August 8, 2018

Bible Reading August 8, 9 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading August 8, 9
(World English Bible)


Aug. 8
Nehemiah 1-3

Neh 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
Neh 1:2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Neh 1:3 They said to me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.
Neh 1:4 It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
Neh 1:5 and said, I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:
Neh 1:6 Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned:
Neh 1:7 we have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.
Neh 1:8 Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, If you trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples:
Neh 1:9 but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.
Neh 1:10 Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand.
Neh 1:11 Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cup bearer to the king.

Neh 2:1 It happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been before sad in his presence.
Neh 2:2 The king said to me, Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid.
Neh 2:3 I said to the king, Let the king live forever: why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are consumed with fire?
Neh 2:4 Then the king said to me, For what do you make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Neh 2:5 I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant have found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may build it.
Neh 2:6 The king said to me (the queen also sitting by him), For how long shall your journey be? and when will you return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
Neh 2:7 Moreover I said to the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah;
Neh 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. The king granted me, according to the good hand of my God on me.
Neh 2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.
Neh 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
Neh 2:11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
Neh 2:12 I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on.
Neh 2:13 I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal's well, and to the dung gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire.
Neh 2:14 Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass.
Neh 2:15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.
Neh 2:16 The rulers didn't know where I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.
Neh 2:17 Then said I to them, You see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
Neh 2:18 I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. They said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Neh 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?
Neh 2:20 Then answered I them, and said to them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Neh 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up its doors; even to the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananel.
Neh 3:2 Next to him built the men of Jericho. Next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.
Neh 3:3 The fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
Neh 3:4 Next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. Next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. Next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
Neh 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their lord.
Neh 3:6 The old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars.
Neh 3:7 Next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, that appertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River.
Neh 3:8 Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. Next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall.
Neh 3:9 Next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
Neh 3:10 Next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. Next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.
Neh 3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces.
Neh 3:12 Next to him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
Neh 3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate.
Neh 3:14 The dung gate repaired Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem; he built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
Neh 3:15 The spring gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even to the stairs that go down from the city of David.
Neh 3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, to the place over against the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men.
Neh 3:17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district.
Neh 3:18 After him repaired their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah.
Neh 3:19 Next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the turningof the wall.
Neh 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Neh 3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
Neh 3:22 After him repaired the priests, the men of the Plain.
Neh 3:23 After them repaired Benjamin and Hasshub over against their house. After them repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah beside his own house.
Neh 3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, and to the corner.
Neh 3:25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired over against the turning of the wall, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Paroshrepaired.
Neh 3:26 (Now the Nethinim lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)
Neh 3:27 After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel.
Neh 3:28 Above the horse gate repaired the priests, everyone over against his own house.
Neh 3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his own house. After him repaired Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
Neh 3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another portion. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
Neh 3:31 After him repaired Malchijah one of the goldsmiths to the house of the Nethinim, and of the merchants, over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner.
Neh 3:32 Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

Aug. 9
Nehemiah 4-6

Neh 4:1 But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Neh 4:2 He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?
Neh 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.
Neh 4:4 Hear, our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Neh 4:5 and don't cover their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.
Neh 4:6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half the height of it: for the people had a mind to work.
Neh 4:7 But it happened that when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very angry;
Neh 4:8 and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.
Neh 4:9 But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
Neh 4:10 Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
Neh 4:11 Our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, until we come into the midst of them, and kill them, and cause the work to cease.
Neh 4:12 It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, You must return to us.
Neh 4:13 Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set there the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
Neh 4:14 I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Don't be afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Neh 4:15 It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
Neh 4:16 It happened from that time forth, that half of my servants worked in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
Neh 4:17 They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves; everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon;
Neh 4:18 and the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me.
Neh 4:19 I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another:
Neh 4:20 in whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally there to us; our God will fight for us.
Neh 4:21 So we worked in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning until the stars appeared.
Neh 4:22 Likewise at the same time said I to the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labor in the day.
Neh 4:23 So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, everyone went with his weapon to the water.

