June 17, 2013

From Gary... Enduring beauty


My grand-daughter Elizabeth took these pictures of Linda's roses and they are beautiful. There is just something about roses (besides being my family name) that is wonderful.  They are soft and have a pleasant odor and just having them around is a feast for the eyes.  However, they DO NOT last forever; their attractiveness fades as they wither and die.  If you look closely at the larger ones in the picture, you will see that the process of decline and decomposition has already begun.  These roses made me reflect on how transient are the things of this world.  How wonderful EVERYTHING seemed when I was young, but now???  I wish there was no decline and death, but sorrowfully, that is not the case.  But what if wishes came true; what then???  Read on and you will see...

1 Peter, Chapter 1

 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,  7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—  9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.  12 To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. 

  13  Therefore prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,  15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;  16 because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”  17 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:  18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,  19 but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ;  20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,  21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. 

  22  Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:  23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.  24 For, 
“All flesh is like grass,
and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass.
The grass withers, and its flower falls;
  25 but the Lord’s word endures forever.”

This is the word of Good News which was preached to you. 


God's word does not fade; it is eternal.  The lives of countless individuals have attested to this fact and are witnesses of the truth.  Most prominent among those is Jesus.  He is the living example of God's word: resurrected, exalted, and providing us with an opportunity to be like him in heaven.  Tell me, have you heard any news today that even is in the same galaxy as that???  Look at the flowers, enjoy and reflect a bit and you will see what I mean.  And then, do yourself a favor.... read the first chapter of 1st Peter again.  Compare the two- one fades, the other does not.  Which one will you choose?

From Mark Copeland... Peter’s Denial Of Jesus (Mk.14:66-72)



                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                   Peter’s Denial Of Jesus (14:66-72)

INTRODUCTION

1. Among the things Jesus suffered was the indignity of Peter’s
   denial...
   a. Three times, with increasing intensity, Peter denied knowing Jesus
      - Mk 14:66-72
   b. Peter denied knowing Jesus, despite being with Jesus:
      1) From the beginning of His earthly ministry - Mk 1:16-18
      2) At the healing of his own mother-in-law - Mk 1:29-31
      3) On the Sea of Galilee, walking on the water - Mt 14:22-33
      4) On the mount, seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah - Mk 9:2-6

2. How did Peter come to deny his Lord and Savior...?
   a. What forces were at work, that led to his cowardly deed?
   b. Might they be forces we face today, encouraging us to do the same?

[From "Peter’s Denial Of Jesus", there are important lessons to be
gleaned.  Indeed, Peter himself can help us to avoid making the mistakes
he made when he writes as one who knows the dangers before us.  For
example, we note first of all that...]

I. PETER WAS BETRAYED BY PRIDE

   A. HE BOASTED HE WOULD NEVER DENY JESUS...
      1. Proudly proclaiming that even if all left Jesus, not him! - Mk 14:27-29
      2. In so doing, Peter took the first step in falling away - Pr 16:18
      3. We can also be overconfident in our service to God - cf. 1Co 10:12

   B. PETER LATER COMMANDED HUMILITY...
      1. To be clothed with humility - 1Pe 5:5
      2. To humble ourselves before God - 1Pe 5:6

[Peter learned the hard way about the danger of pride.  Will we learn
from the mistake of Peter, and value the importance of humility?  Next,
notice that...]

II. PETER WAS BESIEGED BY LAZINESS

   A. HE KEPT FALLING ASLEEP...
      1. At a time when he needed to be watchful - Mk 14:37-42
      2. His laziness therefore led to lack of preparation
      3. The same thing can happen to us!
         a. Without diligent preparation, we too can be unprepared - cf.
            Lk 21:34-36
         b. More often than not, we gradually "drift away" because we
            are too lazy to "give the more earnest heed" - cf. He 2:1-3

   B. PETER LATER ENJOINED DILIGENCE...
      1. Commanding vigilant resistance against the devil - 1Pe 5:8-9
      2. Calling for diligence that we might:
         a. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus - 2Pe 1:5,10
         b. Be found in peace, without spot and blameless - 2Pe 3:14

[Do we allow simple laziness to keep us from careful preparation?  Do we
fail to attend services, study God’s Word, or even pray, because of
laziness?  If so, how can we hope to stand up for Jesus when put to the
test?  As we continue, we observe that...]

