like a garden without water. 

31The strong one will become tinder,

and his work a spark;

both will burn together, 

with no one to quench the flames. 

ISAIAH 2

The City of Peace

1The vision that Isaiah  son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2In  the last days 

the mountain of the Lord’s house  will be established

at the top of the mountains

and will be raised above the hills.

All nations will stream to it, 

3and many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob. 

He will teach us about His ways

so that we may walk in His paths.”

For instruction will go out of Zion

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4He will settle disputes among the nations

and provide arbitration for many peoples.

They will turn their swords into plows

and their spears into pruning knives. 

Nations will not take up the sword against other nations,

and they will never again train for war. 

The Day of the Lord

5House of Jacob,

come and let us walk in the Lord’s light. 

6For You have abandoned  Your people,

the house of Jacob,

because they are full of divination from the East

and of fortune-tellers  like the Philistines. 

They are in league  with foreigners.

7Their   land is full of silver and gold,

and there is no limit to their treasures;

their land is full of horses,

and there is no limit to their chariots. 

8Their land is full of idols; 

they bow down to the work of their hands,

to what their fingers have made. 

9So humanity is brought low,

and man is humbled.

Do not forgive them! 

10Go into the rocks 

and hide in the dust

from the terror of the Lord 

and from His majestic splendor. 

11Human pride  will be humbled, 

and the loftiness of men will be brought low;

the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.

12For a day belonging to the Lord of Hosts is coming

against all that is proud and lofty, 

against all that is lifted up — it will be humbled —

13against all the cedars of Lebanon, 

lofty and lifted up,

against all the oaks of Bashan, 

14against all the high mountains, 

against all the lofty hills,

15against every high tower, 

against every fortified wall,

16against every ship of Tarshish, 

and against every splendid sea vessel.

17So human pride will be brought low,

and the loftiness of men will be humbled;

the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. 

18The idols will vanish completely.

19People will go into caves in the rocks 

and holes in the ground,

away from the terror of the Lord

and from His majestic splendor,

when He rises to terrify the earth. 

20On that day people will throw

their silver and gold idols, 

which they made to worship,

to the moles and the bats.

21They will go into the caves of the rocks

and the crevices in the cliffs,

away from the terror of the Lord

and from His majestic splendor, 

when He rises to terrify the earth.

22Put no more trust in man,

who has only the breath in his nostrils. 

What is he really worth?

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Proverbs 3

PROVERBS 3

Trust the Lord

1My son, don’t forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commands; 

2for they will bring you

many days, a full life,   and well-being. 

3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

4Then you will find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man. 

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and do not rely on your own understanding; 

6think about Him in all your ways,

and He will guide you on the right paths.  

7Don’t consider yourself to be wise; 

fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 

8This will be healing for your body  

and strengthening for your bones. 

9Honor the Lord with your possessions

and with the first produce of your entire harvest; 

10then your barns will be completely filled,

and your vats will overflow with new wine. 

11Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,

and do not loathe His discipline; 

12for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,

just as a father, the son he delights in. 

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13Happy is a man who finds wisdom 

and who acquires understanding,

14for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold. 

15She is more precious than jewels; 

nothing you desire compares with her. 

16Long life  is in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor. 

17Her ways are pleasant, 

and all her paths, peaceful.

18She is a tree of life  to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

19The Lord founded the earth by wisdom 

and established the heavens by understanding.

20By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, 

and the clouds dripped with dew. 

21Maintain your competence and discretion.

My son, don’t lose sight of them. 

22They will be life for you   

and adornment  for your neck.

23Then you will go safely on your way;

your foot will not stumble. 

24When you lie  down, you will not be afraid; 

you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25Don’t fear sudden danger

or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, 

26for the Lord will be your confidence 

and will keep your foot from a snare. 

Treat Others Fairly

27When it is in your power, 

don’t withhold good  from the one it belongs to.

28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.

I’ll give it tomorrow” — when it is there with you. 

29Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, 

for he trusts you and lives near you.

30Don’t accuse anyone without cause, 

when he has done you no harm.

31Don’t envy a violent man 

or choose any of his ways;

32for the devious are detestable to the Lord,

but He is a friend  to the upright. 