Neh 5:1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.
Neh 5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.
Neh 5:3 Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
Neh 5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute on our fields and our vineyards.
Neh 5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and behold, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
Neh 5:6 I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Neh 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
Neh 5:8 I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.
Neh 5:9 Also I said, The thing that you do is not good: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
Neh 5:10 I likewise, my brothers and my servants, do lend them money and grain. Please let us leave off this usury.
Neh 5:11 Please restore to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.
Neh 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
Neh 5:13 Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn't perform this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. All the assembly said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. The people did according to this promise.
Neh 5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Neh 5:15 But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people: but I didn't do so, because of the fear of God.
Neh 5:16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.
Neh 5:17 Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.
Neh 5:18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I didn't demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
Neh 5:19 Remember to me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

Neh 6:1 Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
Neh 6:2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Neh 6:3 I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?
Neh 6:4 They sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Neh 6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Neh 6:6 in which was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause you are building the wall: and you would be their king, according to these words.
Neh 6:7 You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Neh 6:8 Then I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.
Neh 6:9 For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, God, strengthen my hands.
Neh 6:10 I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you.
Neh 6:11 I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
Neh 6:12 I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Neh 6:13 For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Neh 6:14 Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
Neh 6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
Neh 6:16 It happened, when all our enemies heard of it, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.
Neh 6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
Neh 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.
Neh 6:19 Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Aug. 7, 8

Acts 22

Act 22:1 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you."
Act 22:2 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,
Act 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.
Act 22:4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
Act 22:5 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Act 22:6 It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.
Act 22:7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
Act 22:8 I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.'
Act 22:9 "Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me.
Act 22:10 I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.'
Act 22:11 When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
Act 22:12 One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,
Act 22:13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him.
Act 22:14 He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.
Act 22:15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Act 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
Act 22:17 "It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
Act 22:18 and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.'
Act 22:19 I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.
Act 22:20 When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.'
Act 22:21 "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.' "
Act 22:22 They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn't fit to live!"
Act 22:23 As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air,
Act 22:24 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.
Act 22:25 When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?"
Act 22:26 When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!"
Act 22:27 The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes."
Act 22:28 The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a great price." Paul said, "But I was born a Roman."
Act 22:29 Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.
Act 22:30 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Aug. 9, 10
Acts 23

Act 23:1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
Act 23:2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
Act 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?"
Act 23:4 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?"
Act 23:5 Paul said, "I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "
Act 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"
Act 23:7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
Act 23:9 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!"
Act 23:10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
Act 23:11 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome."
Act 23:12 When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
Act 23:13 There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.
Act 23:14 They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
Act 23:15 Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near."
Act 23:16 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
Act 23:17 Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him."
Act 23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you."
Act 23:19 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
Act 23:20 He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
Act 23:21 Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you."
Act 23:22 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
Act 23:23 He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night."
Act 23:24 He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
Act 23:25 He wrote a letter like this:
Act 23:26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
Act 23:27 "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
Act 23:28 Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
Act 23:29 I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
Act 23:30 When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell."
Act 23:31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Act 23:32 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks.
Act 23:33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
Act 23:34 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
Act 23:35 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive." He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace. 

Ex-Gay! Alive to God and Dead to Sin! by Tony Horton

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Horton/Tony/Earl/1957/ex-gay.html

Ex-Gay! Alive to God and Dead to Sin!