III. PETER WAS BESET BY COWARDICE

   A. HE FOLLOWED JESUS AT A DISTANCE...
      1. Peter still followed Jesus - Mk 14:54
      2. But now that Jesus was unpopular...
         a. He stays far enough away so not to be identified with Him
         b. He was unprepared to face the challenge of ridicule and
            persecution
      3. Might we be guilty trying to follow Jesus, but with cowardice?
         a. Ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible?
         b. Ashamed to be seen giving thanks?
         c. Ashamed to be seen with other Christians?

   B. PETER LATER EXHORTED GLORIFYING GOD...
      1. Charging us not to be ashamed, but to glorify God - 1Pe 4:16
      2. Thinking not of what things mean to us, but what they mean to
         God! - cf. Mt 5:16

[With cowardice keeping him at a distance from his Lord, Peter was a
prime candidate for succumbing to what came next...]

IV. PETER WAS BELEAGUERED BY WORLDLINESS

   A. HE WAS INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD...
      1. By sitting with the servants of the High Priest, and warming
         himself by their fire - Mk 14:54
      2. Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it was easy to mingle with
         those of the world and enjoy their comforts
      3. But one cannot be "comforted by the fire" of the world, and not
         be "burned"!
         a. E.g., close contact with things that can harm has an effect
            - cf. Pr 6:27-29
         b. So we cannot flirt with the world and walk away untouched
            - 1Co 15:33

   B. PETER LATER CALLED FOR US TO BE OTHERWORLDLY...
      1. To live as sojourners and pilgrims, abstaining from fleshly
         lusts and with honorable conduct among the nations - 1Pe 2:11-12
      2. To look for that new heavens and new earth, being diligent to
         be found by Christ in peace, without spot and blameless - 2Pe 3:13-14

CONCLUSION

1. When Peter concluded his second epistle, he did so with a warning...
   a. To beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness - 2Pe 3:17
   b. To grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ - 2Pe 3:18

2. These admonitions come from one who was well qualified to speak...
   a. For he knew how easy it was to fall through such things as:
      1) Pride
      2) Laziness
      3) Cowardice
      4) Worldliness
   b. But he also knew how one could grow in grace through such things
      as:
      1) Humility
      2) Diligence
      3) Glorifying God
      4) Living as strangers and sojourners

Yes, we know that Peter, though he denied Jesus three times and wept
bitterly, received grace when forgiven by Jesus and permitted to fulfill
his role as an apostle.  If we have been guilty of letting our Lord
down, look to Him for the grace to repent and growth that only He can
bestow...!



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Jim McGuiggan... Power Perfected In Weakness



Power Perfected In Weakness

The present tense of the verb suggests that the phrase "my power is made perfect in weakness" means God's power continues to be made perfect in weakness. The Greek text has no word answering to "my" but it appears that translators are correct in adding the word.
The text has immediate reference to Paul's own set of circumstances. If Paul wants to faithfully serve God (and he most certainly does) then he is to remember this truth: God's strength has always been and goes on being made perfect in weakness. Paul sees that truth demonstrated in his own labours across the world.
But the central and decisive demonstration of that truth is found in Jesus Christ who was "crucified in weakness" (2 Corinthians 13:4) and in that weakness he defeated all the powers of evil, cruelty and cynicism that led the creation to tear itself away from God and wake up in chaos (compare 
Colossians 2:15).

