September 4, 2015

From Gary.... Bible Reading September 4, 5, 6




Bible Reading  
September 4, 5, 6

The World English Bible



Sept. 4
Psalms 36-39

Psa 36:1 An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."
Psa 36:2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.
Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Psa 36:4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.
Psa 36:5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.
Psa 36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
Psa 36:9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.
Psa 36:10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psa 36:11 Don't let the foot of pride come against me. Don't let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
Psa 36:12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.
Psa 37:1 Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
Psa 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
Psa 37:3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
Psa 37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psa 37:5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:
Psa 37:6 he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
Psa 37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing.
Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there.
Psa 37:11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psa 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
Psa 37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.
Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright in the way.
Psa 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.
Psa 37:16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.
Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
Psa 37:18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.
Psa 37:19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
Psa 37:20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish-- vanish like smoke.
Psa 37:21 The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, but the righteous give generously.
Psa 37:22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
Psa 37:23 A man's goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
Psa 37:26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.
Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
Psa 37:28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.
Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
Psa 37:32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.
Psa 37:33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Psa 37:34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
Psa 37:36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
Psa 37:38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
Psa 37:40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.
Psa 38:1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
Psa 38:2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.
Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
Psa 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
Psa 38:5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.
Psa 38:6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.
Psa 38:7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.
Psa 38:8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
Psa 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.
Psa 38:10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
Psa 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.
Psa 38:12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.
Psa 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.
Psa 38:14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.
Psa 38:15 For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.
Psa 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
Psa 38:17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.
Psa 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
Psa 38:19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
Psa 38:20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
Psa 38:21 Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.
Psa 38:22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.
Psa 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."
Psa 39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
Psa 39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
Psa 39:4 "Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
Psa 39:5 Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.
Psa 39:6 "Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.
Psa 39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
Psa 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don't make me the reproach of the foolish.
Psa 39:9 I was mute. I didn't open my mouth, because you did it.
Psa 39:10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
Psa 39:11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.
Psa 39:12 "Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don't be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
Psa 39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."

Sept. 5
Psalms 40-42
Psa 40:1 I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.
Psa 40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psa 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
Psa 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn't respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psa 40:5 Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can't be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
Psa 40:7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.
Psa 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart."
Psa 40:9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.
Psa 40:10 I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.
Psa 40:11 Don't withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.
Psa 40:12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.
Psa 40:13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Yahweh.
Psa 40:14 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
Psa 40:15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, "Aha! Aha!"
Psa 40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, "Let Yahweh be exalted!"
Psa 40:17 But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don't delay, my God.
Psa 41:1 Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.
Psa 41:2 Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.
Psa 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness.
Psa 41:4 I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you."
Psa 41:5 My enemies speak evil against me: "When will he die, and his name perish?"
Psa 41:6 If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.
Psa 41:7 All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me.
Psa 41:8 "An evil disease," they say, "has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more."
Psa 41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
Psa 41:10 But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.
Psa 41:11 By this I know that you delight in me, because my enemy doesn't triumph over me.
Psa 41:12 As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.
Psa 41:13 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.
Psa 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.
Psa 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Psa 42:3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"

Psa 42:4 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.
Psa 42:5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
Psa 42:6 My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
Psa 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me.
Psa 42:8 Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life.
Psa 42:9 I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
Psa 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"
Psa 42:11 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.


Sept. 6
Psalms 43-45

Psa 43:1 Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
Psa 43:2 For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Psa 43:3 Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, To your tents.
Psa 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
Psa 43:5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him: my Savior, my helper, and my God.
Psa 44:1 We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
Psa 44:2 You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
Psa 44:3 For they didn't get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
Psa 44:4 You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob!
Psa 44:5 Through you, will we push down our adversaries. Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us.
Psa 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
Psa 44:7 But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
Psa 44:8 In God we have made our boast all day long, we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
Psa 44:9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don't go out with our armies.
Psa 44:10 You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take spoil for themselves.
Psa 44:11 You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations.
Psa 44:12 You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
Psa 44:13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
Psa 44:14 You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
Psa 44:15 All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face,
Psa 44:16 At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
Psa 44:17 All this has come on us, yet have we not forgotten you, Neither have we been false to your covenant.
Psa 44:18 Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
Psa 44:19 Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
Psa 44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread forth our hands to a strange god;
Psa 44:21 won't God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Psa 44:22 Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
Psa 44:23 Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don't reject us forever.
Psa 44:24 Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
Psa 44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body cleaves to the earth.
Psa 44:26 Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake.