To refer to oneself as "ex-gay" is a sure way to ruffle feathers in the homosexual community. It always brings a response. For the most part, the gay community believes this is living in denial. Most cling to the homosexual propaganda that orientation is inborn, and cannot be changed. This is nothing but lies.
What do we mean by 'ex-gay'?
Romans chapter six explains it best:
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:1-4).
"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God" (Romans 6:11-13).
Dead to sin and alive to God. Being ex-gay is a choice to no longer dwell in sin but to live for God.
What about temptation? Can an ex-gay stumble and go back to living in sin?
First we need to understand temptation:
  • God doesn't tempt man (James 1:13).
  • Resist Satan and he will flee (James 4:7).
  • God will help us endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).
  • Pray for strength (Matthew 6:13).
  • Enduring temptation helps you grow (James 1:2-4).
  • Weak Christians may fall (Luke 8:13).
  • God will deliver us (Revelation 3:10).
  • Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15).
  • Christ will help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Why is man tempted?
  • Because of his own lust (2 Peter 2:18).
  • Satan seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8-10).
  • Satan tempts us (Luke 22:31-32).
  • The world is a temptation (1 John 2:15-17).
  • Riches are a temptation (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 13:22).
Effort and dedication are required.
It took time to train your mind that sodomy was OK and it will take time to train your mind in the ways of the Lord: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Even if you still have the desire after you have repented, fellowship with Christians, personal prayer, and studying God's word will help you refrain and stay right with God.
I have been out of the homosexual lifestyle for many years now and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. God has given me the peace that passes all understanding which comes from studying His word and fellowship with my Christian friends (Philippians 4:7). You can also reach this point if you have an honest heart and have the desire. You have to make the effort and meet God on His terms not yours.
Why does the term 'ex-gay' threaten the gay community?
It shows that change is possible and that one remains homosexual by choice.
Change is real, but God doesn't change the unwilling. We are free moral agents with a choice. You have to want change. No zapping it away, no miracles here. It requires daily dedication and repentance. You have to pick up your cross daily and walk with Him.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17).
Tony Horton
    The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
    Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Genesis through Deuteronomy and Joshua (2) by Jim McGuiggan

https://web.archive.org/web/20160424025427/http://jimmcguiggan.com/beginners2.asp?id=7

Genesis through Deuteronomy and Joshua (2)