There is no silly claim here that God lacks "coercive" power. By "coercive" power I mean power that needs no co-operation to gain its object. Coercive power wills it to be so and it is! For example God can speak and non-existent galaxies obey and appear before him. He speaks through Christ and plain water immediately blushes and becomes wine. The power that is made perfect in weakness is another kind of power--but it is power nevertheless. It is non-coercive power. It's the power of love meeting hatred, it's the power of holiness meeting sin and it's the power of reconciling forgiveness meeting the fragmentation of rebellion. It is power that works within the parameters of relationships, respecting their structure and allowing them the possibility of the veto. (This needs further nuancing but I think you get my meaning.)
In the Corinthian context the power that is made perfect in weakness is God's will to redeem those who are too blind to know they need redeemed or are too hard to want to be redeemed. He who wants to rescue such people within the parameters of a relationship must come to them without coercion and the astounding thing is that God wants to do just that. He who would redeem us from our ugliness must love us even in our ugliness.
God seems to have a soft spot for the under-dog and weakness calls out not only his non-coercive power it calls out his coercive power to serve that power that is more costly to exercise.
There was a time when a man's aged body and a woman's barren womb said "no" and God in the power of love said "yes". A nation was enslaved and a mighty pharaoh said "no" to their freedom but God's powerful love said "yes". A restless sea and a brooding wilderness opposed their going home and said "no" and God's holy love said "yes". One day a representative of Rome and leaders of his own people consigned the Messiah to death's keeping and when God came asking for him the grave said "no". But God pounded his great fist on death's door and said an eternal "yes". All of that coercive power in the service of the power of love. Holy love's power that cannot bully its way into our lives is freely offered and is brought to perfection in our weakness.
All this reminds us that God's "coercive" power doesn't exist in isolation but is given its complexion by his "character". The exercises of his coercive power expressed his holy love and faithfulness. It not only makes sense to say that God's holy love determines how his coercive power will be exercised, it is following the biblical witness. A good and holy man will not say, "I am physically very powerful and my power will be the determining factor in all I do." Nor would a holy God even though he is omnipotent.
The passage doesn't say, "Your power is made perfect in weakness." The passage doesn't say, "You are made powerful in weakness." The power lies always with God and because in our weakness we are the place where God's saving power is made fully present we are said to be strong. But we are never said to be able. We hear, "Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by him" Always he and never we.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study, Jun. 17



Bible Reading and Study


June 17
1Samuel 27, 28

1Sa 27:1 David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
1Sa 27:2 David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
1Sa 27:3 David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
1Sa 27:4 It was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
1Sa 27:5 David said to Achish, If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?
1Sa 27:6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: why Ziklag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day.
1Sa 27:7 The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
1Sa 27:8 David and his men went up, and made a raid on the Geshurites, and the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for thosenations were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.
1Sa 27:9 David struck the land, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the cattle, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the clothing; and he returned, and came to Achish.
1Sa 27:10 Achish said, Against whom have you made a raid today? David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.
1Sa 27:11 David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so has been his manner all the while he has lived in the country of the Philistines.
1Sa 27:12 Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever.

1Sa 28:1 It happened in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, Know assuredly that you shall go out with me in the army, you and your men.
1Sa 28:2 David said to Achish, Therefore you shall know what your servant will do. Achish said to David, Therefore will I make you keeper of my head for ever.
1Sa 28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
1Sa 28:4 The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
1Sa 28:5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
1Sa 28:6 When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn't answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
1Sa 28:7 Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.
1Sa 28:8 Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Please divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you.
1Sa 28:9 The woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
1Sa 28:10 Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, As Yahweh lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing.
1Sa 28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? He said, Bring me up Samuel.
1Sa 28:12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul.
1Sa 28:13 The king said to her, Don't be afraid: for what do you see? The woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.
1Sa 28:14 He said to her, What form is he of? She said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a robe. Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.
1Sa 28:15 Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
1Sa 28:16 Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing Yahweh has departed from you, and has become your adversary?
1Sa 28:17 Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me: and Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
1Sa 28:18 Because you didn't obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn't execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you this day.
1Sa 28:19 Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me: Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.
1Sa 28:20 Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
1Sa 28:21 The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said to him, Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
1Sa 28:22 Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.
1Sa 28:23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.
1Sa 28:24 The woman had a fattened calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread of it:
1Sa 28:25 and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they rose up, and went away that night. 