Psa 45:1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
Psa 45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
Psa 45:3 Gird your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty.
Psa 45:4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
Psa 45:5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king's enemies.
Psa 45:6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
Psa 45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
Psa 45:8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
Psa 45:9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
Psa 45:10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father's house.
Psa 45:11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
Psa 45:12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
Psa 45:13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
Psa 45:14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
Psa 45:15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king's palace.
Psa 45:16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.
Psa 45:17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
 
Sept. 4
Romans 16

Rom 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
Rom 16:2 that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
Rom 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Rom 16:4 who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.
Rom 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Rom 16:6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
Rom 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
Rom 16:9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
Rom 16:10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
Rom 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Rom 16:12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
Rom 16:13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Rom 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
Rom 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Rom 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
Rom 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
Rom 16:18 For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Rom 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
Rom 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
Rom 16:23 Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,
Rom 16:26 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;
Rom 16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Sept. 5
1 Corinthians 1

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
1Co 1:2 to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:
1Co 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
1Co 1:5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
1Co 1:8 who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
1Co 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News--not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1Co 1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
1Co 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
1Co 1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
1Co 1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.
1Co 1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."

Sept. 6
1 Corinthians 2

1Co 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Co 2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Co 2:5 that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6 We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing.
1Co 2:7 But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,
1Co 2:8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, "Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear, which didn't enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him."
1Co 2:10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God's Spirit.
1Co 2:12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
1Co 2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.
1Co 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?" But we have Christ's mind.

From Jim McGuiggan... ONLY GOD IS ENOUGH

ONLY GOD IS ENOUGH

Christos Gage and his wife Ruth have two of their characters in a Television series1 in a serious dialogue about religion and life under horrific conditions. One is a priest and the other a blind lawyer who wrestles with the issue of justice pursued outside the law. The discussion gets under way when the lawyer asks:
Do you believe in the Devil?
Priest. "You mean as a concept? No."
Do you believe he exists, in this world—among us?
Priest:  "When I was in seminary I was more studious than pious, more skeptical than my peers. I had this notion, a notion I was more than willing to speak about, at length, to whoever I could corner, that the Devil was inconsequential, a minor figure in the grand scheme.
"In my defense, in the scriptures the Hebrew word 'Satan' actually means 'adversary'. It is applied to any antagonist; angels, humans, serpents and kings. 2 The medieval theologians reinterpreted those passages to be about a single monstrous enemy and in my youthful zeal I was certain I knew why—propaganda. They were played up to drive people into the church.”
So you don't believe he exists?
Priest. "Have I stopped talking? [The lawyer apologizes.] Years later I was in Rwanda trying to help local churches provide aid and sanctuary to the refugees. I'd become close with the village elder, Gahiji. He and his family had the respect of everybody, Hutu and Tutsi alike. He had helped them all...through famine and disease.
The militia liked to force Hutu villagers to murder their neighbors—with machetes. But nobody would raise a hand against Gahiji. They said, 'How can we kill such a holy man?'

So the militia commander sent soldiers with orders to cut his head off in front of his entire village. Gahiji didn't resist; he just asked for a chance to say goodbye to his family but by the time he was done even the soldiers were unwilling to kill him. Still, they asked permission to shoot him rather than carry out the more grisly execution.
The commander wanted to meet the man who had won the respect of so many people who came from fiercely opposing viewpoints. He went to Gahiji and talked with him in his hut—talked with him for many hours—and then he dragged him out and hacked him to pieces along with his entire family.
In that man who took Gahiji's life I saw the Devil...so yes...I believe he walks among us, taking many forms." 3