Genesis records the creation to tell Israel that there is but one God and the creation is his work. The elements of the natural world were not gods to be worshiped or enemies that God had to overcome. And Israel was to understand that she was just another part of the human race that had rebelled against God and brought his judgement down on the race and on the creation (see the end of chapter 3). But God’s judgement did not mean he wanted to wash his hands of us. His judgement on sin was part of his work of redemption and he chose Abraham to be the father of the people through whom he would bring to completion his redemption of the world (see John 4:23). Genesis 12:1-3 and several other texts like it show that Abraham and his seed were the elect of God but they also show that no one was elite.
In Abraham and his descendants all the families of the earth were to be blessed and we see this perfectly illustrated in Joseph (see Genesis 39--41 and note the word “blessed”). The book ends with Israel in Egypt under Joseph’s protection. Though Joseph was next to the Pharaoh in power before he died he made Israel swear to take his bones to Canaan because he knew God would fulfil his promise to Abraham about Canaan (see Genesis 12:1-3 and chapter 15).
The blessing continues
The opening verses of Exodus echo the words of Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 12:1-3. Those who curse Abraham’s seed were to be cursed because they were God’s instrument of blessing for the whole world and whoever opposed them opposed God’s purpose to bless the world. Exodus 1 shows God making them fruitful and Egypt cursing them with death and hard labour. God then cursed Egypt and exposed their gods as no gods at all by bringing plagues on Egypt (see chapters 7--12) and delivering his people. The close connection with Genesis is stressed in the book of Exodus in many ways. The use of the word blessed and the repeated mention of God’s promise to Abraham (see Exodus 2:24 and 3:6 and elsewhere) remind us that there is a single drama unfolding and not just a number of interesting but unconnected events.
From the Passover to mount Sinai
The final act of judgement within Egypt’s borders was the slaying of the firstborn of animals and humans (see Exodus 12) and to commemorate their deliverance God gave them the Passover that would be a permanent witness that God had redeemed them. They left Egypt and headed toward Canaan but the Red Sea stood in their way and Pharaoh’s army was coming after them. God showed he was Lord of the Red Sea and the winds and whatever else he used to open up the Sea in which he buried his enemies who kept trying to thwart his purpose to bless the world through Israel (see Exodus 14). He brought them through the wilderness to Mount Sinai where they encamped for about a year (see Exodus 19).
There he made a covenant with Israel and as a nation they formally became his elect. He gave them the torah (the word means “instruction” and “guidance” but it carries with it the notion of authoritative instruction--it wasn’t a book of “suggestions” (see Exodus 19-23). He initiated a sacrificial system, priesthood and tabernacle and brought the people under the blood of the covenant. In the terms of the covenant he promised to be their God and provide for them and Israel promised glad-hearted allegiance to him alone (see Exodus 24 and then chapters 25--31 and 35--40 on the building of the tabernacle and see Leviticus on the priesthood and sacrifices).
Sandwiched in between those two sections in Exodus there is the building of the golden calf and Israel treacherous response to God. Immediately the law is given (like Adam and Eve) Israel breaks it and turns from the God who gave them life and freedom (see chapter 32). Moses intercedes and God renews the covenant (see chapters 33-34). This covenant, like everything else God does with Israel, is to be used to fulfill God’s redeeming purpose for humanity as a whole. Israel was not top think of her self as an end in herself--she was not God’s “pet”.
From Sinai to the River Jordan
From Sinai they head to Canaan but Israel distrusts God and will not enter Canaan at his bidding. They had seen what he did to Egypt but they didn’t trust him to do the same to the Canaanites who had become so corrupt that God would move them out of Canaan. Because of their distrust God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years where he proved that he could sustain them (see Numbers 13 & 14 and Deuteronomy 8:1-10). The God who could sustain them in the wilderness that long could easily have taken them on into Canaan but faithless Israel got in the way and was cursed for it. God purposed to bless the whole world and whoever worked to thwart that purpose made him or herself an enemy of God and the peoples of the world.
When the rebellious generation died off in the wilderness God brought Israel to the River Jordan which was the eastern border of the land of Canaan. The nations on the east of Jordan opposed Israel and in doing this they opposed God’s plan to use Israel to bless the world so God removed them from the land and gave it to Israel (see Deuteronomy 1--3). When they had taken the land east of the Jordan God sent Moses up mount Pisgah to see the promised land across Jordan before he died (see Numbers 20:2-13 and Deuteronomy 3:23-29). Before Moses died Joshua was appointed as his successor (Numbers 27:15-23, Deuteronomy 34:9 and Joshua 1:1-9).
Joshua and the Promised land
God’s promise to Abraham that he would father a great nation had been fulfilled (see Deuteronomy 1:8-10, which echoes Genesis 15:5). The land he had promised him (see Genesis 15:12-21) would be gained under Joshua (see Joshua 21:43-45 and 23:14-16). Throughout this history we’re told that it is God that gives them success. Canaan is constantly called the “promised” land and over and over again we hear God saying, “I will give you this land” or “I will bring you into this land.” Everyone must know that they cannot succeed independent of God (remember the tower of Babel and our wanting to be gods in the Garden of Eden).
As Moses brought Israel across water on dry ground at the Red Sea so Joshua brings Israel across the Jordan on dry ground (see Joshua 4). Finally, they are in the Promised Land, surrounded by fierce enemies and God commands that all the men be circumcised (Joshua 5). In this condition the nation is vulnerable but God preserved them. They move against fortified Jericho but God won’t let them take it in battle because he wants them to further learn that anything they gain they get it because God gives it to them (Joshua 6). The book closes with Israel in the land which is divided among the tribes and Joshua calls them to a covenant-renewal assembly in chapter 24. At the close of the book of Joshua the nation of Israel committed itself to glad-hearted allegiance to Yahweh, the one true God.
(You might be interested in going to materials on the book of Exodus in this site.)

THERE IS SOMETHING IN A NAME by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/05/

THERE IS SOMETHING IN A NAME


What is in a name? It takes a lifetime to build a good name, but only a second of indiscretion to lose it. A good name is to be chosen above riches, and is better than fine perfume. Adam gave names to every beast, and of birds, and of cattle, and to the mother of all living, yet it was Christ who gave us a name that is far above all names, Christian. There has never been a name given unto mankind that can save, but His Name. Our own name and reputation may fail us, but Jesus gave us a name that is impeccable, everlasting, and is given to only a few__CHRISTIAN. His Church carries His Name, the saints bear His Name,  and you can obtain your right to wear His Name by your obedience to the gospel of Christ.
Prov 22:1; Eccl 7:1; Acts 4:12; Acts 11:26; Isa 56:5; Isa 65:15; Eph 3:15; Rom 16:16