Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday. 31 August 2017 very slightly modified

VERY late today on this.  I woke up this morning with quite a lot in mind, and some things that I wanted to say, but they just were not quite "there".  During the day, they -- these things -- drew off and left me hanging.  Perhaps a wiser person would have a better handle on things, and perhaps these things just aren't quite "ripe" yet.  Not certain.

We stayed around the house today, she's apparently into a "flare", the accepted term in the field for when one's autoimmune disease(s) pop up and make themselves more known than at other times.  I'd feared what was going on was a recurrence of the nasty sinus-infection-verging-on-pneumonia that she'd just come out of, but she believes it's a lupus flare.  She wants to try to restart her weekly Humira injections tomorrow, so we shall see.

As a few people know, while I was born not too far from where I'm sitting now, I never ever felt it to be "home" in the way that normal people apparently do. I may be colorblind in that spectrum or it may be one of my numerous character defects / weirdnesses.  Don't know.  While I lived a few hundred miles from here in my very early 20's, I didn't really care for that place either.  So when circumstances combined to take us -- me and the family -- far out of the area for 22 years, I felt better.  And, for about the first time in my life, I felt happy about where I was.  When circumstances combined to bring us back to the general area, that left.

And yet .....  as I told our church back there when they had a bit of a going-away service for us, I felt that the move here was not a retreat, but an advance on where we were supposed to be.  Not a retreat in defeat.  I have occasionally lost a bit of that attitude and determination, but it is still there.  The Lord knows full well where we are, and I am convinced that this is part of His plan and will.  Yes, it can be very comforting to be living in the "Bible Belt" regions of the country, which is by no means descriptive of where we now reside.  Anything but, though there are parts of the country where that is even less the case.  But if we were still there, to a great extent we'd simply be lolling around, enjoying the fruits of other people's efforts at outreach and evangelism.  And, most likely, not contributing very much to the advance of the Kingdom.  It's taking me a while, too long really, to even begin to understand that.
I don't know, yet, what I am supposed to be doing in that effort.  I am not a particularly pastoral person, though while in the role I did try to carry out the duties of a deacon.  I am not a evangelist type, never have been.  So I'm not sure what the role and responsibilities are for me.  But I believe firmly that the Lord has something in mind, He never makes mistakes.
The first step is to commit fully to follow His lead and will.  That is a lot like signing a blank check, something that most of us are understandably reluctant to do, having been let down by those humans we once thought trustworthy.  And, yes, following Him can be an adventure.  The history is pretty clear on that at least.
So we shall see.  Lots of inward gazing right now.

And we are winding down the last hours of August.  Lord willing, in a few hours we will have entered into the month of September.  There are those who love Autumn.  I am not one of them, and have never been.  Living in the deep South, it wasn't so bad, because the Winter season following was also not so bad.  Here, particularly given the predictions of the bitterly cold and severe winter season advancing on us, it's bad.  REAL bad.  Too bad Global Warming is utter nonsense, one of history's biggest frauds and lies.  Hard to be charitable about it when the temperature is -15°F, the water pipes are frozen, the door may be frozen shut (we had that a few times the winter before last), and the gas and electric companies are threatening to turn the services off for non-payment.  Which we've gotten VERY close to several times.
So that is also on my mind.  Shouldn't be, probably, but it is.

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The Old Testament reading for the day (and, again, sorry for the late hour) is Psalms 145. 146., and 147.  (Incidentally, tomorrow is schedule to be the final episode in the year's passage through the Psalms)

Psalm 145

1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. 7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 146

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: 7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: 8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: 9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. 10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 147

1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

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The New Testament passage is verses 1-15 of chapter 11 of 1st Corinthians.
Paul makes a statement in verse 1 that I would fear to make.  And yet ...  if people want to know what Jesus is like, they should be able to look at us and  to see Him.  That's rather scary, and I know that I fall far short on that.  Yet that is our "reasonable service".
Much of the rest of this is also tricky.  I can't remember the last time that I hear sermons and lessons on these subjects.  Land mines and quicksand there.


I Corinthians 11:1-15

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 02 April 2016

Happy Saturday

Another gray and windy day.  A week ago, we saw temps in the high 60's, even a brief foray above the 70 degree mark.  Very nice!  I went around stripping the plastic film from the inside of many of our hovel's windows and opened some of the windows to let the cavern's accumulated odors waft out.

That was last week.  Been some changes since, and not positive ones in my view.  We are experiencing a late-season "polar vortex".  I am told that there are predictions of nightly temperatures as low as 13 degrees, with a good chance of SNOW tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday, with highs over the next 10 days to not be above 50 or so, and a few "highs" in the 30's.  Yuck!!!