The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation
1 Samuel




1 Samuel 27 1
David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me to seek me any more within all the limits of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.
And David saith unto his heart, `Now am I consumed one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing for me better than that I diligently escape unto the land of the Philistines, and Saul hath been despairing of me -- of seeking me any more in all the border of Israel, and I have escaped out of his hand.`
1 Samuel 27 2
David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
And David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, to Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
And David riseth, and passeth over, he and six hundred men who [are] with him, unto Achish son of Maoch king of Gath;
1 Samuel 27 3
David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal`s wife.
And David abode with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household; David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jizreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal`s wife.
and David dwelleth with Achish in Gath, he and his men, each one with his household, [even] David and his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelitess.
1 Samuel 27 4
It was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; and he sought no more for him.
And it is declared to Saul that David hath fled to Gath, and he hath not added any more to seek him.
1 Samuel 27 5
David said to Achish, If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?
And David said to Achish, If now I have found favour in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some country-town, that I may abide there; for why should thy servant abide in the royal city with thee?
And David saith unto Achish, `If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, they give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, yea, why doth thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?`
1 Samuel 27 6
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: why Ziklag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day.
And Achish gave him Ziklag that day; therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.
And Achish giveth to him in that day Ziklag, therefore hath Ziklag been to the kings of Judah till this day.
1 Samuel 27 7
The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And the time that David abode in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.
And the number of the days which David hath dwelt in the field of the Philistines [is] days and four months;
1 Samuel 27 8
David and his men went up, and made a raid on the Geshurites, and the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those [nations] were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.
And David and his men went up and made a raid upon the Geshurites, and the Gerzites, and the Amalekites: for those were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, and as far as the land of Egypt.
and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite, and the Gerizite, and the Amalekite, (for they are inhabitants of the land from of old), as thou comest in to Shur and unto the land of Egypt,
1 Samuel 27 9
David struck the land, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the clothing; and he returned, and came to Achish. 
And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
and David hath smitten the land, and doth not keep alive man and woman, and hath taken sheep, and oxen, and asses, and camels, and garments, and turneth back, and cometh in unto Achish.
1 Samuel 27 10
Achish said, Against whom have you made a raid today? David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.
So Achish said, Have ye not made a raid to-day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
And Achish saith, `Whither have ye pushed to-day?` and David saith, `Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelite, and unto the south of the Kenite.`
1 Samuel 27 11
David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so has been his manner all the while he has lived in the country of the Philistines.
And David left neither man nor woman alive, to bring [them] to Gath, for he said, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David. And such was his custom as long as he abode in the country of the Philistines.
Neither man nor woman doth David keep alive, to bring in [word] to Gath, saying, `Lest they declare [it] against us, saying, Thus hath David done, and thus [is] his custom all the days that he hath dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.`
1 Samuel 27 12
Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever.
And Achish trusted David, saying, He has made himself utterly odious among his people Israel; and he shall be my servant for ever.
And Achish believeth in David, saying, `He hath made himself utterly abhorred among his people, in Israel, and hath been to me for a servant age-during.`
1 Samuel 28 1
It happened in those days, that the Philistines gathered their hosts together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me in the host, you and your men.
