September 25, 2015

From Gary... Jesus, our FRIEND



Two unlikely friends; a dog and a cat. On occasion, I have seen a dog and a cat tolerate one another, but to actually seek out one another's company- never!!  Why? Well, they are just creatures of different natures. Yet, these two are friends- Amazing!!!  As I looked at the picture, I thought of a parallel; God and us. God is our friend, even though we are radically different from HIM.



Jesus as our friend...




Jesus is the friend of sinners

Matthew, Chapter 11 (WEB)
19  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.  

If we are honest, we will be forced to admit that we are guilty of sin (perhaps multiple sins daily)? Yet, if Jesus could be the friend of people like those above; could he not be our friend? I am of the persuasion that he not only could, but in fact IS OUR FRIEND!!!  And, like the dog in the picture, seeks us out for company. Will we seek HIM out as well?



Jesus tells us what we really need to hear.

Luke, Chapter 12 (WEB)
 1 Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.   2 But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.   3  Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 


  4  “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.   5  But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.


Friends just don't tell you what you want to hear, but what they need to hear.  And this means putting friendship "on the line" for another's good.  And what greater good could there possibly be than to save us from HELL (Gehenna, above)!!! I want a friend like that because I can trust HIM!!! Do you?


Jesus taught a perfect friendship

Matthew, Chapter 5 (WEB)
 43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’  44  But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,   45  that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.   46  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?   47  If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?   48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 

I remember the old ad for the Army- "be the best you can be".  Friends that are worth something always bring out the best in you; always challenge you to be better.  And what could possibly be better than the perfection of the creator of the universe? We can never be as perfect as God, but frankly, I like the idea of reaching out to be what God really wants us to be!!! Perfection, now there is a GOAL!!!

Jesus "walked the walk" of friendship.

John, Chapter 15 (WEB)
 12  “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.   13  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.   14  You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.   15  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.   16  You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

Some people talk a good game, but when it come to "crunch time"- forget IT.  Jesus was our friend until he died and then was still our friend AFTERWARDS!!! Only one of his kind; somebody very special- in fact, PERFECT. Quite a number of people have done kindnesses towards me over the years, but not one of them ever died for me- EXCEPT JESUS.  

Love Jesus because HE is a TRUE FRIEND!!! Face it, in this world, good friends come and go, but friendship with Jesus can last forever. On his part, he will always be our friend, but I wonder- will everyone who reads this be a friend to Jesus??? And Gary- THIS MEANS YOU!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading September 25, 26, 27


Bible Reading  

September 25, 26, 27

The World English Bible


Sept. 25
Psalms 101-104

Psa 101:1 I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.
Psa 101:2 I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.
Psa 101:3 I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.
Psa 101:4 A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil.
Psa 101:5 I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won't tolerate one who is haughty and conceited.
Psa 101:6 My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me.
Psa 101:7 He who practices deceit won't dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won't be established before my eyes.
Psa 101:8 Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land; to cut off all the workers of iniquity from Yahweh's city.
Psa 102:1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.
Psa 102:2 Don't hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
Psa 102:3 For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a firebrand.
Psa 102:4 My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
Psa 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
Psa 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
Psa 102:7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
Psa 102:8 My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
Psa 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
Psa 102:10 Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.
Psa 102:11 My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
Psa 102:12 But you, Yahweh, will abide forever; your renown endures to all generations.
Psa 102:13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
Psa 102:14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
Psa 102:15 So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh; all the kings of the earth your glory.
Psa 102:16 For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
Psa 102:17 He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
Psa 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah.
Psa 102:19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth;
Psa 102:20 to hear the groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;
Psa 102:21 that men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Psa 102:22 when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
Psa 102:23 He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
Psa 102:24 I said, "My God, don't take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
Psa 102:25 Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
Psa 102:26 They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
Psa 102:27 But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
Psa 102:28 The children of your servants will continue. Their seed will be established before you."
Psa 103:1 Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!
Psa 103:2 Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don't forget all his benefits;
Psa 103:3 who forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases;
Psa 103:4 who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies;
Psa 103:5 who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psa 103:6 Yahweh executes righteous acts, and justice for all who are oppressed.
Psa 103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the children of Israel.
Psa 103:8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
Psa 103:9 He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever.
Psa 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.
Psa 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13 Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.
Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. Its place remembers it no more.
Psa 103:17 But Yahweh's loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children's children;
Psa 103:18 to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.
Psa 103:19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.
Psa 103:20 Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.
Psa 103:21 Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure.
Psa 103:22 Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul!
Psa 104:1 Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
Psa 104:2 He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
Psa 104:3 He lays the beams of his chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind.
Psa 104:4 He makes his messengers winds; his servants flames of fire.
Psa 104:5 He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
Psa 104:6 You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains.
Psa 104:7 At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away.
Psa 104:8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down, to the place which you had assigned to them.
Psa 104:9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; that they don't turn again to cover the earth.
Psa 104:10 He sends forth springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains.
Psa 104:11 They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Psa 104:12 The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches.
Psa 104:13 He waters the mountains from his chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
Psa 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food out of the earth:
Psa 104:15 wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man's heart.
Psa 104:16 Yahweh's trees are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted;
Psa 104:17 where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the fir trees.
Psa 104:18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
Psa 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set.
Psa 104:20 You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the animals of the forest prowl.
Psa 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.
Psa 104:22 The sun rises, and they steal away, and lay down in their dens.
Psa 104:23 Man goes forth to his work, to his labor until the evening.
Psa 104:24 Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches.
Psa 104:25 There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals.
Psa 104:26 There the ships go, and leviathan, whom you formed to play there.
Psa 104:27 These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season.
Psa 104:28 You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good.
Psa 104:29 You hide your face: they are troubled; you take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust.
Psa 104:30 You send forth your Spirit: they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
Psa 104:31 Let the glory of Yahweh endure forever. Let Yahweh rejoice in his works.
Psa 104:32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
Psa 104:33 I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
Psa 104:34 Let your meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Yahweh.
Psa 104:35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!