Dear Wife has been awful sick for the last 2 weeks.  In addition to all of her other ailments, she suffers a problem in the inner ear called Menier's Disease.  Among other things, it makes it difficult to know whether you are vertical or not, and makes the sufferer quite dizzy.  Think about going about 24 hours a day like you were on a vigorous carnival ride.  No fun, right?  So I often have to walk beside or behind her and provide guidance and balance.  Oh, and it means she's in danger of throwing up about all the time.  Which is also no fun whatever.  In conjunction with the chronic ulcerative colitis, she's constantly worried about either diarrhea, or vomiting, or both at once.  Which has happened.
But we try to keep it in perspective.  The daughter of some old friends (divorced now, and mom's had 3 husbands since, all gone) is in a "terminal" medical state.  We did not expect her to survive to last year's Thanksgiving Day point, and certainly not to the Easter just passed.  She's in the hospital now, again, and there is no word on her condition in the last two days. 
So we try to keep things in perspective.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 8 and 9 of the book of the Judges.  More on the account of Gideon and the aftermath.  Not good.

Judges 8

1	And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
2	And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3	God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
4	And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
5	And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
6	And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
7	And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
8	And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
9	And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
10	Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
11	And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.
12	And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
13	And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
14	And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
15	And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
16	And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
17	And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
18	Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
19	And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
20	And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
21	Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.
22	Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
23	And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
24	And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
25	And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
26	And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.
27	And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
28	Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
29	And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
30	And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
31	And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
32	And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33	And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.
34	And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
35	Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel.

Judges 9 

1	And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
2	Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3	And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4	And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
5	And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6	And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7	And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8	The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9	But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
10	And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
11	But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12	Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13	And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
14	Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
15	And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16	Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
17	(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
18	And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
19	If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
20	But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
21	And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
22	When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
23	Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
24	That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
25	And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
26	And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27	And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
28	And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
29	And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
30	And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31	And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
32	Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
33	And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
34	And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
35	And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
36	And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
37	And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
38	Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
39	And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
40	And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
41	And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
42	And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
43	And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
44	And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
45	And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46	And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
47	And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48	And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
49	And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50	Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51	But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
52	And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53	And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
54	Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55	And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
56	Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
57	And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

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The New Testament reading is verses 22-56 in Luke 8.

Luke 8:22-56 

22	Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23	But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24	And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25	And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
26	And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27	And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28	When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29	(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30	And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31	And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
32	And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
33	Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34	When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
35	Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36	They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
37	Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
38	Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39	Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
40	And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
41	And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
42	For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
43	And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44	Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45	And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46	And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
47	And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48	And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
49	While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50	But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
51	And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
52	And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
53	And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54	And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
55	And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
56	And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Tuesday's Readings and Stuff --- Tuesday. 29 March 2016

A delayed posting, I'd intended to accomplish this about 13 hours ago.  But life got in the way as things sometimes go. 
I rolled out around 07:00, did my morning reading and prayer time.  When I fired up the desktop, I got diverted by a few e-mails from the church, a number of urgent prayer requests from shortly before midnight, a time I was already in bed.  So I did my role there. 
Then spent effort and time making Dear Wife comfortable and made her some coffee and breakfast.  Cats were already fed -- the 05:00 breakfast was honored.  But then I had some other odds and ends to deal with, one being getting her weekly "biologic" ready for injection: the medicine is supplied packed in ice and refrigerated upon delivery, until about half an hour before the injection is administered (in order to -- briefly -- attain room temperature). 
Cleaned up after that, then went out to meet the mail carrier who had a package for us.  New, empty, sharps container (for the needles, etc. that administer that "biologic"), with all the package stuff to send the old, VERY full one back.  So we swapped them out, and put the full one (containing today's needle) in the package for return.  And I walked it down to the post office a few blocks away.  Box has "biohazard" labels on it, which caused some attention down there, the clerk told me it was the first such she had ever seen.  But we got that handled and it's on the way to its destination for whatever they do with it.
Came home and got stuff out of freezer to make lunch.  We did all that, then dealt with a few other issues and I spent time massaging her wounded areas to help healing and provide a bit of comfort, or at least slightly changed pain levels.  Had lunch, cleaned up.  Put some laundry away, did cat pans, some other stuff.
She wanted to nap on recliner, and did, so I couldn't do much lest the noise disturb her, so I kicked back too.  Too chilly outside to do much there and I am reluctant to leave her unattended, particularly when her vasculitis is at a high level.  That's one of those things that could suddenly kill her, and probably will eventually. 
Made dinner, ate, put away leftovers, and cleaned up somewhat.  And I just washed (by hand) the dishes.  She's resting up from dinner, while I'm doing this.  In a little bit, about an hour, she wants to cut my hair.  I haven't been inside a barber shop since 2003, the money saved has been important to us many times.  If/when the day comes she can no longer do this (and I'm more than a month overdue now), I'll do the "do it myself" routine, meaning I put the smallest "comb" on the clippers and go over it all to the same length.  Can't complain:  my dad was nearly bald, except for some fine fuzz here and there, when he was 25 years younger than I am now.  I guess that if I just shaved my head, there'd be a similar effect.  By then, it may be considered stylish, not that I really care.