And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered together their armies for warfare to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, Know thou assuredly that thou shalt go out with me to the camp, thou and thy men.
And it cometh to pass in those days, that the Philistines gather their camps for the war, to fight against Israel, and Achish saith unto David, `Thou dost certainly know that with me thou dost go out into the camp, thou and thy men.`
1 Samuel 28 2
David said to Achish, Therefore you shall know what your servant will do. Achish said to David, Therefore will I make you keeper of my head for ever.
And David said to Achish, Thereby thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my person for ever.
And David saith unto Achish, `Therefore -- thou dost know that which thy servant dost do.` And Achish saith unto David, `Therefore -- keeper of my head I do appoint thee all the days.`
1 Samuel 28 3
Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
(Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and they had buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away the necromancers and the soothsayers out of the land.)
And Samuel hath died, and all Israel mourn for him, and bury him in Ramah, even in his city, and Saul hath turned aside those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
1 Samuel 28 4
The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
And the Philistines are gathered, and come in, and encamp in Shunem, and Saul gathereth all Israel, and they encamp in Gilboa,
1 Samuel 28 5
When Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
And when Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
and Saul seeth the camp of the Philistines, and feareth, and his heart trembleth greatly,
1 Samuel 28 6
When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn`t answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
And Saul inquired of Jehovah; but Jehovah did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
and Saul asketh at Jehovah, and Jehovah hath not answered him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
1 Samuel 28 7
Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor.
Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman that has a spirit of Python, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a spirit of Python at En-dor.
And Saul saith to his servants, `Seek for me a woman possessing a familiar spirit, and I go unto her, and inquire of her;` and his servants say unto him, `Lo, a woman possessing a familiar spirit in En-dor.`
1 Samuel 28 8
Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Please divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you.
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other garments, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, I pray thee, divine to me by the spirit of Python, and bring me [him] up whom I shall name to thee.
And Saul disguiseth himself and putteth on other garments, and goeth, he and two of the men with him, and they come in unto the woman by night, and he saith, `Divine, I pray thee, to me by the familiar spirit, and cause to come up to me him whom I say unto thee.`
1 Samuel 28 9
The woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: why then lay you a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
And the woman said to him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul has done, how he has cut off the necromancers and the soothsayers out of the land; and why layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
And the woman saith unto him, `Lo, thou hast known that which Saul hath done, that he hath cut off those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land; and why art thou laying a snare for my soul -- to put me to death?`
1 Samuel 28 10
Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, As Yahweh lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing.
And Saul swore unto her by Jehovah, saying, [As] Jehovah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
And Saul sweareth to her by Jehovah, saying, `Jehovah liveth, punishment doth not meet thee for this thing.`
1 Samuel 28 11
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? He said, Bring me up Samuel.
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
And the woman saith, `Whom do I bring up to thee?` and he saith, `Samuel -- bring up to me.`
1 Samuel 28 12
When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul.
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? Even thou art Saul.
And the woman seeth Samuel, and crieth with a loud voice, and the woman speaketh unto Saul, saying, `Why hast thou deceived me -- and thou Saul?`
1 Samuel 28 13
The king said to her, Don`t be afraid: for what do you see? The woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.
And the king said to her, Be not afraid; but what didst thou see? And the woman said to Saul, I saw a god ascending out of the earth.
And the king saith to her, `Do not fear; for what hast thou seen?` and the woman saith unto Saul, `Gods I have seen coming up out of the earth.`
1 Samuel 28 14