33The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, 

but He blesses the home of the righteous;

34He mocks those who mock,

but gives grace to the humble. 

35The wise will inherit honor,

but He holds up fools to dishonor. 

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EPHESIANS 6

Children and Parents

1Children, obey  your parents as you would the Lord,  because this is right. 2Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment  with a promise, 3so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.    4Fathers, don’t stir up anger  in your children, but bring them up in the training  and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your human  masters  with fear and trembling,  in the sincerity  of your heart, as to Christ. 6Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will  from your heart.  7Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men,  8knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening  them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism  with Him. 

Christian Warfare

10Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.  11Put on  the full armor  of God so that you can stand against the tactics  of the Devil. 12For our battle is not against flesh  and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil  in the heavens.  13This is why you must take up the full armor  of God, so that you may be able to resist  in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14Stand,  therefore,

with truth  like a belt around your waist,

righteousness  like armor on your chest, 

15and your feet sandaled with readiness

for the gospel of peace. 

16In every situation take the shield  of faith, 

and with it you will be able to extinguish

all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17Take the helmet  of salvation,

and the sword  of the Spirit, 

which is God’s word.

18Pray  at all times in the Spirit  with every prayer and request, and stay alert  in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness  the mystery of the gospel. 20For this I am an ambassador  in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21Tychicus,  our dearly loved brother and faithful servant  in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage  your hearts. 

23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father  and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 28 August 2020

 Winding down the month of August.  September, the first of the --brrr! months is only a few days hence.  Not a positive in my own view of things, but whatever.  We've been enduring heavy rain and storms since yesterday.  A fair amount of damage in the region, as well as some power outages that are not fully repaired and at least on electrical surge that caused a small fire.  But our friends along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Lousiana had much worse, and areas in the states to their north and east are being hit with nasty stuff even now.  So I guess the heavy rain isn't so bad, and it's been a pretty dry summer anyway.  It'll do.  

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We're into the last few days in the book of Job.  It's tough reading, in no small part because it resonates with many of us.  Job's wife had recommended that he curse God and die.  That is what he did NOT do.  Ever.  Cry out, sure.  Try to understand, yes.  But he continued to seek the Lord, not to curse nor to reject Him.  To confess that he did not understand.  Most of us like to "judge" the circumstances, and the Lord's provisions, by our own standards.  That's a mistake.  At least a mistake.  But he did not reject God, and the Lord did not reject him.  As we will be seeing in the next few days.

JOB 37

1At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

2Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

4After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

6For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

8Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

10By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

11Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

12And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

13He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

14Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

15Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

16Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

17How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

18Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

19Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

20Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

21And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

22Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.

23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

24Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

JOB 38

1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

17Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

22Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

23Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

26To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

30The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

33Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

37Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

38When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

39Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

40When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

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PROVERBS 2

1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

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EPHESIANS 5

1Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. 2And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us,  a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3But sexual immorality  and any impurity  or greed  should not even be heard of  among you, as is proper for saints. 4Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral  or impure  or greedy  person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom  of the Messiah and of God.

Light versus Darkness

6Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath  is coming on the disobedient because of these things.  7Therefore, do not become their partners. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light  in the Lord. Walk as children of light  — 9for the fruit of the light  results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth  — 10discerning  what is pleasing  to the Lord. 11Don’t participate in the fruitless  works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13Everything exposed by the light is made clear,  14for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper,  and rise up from the dead, 

and the Messiah will shine on you.  

Consistency in the Christian Life

15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — 16making the most of the time,   because the days are evil. 17So don’t be foolish, but understand  what the Lord’s will  is. 18And don’t get drunk  with wine,  which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: 

19speaking to one another

in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,

singing and making music

from your heart to the Lord,

20giving thanks always for everything

to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21submitting to one another

in the fear of Christ. 

Wives and Husbands

22Wives,  submit   to your own husbands  as to the Lord, 23for the husband is the head of the wife  as Christ is the head  of the church. He is the Savior of the body.  24Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives,  just as Christ loved  the church and gave Himself  for her 26to make her holy, cleansing  her with the washing of water by the word. 27He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.  28In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30since we are members of His body. 

31For this reason a man will leave

his father and mother

and be joined to his wife, 

and the two will become one flesh.  

32This mystery  is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.