Today's Reading August 04

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

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

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

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

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

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

or

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

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

Today's Reading August 03

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading August 02

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading August 01

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

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 31

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

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

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

The Book of Romans

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

Today's Reading July 30

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

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 29

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

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 28

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 27

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

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

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

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

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

and so it was.

Re all the traveling

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

Today's Reading July 26

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 25

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

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

One of my particular favorites comes from Psalm 46,

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

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

Today's Reading July 24

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 23

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 22

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

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

and

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

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

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

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

Which is certainly wise.

Today's Reading July 21

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 20

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

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

and

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

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

and all of Psalm 32

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

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

Today's Reading July 19

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

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

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

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

later -- updated for July 18th

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

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

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

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

Today's Reading July 17

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

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

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

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

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