He said to her, What form is he of? She said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a robe. Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.
And he said to her, What is his form? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
And he saith to her, `What [is] his form?` and she saith, `An aged man is coming up, and he [is] covered with an upper robe;` and Saul knoweth that he [is] Samuel, and boweth -- face to thee earth -- and doth obeisance.
1 Samuel 28 15
Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul said, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known to me what I shall do.
And Samuel saith unto Saul, `Why hast thou troubled me, to bring me up?` And Saul saith, `I have great distress, and the Philistines are fighting against me, God hath turned aside from me, and hath not answered me any more, either by the hand of the prophets, or by dreams; and I call for thee to let me know what I do.` 
1 Samuel 28 16
Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing Yahweh is departed from you, and is become your adversary?
And Samuel said, Why then dost thou inquire of me, seeing Jehovah is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
And Samuel saith, `And why dost thou ask me, and Jehovah hath turned aside from thee, and is thine enemy?
1 Samuel 28 17
Yahweh has done to you, as he spoke by me: and Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
And Jehovah has done for himself as he spoke by me; and Jehovah has rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbour, to David.
And Jehovah doth for Himself as He hath spoken by my hand, and Jehovah rendeth the kingdom out of thy hand, and giveth it to thy neighbour -- to David.
1 Samuel 28 18
Because you didn`t obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn`t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore has Yahweh done this thing to you this day.
Because thou didst not hearken to the voice of Jehovah, and didst not execute his fierce anger upon Amalek, therefore has Jehovah done this thing to thee this day. 
Because thou hast not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, nor didst the fierceness of His anger on Amalek -- therefore this thing hath Jehovah done to thee this day;
1 Samuel 28 19
Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow shall you and your sons be with me: Yahweh will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.
And Jehovah will also give Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me; the army of Israel also will Jehovah give into the hand of the Philistines.
yea, Jehovah giveth also Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow thou and thy sons [are] with me; also the camp of Israel doth Jehovah give into the hand of the Philistines.`
1 Samuel 28 20
Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
And Saul fell straightway his full length on the earth, and was sore afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all the day nor all the night.
And Saul hasteth and falleth -- the fulness of his stature -- to the earth, and feareth greatly because of the words of Samuel; also power was not in him, for he had not eaten bread all the day, and all the night.
1 Samuel 28 21
The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said to him, Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
And the woman came to Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said to him, Behold, thy bondmaid has hearkened to thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened to thy words which thou spokest to me.
And the woman cometh in unto Saul, and seeth that he hath been greatly troubled, and saith unto him, `Lo, thy maid-servant hath hearkened to thy voice, and I put my soul in my hand, and I obey thy words which thou hast spoken unto me; 
1 Samuel 28 22
Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.
And now, I pray thee, hearken thou also to the voice of thy bondmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength when thou goest on thy way.
and now, hearken, I pray thee, also thou, to the voice of thy maid-servant, and I set before thee a morsel of bread, and eat, and there is in thee power when thou goest in the way.`
1 Samuel 28 23
But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.
But he refused and said, I will not eat. Then his servants, and the woman also, compelled him, and he hearkened to their voice; and he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
And he refuseth, and saith, `I do not eat;` and his servants urge on him, and also the woman, and he hearkeneth to their voice, and riseth from the earth, and sitteth on the bed.
1 Samuel 28 24
The woman had a fattened calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread of it:
And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread thereof;
And the woman hath a calf of the stall in the house, and she hasteth and slaughtereth it, and taketh flour, and kneadeth, and baketh it unleavened things, 
1 Samuel 28 25
and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
and she brought it near before Saul, and before his servants, and they ate. And they rose up and went away that night.
and bringeth nigh before Saul, and before his servants, and they eat, and rise, and go on, during that night.


