Today's Readings --- 26 August 2010

Sorry for how disjointed things have been here lately, and today will be little better.
We're going through some things here. The Lord is good, all the time, but the circumstances are not always so good. Then again, as I told someone recently, blessings don't always feel like blessings at the time. I've been through that, several times. This may be another such.

This morning, Psalms 128 - 131

Psalm 128

1	Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2	For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3	Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4	Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5	The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6	Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalm 129

1	Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2	Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3	The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4	The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5	Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6	Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7	Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8	Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Psalm 130

1	Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2	Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3	If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4	But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5	I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6	My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7	Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8	And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 131

1	Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2	Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3	Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

This evening, 1st Corinthians 7, verses 25-40

I Corinthians 7:25-40

25	Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26	I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27	Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28	But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29	But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30	And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31	And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32	But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33	But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34	There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35	And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36	But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37	Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38	So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39	The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40	But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Today's Readings -- 23 August 2010

We've been on hiatus here for the last week. Had the DSL modem bite the dust over the last weekend and, what with one thing and another going wrong at the same time, did not get it reported, replaced, installed, and going until this weekend. At which time other events overtook us, and things are just now, perhaps, getting back to something like normalcy. This has been quite a year, and it is not over yet.

This morning's read is verses 105-176 of Psalm 119. This is the longest Psalm, indeed the longest chapter, in all the Bible, and is based on an acrostic in Hebrew. You are free to read it in the Hebrew should you so desire, and if your talents extend there.

Psalm 119:105-176

105	Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106	I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107	I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108	Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109	My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110	The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111	Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112	I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113	I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114	Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115	Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116	Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117	Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118	Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119	Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120	My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121	I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122	Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123	Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124	Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125	I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126	It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127	Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128	Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129	Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130	The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131	I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132	Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133	Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134	Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135	Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136	Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137	Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138	Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139	My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140	Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141	I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142	Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143	Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144	The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145	I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146	I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147	I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148	Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149	Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150	They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151	Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152	Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153	Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154	Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155	Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156	Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157	Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158	I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159	Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160	Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161	Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162	I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163	I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164	Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165	Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166	LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167	My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168	I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169	Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170	Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171	My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172	My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173	Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174	I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175	Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176	I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

This evening, 1st Corinthians 5.

I Corinthians 5

1	It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2	And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3	For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4	In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5	To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6	Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7	Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8	Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9	I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10	Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11	But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12	For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13	But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

quick note

we've been off the net for a few days due to a equipment failure and are just now getting back on stream. will start to play catch up later

Today's Readings -- 16 August 2010

I see by the calendar that we are now just passing the half way point of the month of August, meaning that September is nearing. When I was a kid, half an age ago in eastern Ohio, school started the day after Labor Day in early September. Here, the kids started last week. Either way, it means that in some ways Summer is over. And yes, I know that does not officially happen for more than a month yet, and yes, I know that temperatures here remain in the mid-90's this week. But the 3rd quarter of the year is half over, and I have few high points to be proud of. Not a good feeling.
And yet ....
Had something interesting happen yesterday. As some know, I am deeply privileged to lead a Bible study group on Sunday mornings. It is in many ways the high point of my week. We were in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5. I was really emphasizing to the group the importance of verse 17, "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation....", the transforming work of the Lord. It's a matter of great import. OK. Then class ends, and we are in the sanctuary, and Pastor Josh is preaching from Romans 12:1, 2 -- and what is he emphasizing? Transformation. Interesting, huh? He didn't know what I'd be teaching, and I didn't know what he'd be preaching. Matter of fact, he told me when I talked to him that he hadn't known that would be the topic until just a day or so before, he'd actually been planning something quite different.


This morning's reading is Psalms 105 and 106

Psalm 105

1	O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2	Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3	Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
4	Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5	Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6	O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7	He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8	He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9	Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10	And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
11	Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
12	When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13	When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14	He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15	Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
16	Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17	He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18	Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19	Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
20	The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21	He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22	To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23	Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24	And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25	He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
26	He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27	They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28	He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
29	He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
30	Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
31	He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
32	He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33	He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
34	He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
35	And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36	He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
37	He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38	Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
39	He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
40	The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41	He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
42	For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43	And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44	And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
45	That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 106

1	Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2	Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
3	Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
4	Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
5	That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
6	We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7	Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8	Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
9	He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
10	And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11	And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
12	Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
13	They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
14	But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
15	And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
16	They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
17	The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.
18	And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
19	They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
20	Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
21	They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
22	Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
23	Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
24	Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
25	But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
26	Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
27	To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
28	They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29	Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
30	Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
31	And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
32	They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
33	Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
34	They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
35	But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
36	And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
37	Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
38	And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
39	Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
40	Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
41	And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
42	Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43	Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
44	Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
45	And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
46	He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
47	Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
48	Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

This evening, verses 1-20 of Romans 15

Romans 15:1-20

1	We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2	Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3	For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4	For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5	Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6	That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7	Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8	Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9	And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10	And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11	And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12	And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13	Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14	And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15	Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16	That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17	I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18	For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19	Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20	Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Today's Readings -- 15 August 2010

The Lord's Day. I've needed this all week, and perhaps you have as well.
This has not been, by objective standards, a bad week. Been worse ones, often. Yet it has left me feeling hollow and dry inside. Happens when you try to plod through on your own power alone. Can't do it, at least not for long, and not to good effect. While we made it through, sort of, it would take a great amount of self delusion to to think we accomplished more than bare survival. If nothing else, I believe that the Lord has us placed for more than that.

This morning's reading is Psalms 103 and 104. Psalm 103 is another of those old friends, one of those that, when I turn to it, find it expresses what I wish I had said myself, and does it better. "Bless the Lord, oh my soul".

Psalm 103

1	Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2	Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3	Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4	Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5	Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6	The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7	He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8	The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9	He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10	He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11	For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12	As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13	Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14	For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15	As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16	For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17	But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18	To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19	The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20	Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21	Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22	Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 104

1	Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2	Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3	Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4	Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5	Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
6	Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7	At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8	They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
9	Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10	He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11	They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12	By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13	He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14	He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15	And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
16	The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17	Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18	The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19	He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20	Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21	The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22	The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23	Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24	O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25	So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26	There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27	These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28	That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29	Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30	Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31	The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32	He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33	I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34	My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35	Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

This evening, Romans 14. Been involved in church disputes? I have, I grew up in a denomination famous for them. It is, in part, why I walked away so many years ago. And was not alone in that. It took many years for me to realize that walking away from a disputatious situation is one thing, using that to run away from the Lord is another matter entirely. He never gave up on me, for which I am eternally grateful. But such things are found throughout the world and are not useful for building the Body.

Romans 14

1	Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2	For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3	Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4	Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5	One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6	He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7	For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8	For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9	For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10	But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11	For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12	So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13	Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14	I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15	But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16	Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17	For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18	For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19	Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20	For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21	It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22	Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23	And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.