When the 90's Rwanda horror ended a preacher who'd been through the entire period returned to Britain. He was asked if the breathtaking evil had not destroyed his faith in God; he said, "No, but it destroyed my faith in man." 
For reasons I won’t develop here, I’m one of those who believe that Satan is an actual being, a being whose name has come to stand for all that is anti-God, anti-human and anti-life. If something is an enemy of God and his overarching purpose, if it serves to oppress and rob humans of fullness of life in this world we rightly call it satanic.
It doesn’t matter to me if Satan is the name given to destructive anti-God forces that corrupt, enslave and torment humans though I’m certain that’s how it functions in some texts [n Revelation, for example]—the reality of these satanic forces is undeniable! 4
I’m not making an argument here or trying to “prove” anything. I simply want to be another one of a vast multitude down the ages that denounces the evil force called Sin that we let loose back all those millennia ago; an evil power that is not just the aggregate number of all the unjust, immoral and villainous acts and words we humans have turned loose in our history. Sin is viewed as more than wrongs done! It is a terrifying power, as real as physical disease, a reality that is truly the cosmic Emperor of Plagues. 5 Call it satanic, call it demonic, call it by some social or psychological name—call it anything you want but now and then stand stunned by its universal reign and its fathomless, savage, parasitical and destructive might.
We underestimate this…this thing…to our peril. To defeat it we raise up political reform, social change, education, wise words, laws, seminars by the thousands and books by the billions and this…thing…this heartless king, this slaver, this raping, pillaging alien that feeds on humans and breeds in the darkness and stalks in the daylight corrupts our plans and turns our shields into grass in a forest fire. We forget that—as the Bible tells it—the plague burst on the world in Paradise and not in a Hell’s Kitchen ghetto. 6
But while that’s essential news—it isn’t the good news.
There is a relative handful of people in this world who have been blessed and privileged with getting to hear and coming to believe the word of someone who said, “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have conquered the world.” Then there was the writer of Hebrews who wrote to disheartened believers about humanity’s glorious triumph in Jesus. He knew very well that it wasn’t yet true that the glory of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea and he says of the Lord Jesus, “We do not yet see all things put on under him but we see Jesus…” That was enough for him. He lets the chaotic world shout its message, “Do you see all the evil-doers defeated?” and he answers it with, “Not yet, but we see Jesus!” 7
And as laughable as it will seem to an innumerable host who as yet do not “see Jesus” come Sunday from rich homes and little huts, from far away and near, people will leave their homes and go to places where they will proclaim Jesus the coming King. The number will begin as a trickle, then become a stream and then a mighty river of believers who, as one People, in song, in prayer, in proclamation, in giving and in faithful love and mutual support will proclaim the return of the King to right all wrongs and finally and fully obliterate “Satan”. Can he do that? He has already done it! Believe that and act on its truth and wait for him to explain what you can’t altogether presently understand.
This isn’t good news only for believers, this is good news for the world!
1.    Season 1, episode 9 of Daredevil
2.     In 1 Kings 11:14 and 23God is said to raise up two “satans” against Solomon. They are identified as Hadad of Edom and Rezon, the son of Eliadah. In Numbers 22:22 the “angel of the Lord” stands against Balaam as a “satan”.
3.     Note 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 where Paul speaks of satanic transformations and disguises.
4.     Note the work of Walter Wink [3 volumes on The Powers] who leaves the question of Satan’s personal existence as open but drives home the undeniably terrifying reality of satanic forces to which the human family is enslaved.
5.    A phrase echoing the title of Siddhartha Mukherjee’s marvelous book on the history of cancer research, The Emperor of Maladies.
6.    Paul in Romans 5-7 personifies Sin as a king, a slaver, a law-giver. “Sin” to Bible writers is never an isolated act of wrong—specifics wrongs are only manifestations of a systemic disease that affects the entire human family in every age.
It’s right to confront the powers to make life better for our fellow-humans. It would be unlike God in Christ to care nothing for the sufferers of the world when he came to redeem and bring fullness of life. But while it is true that ghettos make people it’s a bigger truth that sinful people make ghettos.
7.    John 12:31; 16:33; Hebrews 2:8-9.
 

Good News About The First Amendment by Kevin Cain, J.D.


https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=2548

Good News About The First Amendment

by  Kevin Cain, J.D.