Study Questions...


Why did Achish believe that David would be his servant forever? 27:10-12

Why did Saul consult a woman who had a familiar spirit? 28:5-11

Who was Saul's enemy? 28:16



Jun. 17, 18
John 17

Joh 17:1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
Joh 17:2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
Joh 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
Joh 17:4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
Joh 17:5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
Joh 17:6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
Joh 17:8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
Joh 17:9 I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
Joh 17:10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
Joh 17:11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 17:13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
Joh 17:14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
Joh 17:18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
Joh 17:20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
Joh 17:22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
Joh 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
Joh 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Joh 17:25 Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
Joh 17:26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them." 



The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation
John


John 17 1
Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
These things Jesus spoke, and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee;
These things spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to the heaven, and said -- `Father, the hour hath come, glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee, 
John 17 2
even as you gave him authority over all flesh, that to all whom you have given him, he will give eternal life.
as thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that [as to] all that thou hast given to him, he should give them life eternal.
according as Thou didst give to him authority over all flesh, that -- all that Thou hast given to him -- he may give to them life age-during;
John 17 3
This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
And this is the eternal life, that they should know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
and this is the life age-during, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and him whom Thou didst send -- Jesus Christ;
John 17 4
I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
I have glorified *thee* on the earth, I have completed the work which thou gavest me that I should do it;
I did glorify Thee on the earth, the work I did finish that Thou hast given me, that I may do [it].
John 17 5
Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
and now glorify *me*, *thou* Father, along with thyself, with the glory which I had along with thee before the world was.
`And now, glorify me, Thou Father, with Thyself, with the glory that I had before the world was, with Thee;
John 17 6
I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world. They were thine, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy word.
I did manifest Thy name to the men whom Thou hast given to me out of the world; Thine they were, and to me Thou hast given them, and Thy word they have kept;
John 17 7
Now they know that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
Now they have known that all things that thou hast given me are of thee;
now they have known that all things, as many as Thou hast given to me, are from Thee,
John 17 8
for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they believed that you sent me.
for the words which thou hast given me I have given them, and they have received [them], and have known truly that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou sentest me.
because the sayings that Thou hast given to me, I have given to them, and they themselves received, and have known truly, that from Thee I came forth, and they did believe that Thou didst send me.
John 17 9
I pray for them. I don`t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
I demand concerning them; I do not demand concerning the world, but concerning those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine,
`I ask in regard to them; not in regard to the world do I ask, but in regard to those whom Thou hast given to me, because Thine they are,
John 17 10
All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
(and all that is mine is thine, and [all] that is thine mine,) and I am glorified in them.
and all mine are Thine, and Thine [are] mine, and I have been glorified in them;
John 17 11
I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
And I am no longer in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one as we.
and no more am I in the world, and these are in the world, and I come unto Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, whom Thou hast given to me, that they may be one as we;
John 17 12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
When I was with them I kept them in thy name; those thou hast given me I have guarded, and not one of them has perished, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.
when I was with them in the world, I was keeping them in Thy name; those whom Thou hast given to me I did guard, and none of them was destroyed, except the son of the destruction, that the Writing may be fulfilled.
John 17 13
But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
And now I come to thee. And these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in them.
`And now unto Thee I come, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves;
John 17 14
I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I have given them thy word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
I have given to them Thy word, and the world did hate them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world;
John 17 15
I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
I do not demand that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them out of evil.
I do not ask that Thou mayest take them out of the world, but that Thou mayest keep them out of the evil.
John 17 16
They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
`Of the world they are not, as I of the world am not;
John 17 17
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
Sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth.
sanctify them in Thy truth, Thy word is truth;
John 17 18
As you sent me into the world, even so I sent them into the world.
As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world;
as Thou didst send me to the world, I also did send them to the world;
John 17 19
For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
and I sanctify myself for them, that they also may be sanctified by truth.
and for them do I sanctify myself, that they also themselves may be sanctified in truth.
John 17 20
Neither for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, 
And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe on me through their word;
`And not in regard to these alone do I ask, but also in regard to those who shall be believing, through their word, in me;
John 17 21
that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
that they may be all one, as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
that they all may be one, as Thou Father [art] in me, and I in Thee; that they also in us may be one, that the world may believe that Thou didst send me.
John 17 22
The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
And the glory which thou hast given me I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one;
`And I, the glory that thou hast given to me, have given to them, that they may be one as we are one;
John 17 23
I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
I in them and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one [and] that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and [that] thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me.
I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be perfected into one, and that the world may know that Thou didst send me, and didst love them as Thou didst love me.
John 17 24
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, [as to] those whom thou hast given me, I desire that where I am they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before [the] foundation of [the] world.
`Father, those whom Thou hast given to me, I will that where I am they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory that Thou didst give to me, because Thou didst love me before the foundation of the world.
John 17 25
Righteous Father, the world didn`t know you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
Righteous Father, -- and the world has not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
`Righteous Father, also the world did not know Thee, and I knew Thee, and these have known that Thou didst send me,
John 17 26
I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."
And I have made known to them thy name, and will make [it] known; that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them.
and I made known to them Thy name, and will make known, that the love with which Thou lovedst me in them may be, and I in them.`


Study Questions...


Explain the process of forgiveness? 17:1-10

Which leper returned? 17:11-19

Where is the kingdom of God? 17:21