Such is my life these days.  Not sure I'm carrying out my mission, but this seems to be part of that mission.

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The Old Testament reading today is chapters 23 and 24 of Joshua, completing it.  Joshua has always struck me as being one of those who the Lord greets with a "Well done, good and faithful servant!".  Not so bad, better than I deserve.

Joshua 23 

1	And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.
2	And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
3	And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.
4	Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5	And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
6	Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7	That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
8	But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
9	For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
10	One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
11	Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
12	Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
13	Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
14	And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
15	Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
16	When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

Joshua 24 

1	And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
2	And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
3	And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
4	And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
5	I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.
6	And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.
7	And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.
8	And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
9	Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
10	But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
11	And you went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
12	And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
13	And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.
14	Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15	And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
16	And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
17	For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
18	And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.
19	And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20	If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21	And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.
22	And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
23	Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
24	And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
25	So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
26	And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.
27	And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
28	So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
29	And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
30	And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.
31	And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
32	And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
33	And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

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The New Testament reading is verses 27-49 of Luke chapter 6.

Luke 6:27-49

27	But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28	Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29	And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30	Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31	And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32	For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33	And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34	And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35	But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36	Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37	Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38	Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
39	And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40	The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41	And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42	Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43	For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44	For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45	A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46	And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47	Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48	He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49	But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 16 January 2016

Happy Saturday, all.
Snow here, 30 degrees and falling.  Tonight's low predicted to hit 23, which is roughly tomorrow's predicted "high".  With lows for the next three days in single digits, and the next chance to hit above the freezing mark to be a week from today.  But at least no predicted sub-zero temps.  And we are now more than half-way through January, with the first official day of Spring about 60-odd days from now.  Little by little we hope to get through it.  Yes, I hate Winter and cold.

Wife is able to move around a little bit today, which is a GREAT improvement.  I've been extremely worried about her health condition(s), which are rarely good.  Lupus is no fun whatsoever.  We are getting into "that age" where we are increasingly aware that we're much closer to the finish line than the start of this race.  Could end today, or go another 30 years.  I presume that our continued presence here means the Lord isn't done with us, and still has some purpose, even if it is only to serve as a horrible example.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 38, 39, and 40 of the Genesis.
Isaac's family situation is getting awful.  Joseph is a slave in Egypt.  And Judah, his son, the founder of the tribe of Judah which we'll be seeing through most of the rest of the Bible, is off the deep end.

Genesis 38 

1	And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
2	And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.
3	And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
4	And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
5	And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
6	And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
7	And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
8	And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
9	And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
10	And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
11	Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
12	And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13	And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.
14	And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.
15	When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
16	And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?
17	And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?
18	And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
19	And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
20	And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.
21	Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.
22	And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.
23	And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
24	And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
25	When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
26	And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
27	And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
28	And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
29	And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
30	And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

Genesis 39 

1	And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither.
2	And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3	And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4	And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5	And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6	And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored.
7	And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8	But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9	There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10	And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11	And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12	And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13	And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14	That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
15	And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
16	And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
17	And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18	And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19	And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
20	And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
21	But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22	And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23	The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Genesis 40 

1	And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
2	And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
3	And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
4	And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
5	And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
6	And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
7	And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?
8	And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
9	And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
10	And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
11	And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
12	And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
13	Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14	But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
15	For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16	When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
17	And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18	And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
19	Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
20	And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
21	And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
22	But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23	Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

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The New Testament reading is verses 22-50 in Matthew chapter 12

Matthew 12:22-50

22	Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23	And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24	But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25	And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26	And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27	And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28	But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29	Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30	He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
31	Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32	And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
33	Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34	O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35	A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36	But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37	For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
38	Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39	But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40	For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41	The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42	The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
43	When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44	Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45	Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
46	While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47	Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48	But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49	And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50	For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.