[Editor’s Note: The following article was written by A.P. auxiliary staff writer, Kevin Cain, who holds degrees from Freed-Hardeman University (B.S., M.Min.) and the Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. His current practice focuses on litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both State and Federal Courts. A product of the distinguished Advocacy Program at South Texas College of Law, where he won multiple national and state championships and many speaking and brief-writing awards, Kevin is a former Briefing Attorney of The First Court of Appeals and serves as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law.]
Years ago, Anne Murray sang the words, “We sure could use a little good news today.” Have you ever watched the evening news and had this thought? Is there any good news out there? Sadly, human nature tends to focus on the negative. We slow down to see a police officer issuing a speeding ticket. We stop and stare at a serious car accident. As they say in the news industry, “If it bleeds, it leads.” We stare at despair. Yet, we know there is good news all around us. The problem is that we rarely hear about that good news.
From the legal arena, we often hear about lawsuit abuse, frivolous lawsuits, outrageous verdicts, criminals going free, and courts infringing on religious liberties. Surely there is some good news coming out of our judicial system that we simply are not hearing about. There is, and it comes to us from the Texas Supreme Court.
On June 27, 2008, the Texas Supreme Court held in Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert that a party cannot sue for emotional (non-physical) damages arising from a religious practice. In that case, 17-year-old Laura Schubert spent the weekend “participating in church-related activities” for the youth. On Friday evening, the atmosphere became “spiritually charged” when one of the teens announced that she saw a demon near the sanctuary. Another teen announced that she saw a “cloud of the presence of God fill the church.” These young people “testified” about these events on Sunday morning. After praying all afternoon without any substantive food, Laura collapsed. After the worship service, several church members physically constrained Laura and carried her to a classroom where she was not released until she said the name of Jesus. Laura stated during this episode that demons were trying to get to her (Pleasant Glade Assembly...,” 2008).
Laura continued in church-related activities on Monday and Tuesday without any such similar events. However, on Wednesday, she fell to the floor in a fetal position because she wanted to be left alone. Youth members were summoned and held her down in a spread-eagle position holding her arms and legs. The senior pastor played a tape of soothing Christian music while laying his hands on Laura’s head and praying. During this incident, Laura suffered carpet burns and bruises on her wrists and shoulders (Pleasant Glade Assembly...,” 2008).
Laura and her parents sued the church and its leaders alleging numerous causes of action [NOTE: a “cause of action” is a legally recognized claim, like negligence or breach of contract.] After pre-trial motions disposed of some of these claims, the case went to trial on the remaining claims of assault and false imprisonment. The jury found that Laura had been assaulted and falsely imprisoned, and awarded her $300,000 for pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and medical expenses (for psychiatric treatment). While Laura did suffer physical injuries from this event (scrapes and bruises), the evidence at trial related only to subsequent emotional or psychological injuries (Pleasant Glade Assembly...,” 2008).
The court began its analysis by looking to the federal case of Paul v. Watchtower Bible Tract Society of New York, Inc. (1987) from the Ninth Circuit. Usually a reference to the Ninth Circuit is bad news, as this court is considered to be one of the more liberal federal appellate courts. For example, it was the Ninth Circuit that held that the pledge of allegiance violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, before the United States Supreme Court reversed the ruling (Newdow v..., 2002). However, in the Paul case, the Ninth Circuit was faced with the practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses in shunning or excommunicating their members. The court held in that case that “[i]ntangible or emotional harms cannot ordinarily serve as a basis for maintaining a tort cause of action against a church” (Newdow v..., 2002). The rationale for this rule is that the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practice of shunning was based exclusively on their interpretation of Scripture. In other words, courts should not weigh in on the validity of these practices when doing so would require the court to engage in its own interpretation of Scripture.
The Texas Supreme Court noted that the adjudication of the claims in the present case would require an unconstitutional inquiry into the truth or falsity of religious beliefs (Pleasant Glade...”). However, the court emphasized that this rule would not allow church members to commit unlawful acts with impunity “under the cloak of religion”: “Freedom to believe may be absolute, but freedom of conduct is not” (Pleasant Glade...”). Physical harm, as such, resulting from a religious practice is not insulated from judicial review by the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. It is possible that extreme conduct in the name of religion, causing only mental anguish, may not be protected under the First Amendment, but the Texas Supreme Court was quick to point out that “this is not such a case” (Pleasant Glade...”).
So, what do we learn from the Pleasant Glade case? First, keep in mind the legal context of this case. As a state case, it is not binding precedent on any state other than Texas. While this case could be persuasive authority in state and federal courts in other jurisdictions, it is binding only in Texas. Nevertheless, this case represents a trend (see other instances in the Schubert opinion) that favors religious liberties.
Second, freedom of religion is not without limits. The court expressly recognized that a cause of action or lawsuit can be maintained for physical injuries that result from a religious doctrine and the practice that results from such teaching. For example, the Bible teaches that we are to baptize others (Matthew 28:19). However, if I, through violent force, baptize some unwilling person, I can be sued for any physical injuries that may result. But I cannot be sued for upsetting someone by teaching that their soul is lost because they are not baptized.
