From Gary... Timing is EVERYTHING

When I worked for Degussa, a group of us used to meet in the biocides lab in the morning for the "unveiling". One of the chemists there had a daily calendar from Gary Larson's "Far Side" and made a production out of ripping off a page to read the latest cartoon.  And, sometimes they were VERY FUNNY!!!  One of the members of this little group was a field technical service representative, whose name escapes me for the moment (I will probably remember it before I go to bed tonight).  He had a saying:"Timing is EVERYTHING".  And, to a certain extent this is true. Positively true for the person who took this picture. But, hey, sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time.  The other day, Jay Whalen, who was my next door neighbor when we lived in Jamesburg, NJ, made a comment about one of my posts.  It seemed like "old times" to hear from him and so this morning when I looked at this picture, I was reminded that on Friday evenings about 7 p.m. the planes headed North (to New York City?) would fly over head.  So, we could have possibly taken a shot like the one above - who knows?  Sometimes, the impossible becomes reality and it God's case he can do ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT VIOLATE HIS NATURE!!!  This includes predicting the future and working in ways that are beyond our feeble capability to understand.  Admittedly, some of this is difficult to take in, but read on anyway...

Daniel, Chapter 9

 24 Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.  25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26 After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One shall be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its end shall be with a flood, and even to the end shall be war; desolations are determined.  27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate. 

Acts, Chapter 1

 1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,  2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.  4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.   5  For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

  6  Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 

  7  He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.   8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” 

  9  When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,  11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.” 

Galatians, Chapter 4

 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;  2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.  3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.  4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.  6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”  7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Hebrews, Chapter 1

  1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.  3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.  5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, 

“You are my Son.

Today have I become your father?”

and again, 

“I will be to him a Father,

and he will be to me a Son?”

Bottom line, God said the Messiah would come and HE DID.  Not as an Earthly king as the Jews envisioned, but rather in a very humble way.  I have heard people rail against the Jews of Jesus' day because of the hardness of their hearts, but please try to be a bit forgiving; they just understood incorrectly.  For those who did (and will) correctly  understand, heaven awaits and when we are in heaven, I am sure God will explain everything to us.  But, for now, just realize that God has everything under control and will work things out - in his own time!!!

From Mark Copeland... The Danger Of Religious Holidays (Galatians 4:8-11)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

               The Danger Of Religious Holidays (4:8-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. The observance of holidays is a common feature in many religions...
   a. Judaism and Islam have their many feast days and holy days
   b. Catholicism and Protestantism are known for their holidays like
      Christmas and Easter

2. Holidays in New Testament Christianity, on the other hand, are
   strikingly absent...
   a. The church did assemble on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to observe the
      Lord's Supper
   b. But there is no record of celebrating any holiday like Christmas,
      Easter, Lent, etc.

3. In fact, Christians were warned regarding religious holidays...
   a. Not to let others judge them regarding their observance - Col 2:
      16-17
   b. Concern was expressed regarding those who observed them - Ga 4:
      10-11

4. One might wonder regarding the New Testament and religious
   holidays...
   a. Why didn't the early church observe such holidays?
   b. Why was Paul concerned about their observance?
   c. Are there circumstances when Christians might observe religious
      holidays?

[To answer such questions, let's take a closer look at Ga 4:8-10 where
we learn...]

I. THEY CAN ENDANGER OUR LIBERTY IN CHRIST

   A. THEY ARE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS OF RELIGION...
      1. Paul refers to rites and ceremonies, such as found in Judaism
         and paganism
         a. He has in mind those who have come out of paganism - Ga 4:
            8-9
         b. Who evidently were being encouraged to observe elements of
            Judaism - Ga 4:10
      2. Mentioned specifically were those found in the Law of Moses
         - Ga 4:10
         a. Days - e.g., the Sabbath
         b. Months - e.g., the new moons
         c. Seasons - e.g., festivals like the Passover, Feast of
            Tabernacles, Pentecost
         d. Years - e.g., annual atonement, sabbatical years, jubilees
      3. They are described as weak and beggarly elements - Ga 4:9
         a. Weak - powerless to save the soul or justify the sinner
            - cf. Col 2:20-23
         b. Beggarly - unable to impart true spiritual riches - cf. Ep 1:3
         c. Elements - rudimentary, designed to be replaced - cf. Col 2:
            16-17; He 9:9-10
      -- Religious days, like other elements of the Law of Moses, were
         carnal ordinances designed to be replaced with a more spiritual
         form of worship - cf. Jn 4:20-24