Sept. 26
Psalms 105-108

Psa 105:1 Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples.
Psa 105:2 Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
Psa 105:3 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
Psa 105:4 Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.
Psa 105:5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
Psa 105:6 you seed of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Psa 105:7 He is Yahweh, our God. His judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
Psa 105:9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac,
Psa 105:10 and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Psa 105:11 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;"
Psa 105:12 when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
Psa 105:13 They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
Psa 105:14 He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
Psa 105:15 "Don't touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!"
Psa 105:16 He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.
Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave.
Psa 105:18 They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,
Psa 105:19 until the time that his word happened, and Yahweh's word proved him true.
Psa 105:20 The king sent and freed him; even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.
Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions;
Psa 105:22 to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.
Psa 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt. Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
Psa 105:24 He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
Psa 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.
Psa 105:26 He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
Psa 105:27 They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
Psa 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn't rebel against his words.
Psa 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish.
Psa 105:30 Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.
Psa 105:31 He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders.
Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, with lightning in their land.
Psa 105:33 He struck their vines and also their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.
Psa 105:34 He spoke, and the locusts came, and the grasshoppers, without number,
Psa 105:35 ate up every plant in their land; and ate up the fruit of their ground.
Psa 105:36 He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood.
Psa 105:37 He brought them forth with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes.
Psa 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen on them.
Psa 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night.
Psa 105:40 They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky.
Psa 105:41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.
Psa 105:42 For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.
Psa 105:43 He brought forth his people with joy, his chosen with singing.
Psa 105:44 He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession,
Psa 105:45 that they might keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise Yah!
Psa 106:1 Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psa 106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh, or fully declare all his praise?
Psa 106:3 Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.
Psa 106:4 Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,
Psa 106:5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.
Psa 106:6 We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.
Psa 106:7 Our fathers didn't understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn't remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
Psa 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power known.
Psa 106:9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.
Psa 106:10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
Psa 106:11 The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left.
Psa 106:12 Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.
Psa 106:13 They soon forgot his works. They didn't wait for his counsel,
Psa 106:14 but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
Psa 106:15 He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.
Psa 106:16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, Yahweh's saint.
Psa 106:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
Psa 106:18 A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked.
Psa 106:19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image.
Psa 106:20 Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass.
Psa 106:21 They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
Psa 106:22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea.
Psa 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn't destroy them.
Psa 106:24 Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn't believe his word,
Psa 106:25 but murmured in their tents, and didn't listen to Yahweh's voice.
Psa 106:26 Therefore he swore to them that he would overthrow them in the wilderness,
Psa 106:27 that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, and scatter them in the lands.
Psa 106:28 They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Psa 106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them.
Psa 106:30 Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped.
Psa 106:31 That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.
Psa 106:32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes;
Psa 106:33 because they were rebellious against his spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips.
Psa 106:34 They didn't destroy the peoples, as Yahweh commanded them,
Psa 106:35 but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works.
Psa 106:36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them.
Psa 106:37 Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
Psa 106:38 They shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted with blood.
Psa 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds.
Psa 106:40 Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance.
Psa 106:41 He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them.
Psa 106:42 Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand.
Psa 106:43 Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity.
Psa 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.
Psa 106:45 He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
Psa 106:46 He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.
Psa 106:47 Save us, Yahweh, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise!
Psa 106:48 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, "Amen." Praise Yah!
Psa 107:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
Psa 107:3 And gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.
Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Psa 107:6 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,
Psa 107:7 he led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.
Psa 107:8 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:9 For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.
Psa 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,
Psa 107:11 because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.
Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help.
Psa 107:13 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds in sunder.
Psa 107:15 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:16 For he has broken the gates of brass, and cut through bars of iron.
Psa 107:17 Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.
Psa 107:18 Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.
Psa 107:19 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, he saves them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:20 He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.
Psa 107:21 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with singing.
Psa 107:23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;
Psa 107:24 These see Yahweh's works, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25 For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
Psa 107:26 They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.
Psa 107:27 They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
Psa 107:28 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.
Psa 107:29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
Psa 107:30 Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.
Psa 107:31 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works for the children of men!
Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.
Psa 107:33 He turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,
Psa 107:34 and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
Psa 107:35 He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.
Psa 107:36 There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,
Psa 107:37 sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.
Psa 107:38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn't allow their livestock to decrease.
Psa 107:39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
Psa 107:40 He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.
Psa 107:41 Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.
Psa 107:42 The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.
Psa 107:43 Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.
Psa 108:1 My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.
Psa 108:2 Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
Psa 108:3 I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. I will sing praises to you among the peoples.
Psa 108:4 For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psa 108:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth.
Psa 108:6 That your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us.
Psa 108:7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is my helmet. Judah is my scepter.
Psa 108:9 Moab is my wash pot. I will toss my sandal on Edom. I will shout over Philistia."
Psa 108:10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who has led me to Edom?
Psa 108:11 Haven't you rejected us, God? You don't go forth, God, with our armies.
Psa 108:12 Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.
Psa 108:13 Through God, we will do valiantly. For it is he who will tread down our enemies.