Likewise, the Bible teaches us to share the good news of God’s Word with the world (Matthew 28:19). Yet, if I chase someone down and tackle them so I can tell them about God’s grace and love, and injure them in the process, I can be sued for any physical injury that may result from my over-zealous evangelistic tactic. On the other hand, if I preach that one cannot be saved outside of Jesus and this offends Hindus, I cannot be sued for emotional distress. (Keep in mind that a person can be sued for anything, but a court should dismiss such a lawsuit as it violates the First Amendment. Clients frequently ask if they can be sued for doing something, and I always respond that you can be sued for anything. The question is will they prevail in their suit).
Third, religious error will usually get you into trouble in more ways than one. None of these unfortunate events would have resulted if the teens had not been artificially manipulated into an emotional, “spirit-filled” frenzy. Clearly, they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2). These events are also a direct result of a failure to properly understand the role and duration of miracles and the laying on of hands (see Miller, 2003, 23[3]:17-23). A misunderstanding of the Scripture can result not only in spiritual ruin, but legal ruin also.
Inversely, notice that our civil laws protect religion as it is prescribed in the Bible. Righteousness, as it is defined in the Bible (Psalm 119:172), does not require us to physically harm those around us. While physical warfare was a part of the Old Testament system, such is no longer the case today as we live under a better covenant. Jesus made this point clear when Peter drew a sword and attacked Malchus. Jesus said: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52; cf. John 18:36). True Christian living that is consistent with God’s Word will keep us from intentionally physically injuring those around us. New Testament Christianity does not dictate that we kill God’s enemies, attack infidels, torture pagans into submission to Christ, or physically discipline unfaithful members of the body of Christ. God calls us to peace—peace with Him and our fellow man. This point could not have been made more clearly than when Jesus said, “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). By inspiration, Paul described the extraordinary way we should treat our enemies:
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink” (Romans 12:17-20).
A person whose life reflects this mandate from Romans is certainly not lawsuit-proof (as no person is these days), but he is clearly not as likely to be convicted of wrong-doing.
This is consistent with the portrayal of early Christians, who, when accused of fabricated allegations of treason, responded that the Christian religion would, in fact, cause them to be better citizens (seeMattox, 1961, pp. 73,83). Likewise, conforming to God’s holy Word will most protected us from the laws of our civil government. Remember the words of Paul: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” (Romans 13:3).
Finally, it is refreshing to see a court protecting our religious liberties, rather than tearing them down. But, what should we do if the unthinkable happens? What if courts held that the First Amendment did not protect us from lawsuits for preaching the truth on salvation, withdrawing fellowship from unrepentant Christians, or refusing to hire someone because of their “sexual orientation”? What should we do if, rather than protecting Christians, the law allows others to persecute us through legal channels for doing God’s will? What then?
We continue to do what is right, and we rejoice in persecution. The apostles were arrested by the high priest and Sadducees for preaching God’s Word (Acts 5:17-18). After being miraculously released from prison, the apostles immediately started preaching Jesus again (Acts 5:19-21). The apostles were arrested again and told not to preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:27-28). Peter and the apostles responded by proclaiming a fundamental principle of the Christian’s relationship with the government: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Initially, the Sanhedrin wanted to kill the apostles in response to this statement (Acts 5:33), but after some thoughtful reasoning, they beat the apostles and warned them to preach no more (Acts 5:34-40). After the apostles were beaten and warned, they left rejoicing, that’s right, rejoicing because they were considered worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
Consider the second verse of the national song “Faith of Our Fathers”: “Our fathers, chained in prison dark, were still in heart and conscience free; How sweet would be their children’s fate, if they, like them, could die for Thee!” How true, but we are more likely to face persecution in the form of a lawsuit than face death as a consequence of our devotion to God. We are more likely to be sued, than beaten, for proclaiming God’s Word and living it. Yet, whether we face peace or persecution, love or lawsuit, blessings or beatings, we must remain faithful to God, and continue to vote for men and women who are likely to protect our religious liberties (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
The good news is not that a court is protecting my religious liberties, although I am truly grateful for that. No, the real good news is that we, like the early Christians, are still in heart and conscience free to serve God. With or without the protection of the law, we must serve God. That is good news.

REFERENCES

Mattox, F.W. (1961), The Eternal Kingdom (Delight, AR: Gospel Light Publishing).
Miller, Dave (2003), “Modern-Day Miracles, Tongue-Speaking, and Holy Spirit Baptism: A Refutation—EXTENDED VERSION,” Reason & Revelation, 23[3]:17-23, March, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2569.
Newdow v. U.S. Congress, 313 F.3d 500 (9th Cir. 2002).
Paul v. Watchtower Bible Tract Society of New York, Inc., 819 F.2d 875 (9th Cir. 1987).
Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, S.W.3d, 2008 WL 2572009 (Tex. 2008), [On-line], URL: http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/historical/062708.asp.

Guidelines for Voting According to a Founding Father by Noah Webster

Guidelines for Voting According to a Founding Father

by  Noah Webster