   B. THEY CAN BRING ONE INTO BONDAGE...
      1. Those under the Law were under guard
         a. Like children under guardians and stewards - cf. Ga 3:23; 4:
            1-2
         b. In bondage to the elements of the world - cf. Ga 4:3
      2. Those in Christ had been redeemed (set free)
         a. God sent His Son for this very purpose - cf. Ga 4:4-5
         b. They had become sons and heirs - cf. Ga 4:6-7
      -- Observing religious holidays can be a return to bondage, when
         Christ came to set us free! - Ga 4:9-10

[Many believe observing holy days enhances their faith, when in fact it
can be a step backward from true spirituality!  From Ga 4:11, we learn
something else about the danger of religious holidays...]

II. THEY CAN ENDANGER OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST

   A. APOSTASY IS POSSIBLE...
      1. Otherwise, why would Paul be fearful?
         a. Doubtful over their condition? - Ga 4:11,20
         b. Aware of the possibility of his own apostasy? - cf. 1Co 9:27
      2. The Bible teaches one can fall from grace
         a. In the book of Hebrews - He 12:15; cf. He 3:12-14
         b. And in many other places - cf. Jn 15:2,6; 2Pe 2:20-22; 3:
            17-18; Re 2:5
      -- If we observe religious holidays based on the Law of Moses out
         of a sense of necessity for our salvation, then we have fallen
         from grace! - cf. Ga 5:4

   B. WORSHIP CAN BE IN VAIN...
      1. Paul described the vanity of "self-imposed religion" - cf. Co
         2:20-23
         a. Based on the commandments and ordinances of men
         b. Which were of no true value against the indulgence of the
            flesh
      2. Jesus warned against vain worship - Mt 15:9
         a. Such worship is based on doctrines commanded by men
         b. Especially when its observance displaces the commandment of
            God - cf. Mt 15:3-8
      -- If we impose religious holidays through man-made traditions,
         then we offer worship that is in vain!

[Perhaps we can see why observance of holy days was a major concern to
Paul.  But we should also note that he wrote of...]

III. CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY MIGHT BE OBSERVED

   A. ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS...
      1. Paul spoke of one observing a day above another - Ro 14:5-6
         a. Likely a reference to the Sabbath Day
         b. But generic enough to refer to exalting any day above
            another for religious purposes
         c. In the context, it appears to have been something allowed a
            weak brother
      2. Paul himself observed certain rites of Judaism
         a. He took vows, sought to attend the feasts in Jerusalem - 

            Ac 18:18,21; 20:16
         b. On one occasion, he even helped the completion of a vow
            involving animal sacrifices, evidently to accommodate weaker
            brethren - Ac 21:17-26; cf. Num 6:1-20
      -- Note carefully:  these were things done on an individual basis,
         not as a work or the worship of the church

   B. AWARE OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS...
      1. They cannot save one, they cannot be done for the purpose of
         salvation
         a. This was the issue of the controversy in Antioch - cf. Ac 15:1,5
         b. This was Paul's point in Galatians - cf. Ga 5:4
      2. They cannot be imposed on others
         a. This was the conclusion of council in Jerusalem - cf. Ac 15:
            10-11
         b. This was illustrated by Paul in Galatians - cf. Ga 2:3-5
      -- Note carefully:  this is why religious holidays should not be
         church functions:  lest they leave the impression they are
         necessary, plus such functions are necessarily imposed on
         others

CONCLUSION

1. Christians need to be careful about their liberty in Christ... - cf.
   Ga 5:1
   a. Jewish Christians have been redeemed from the bondage of the Law
   b. Gentile Christians have been redeemed from the bondage of weak and
      beggarly elements

2. What liberty we have in Christ must be handled carefully... - cf. Ga 5:13-16.
   a. We should be careful not to impose our liberty in ways that cause
      division
   b. We should progress to a higher plane of spirituality, not regress
      to carnal forms of religion

What about your observance of religious holidays?  If Paul wrote to you
today, would he say: "I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you
in vain."...? - Ga 4:11

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 12:38-39: Give us a Sign

Matthew 12:38-39: Give us a Sign

When the Jews asked for signs they weren’t just asking for some gob-smacking wonders that dazzled them. They wanted something to show that God was on their side! They’d seen a lot of miracles from Jesus (compare Acts 2:22 and Matthew 11:22-24) and instead of receiving him as the Messiah the miracles became the very reason they should kill him (John 11:47-48). They didn’t want signs to prove that he was the Messiah! They wanted assurance that God was about to do what they wanted done and if Christ produced signs like that he would be the kind of Messiah they would want. They had an agenda, their God would see that that agenda was accomplished and if Jesus made their case with signs then they’d throw their lot in with him.