Sept. 27
Psalms 109-111

Psa 109:1 God of my praise, don't remain silent,
Psa 109:2 for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
Psa 109:3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
Psa 109:4 In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
Psa 109:5 They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Psa 109:6 Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
Psa 109:7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.
Psa 109:8 Let his days be few. Let another take his office.
Psa 109:9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
Psa 109:10 Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins.
Psa 109:11 Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.
Psa 109:12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him, neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
Psa 109:13 Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
Psa 109:14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh. Don't let the sin of his mother be blotted out.
Psa 109:15 Let them be before Yahweh continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;
Psa 109:16 because he didn't remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
Psa 109:17 Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn't delight in blessing, and it was far from him.
Psa 109:18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
Psa 109:19 Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him.
Psa 109:20 This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh, of those who speak evil against my soul.
Psa 109:21 But deal with me, Yahweh the Lord, for your name's sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me;
Psa 109:22 for I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me.
Psa 109:23 I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.
Psa 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat.
Psa 109:25 I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.
Psa 109:26 Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness;
Psa 109:27 that they may know that this is your hand; that you, Yahweh, have done it.
Psa 109:28 They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.
Psa 109:29 Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
Psa 109:30 I will give great thanks to Yahweh with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude.
Psa 109:31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.

Psa 110:1 Yahweh says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet."
Psa 110:2 Yahweh will send forth the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies.
Psa 110:3 Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
Psa 110:4 Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."
Psa 110:5 The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
Psa 110:6 He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.
Psa 110:7 He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

Psa 111:1 Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psa 111:2 Yahweh's works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them.
Psa 111:3 His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever.
Psa 111:4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful.
Psa 111:5 He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.
Psa 111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
Psa 111:7 The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure.
Psa 111:8 They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.
Psa 111:9 He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!
Psa 111:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!



Sept. 25
2 Corinthians 5

2Co 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
2Co 5:2 For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;
2Co 5:3 if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked.
2Co 5:4 For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2Co 5:5 Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.
2Co 5:6 Therefore, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;
2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2Co 5:8 We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
2Co 5:9 Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
2Co 5:10 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.
2Co 5:12 For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.
2Co 5:13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.
2Co 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
2Co 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
2Co 5:18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.




Sept. 26
2 Corinthians 6

2Co 6:1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
2Co 6:2 for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
2Co 6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
2Co 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
2Co 6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2Co 6:11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
2Co 6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
2Co 6:13 Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.
2Co 6:14 Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore, " 'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
2Co 6:18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty."



Sept. 27
2 Corinthians 7

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Co 7:2 Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
2Co 7:3 I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.
2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
2Co 7:5 For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
2Co 7:6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2Co 7:7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.
2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.
2Co 7:9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.
2Co 7:11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
2Co 7:12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.
2Co 7:13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
2Co 7:14 For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.
2Co 7:15 His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.
2Co 7:16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.