Healing people on the Sabbath couldn’t be a sign from God because it violated the vision they had of God. The God of their Sabbath wouldn’t do the things this Jesus was doing. Above all things the Jewish Sabbath marked them out as the elect of God but their Sabbath and this alleged Messiah’s Sabbath were light years and a whole world apart. So it was their views against views of Jesus Christ that really came into conflict and because that was the case the works of Jesus, which he said were the works of God, had to be from another source—Satan.

God wouldn’t do such things! God wouldn’t do such things, they said! They said this not because the deeds weren’t happening—they were happening and they couldn’t deny it! They said God wouldn’t so such things because they had created a God in the image of their own views, and before they’d change their views they’d change God.

Not only could God not come dragging a cross—that was scandalous—he couldn’t come violating his own purity and sabbatical laws. Not only could God not send a Messiah who’d end up a loser in a conflict with Rome he couldn’t send a Messiah who would undermine the religious structures that identified Israel as Israel, the elect nation of God.

The upshot of it all was that what they saw before their eyes couldn’t be the work of God. But there was the reality, what would they do with it? How about ignoring it and saying nothing? That wouldn’t work because everyone was talking about it. Say it was the Devil that did it. Where it was possible explain it as something natural (that would mean it wasn’t the work of God, don’t you know). Do whatever you have to do with it just as long as you keep God out of it!

"An evil and an adulterous generation seeks a sign," said the Christ (Matthew 12:39) but the only sign they would get was the kind they didn’t want, the kind that didn’t fit into their theological structures, the kind that spoke of their failure.

But had they had the heart to see they would have seen that the awful events of Golgotha was the most profound assurance the human heart could have wanted. All this dismissed because they had their own religious worldview.

It’s astonishing what we build our views of God on. Some say God couldn’t have done this or that because God wouldn’t work on the Sabbath. Others say God couldn’t have done this or that because God wouldn’t take away a little granddaughter’s favourite playmate and baby-sitter. Some say God couldn’t have done this or that because it would undermine our religious platform. Others say God wouldn’t do this or that because people might be offended at him and turn away from him.

"Give us a sign."..."No, not one like that, try again."...No, that won't work either, try again."..."look, let me tell you what I believe, now work a sign that fits into that."..."Oh, you won't? Well, you don't suit me. There's got to be another god around I can be happy with."

©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 September 7

Bible Reading and Study    

September 7

The World English Bible

Sept. 7

Psalms 46-48

Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 46:2 Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

Psa 46:3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.

Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

Psa 46:5 God is in her midst. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.

Psa 46:6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted.

Psa 46:7 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psa 46:8 Come, see Yahweh's works, what desolations he has made in the earth.

Psa 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.

Psa 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

Psa 46:11 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psa 47:1 Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

Psa 47:2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

Psa 47:3 He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.

Psa 47:4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Psa 47:5 God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.

Psa 47:6 Sing praise to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

Psa 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

Psa 47:8 God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

Psa 47:9 The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!

Psa 48:1 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Psa 48:2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.

Psa 48:3 God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

Psa 48:4 For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.

Psa 48:5 They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.

Psa 48:6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.

Psa 48:7 With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.

Psa 48:8 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. Selah.

Psa 48:9 We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your temple.

Psa 48:10 As is your name, God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.

Psa 48:11 Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments.

Psa 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers.

Psa 48:13 Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.

Psa 48:14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Psalms

Psalms 46 1

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

{To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. On Alamoth. A song.} God is our refuge and

strength, a help in distresses, very readily found.

To the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. `For the Virgins.` -- A song. God [is] to us a

refuge and strength, A help in adversities found most surely.

Psalms 46 2

Therefore will we not be afraid, though the earth changes, Though the mountains are shaken

into the heart of the seas;

Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be

carried into the heart of the seas;

Therefore we fear not in the changing of earth, And in the slipping of mountains

Into the heart of the seas.

Psalms 46 3

Though the waters of it roar and are troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the

swelling of it. Selah.

Though the waters thereof roar [and] foam, though the mountains shake with the

swelling thereof. Selah.

Roar -- troubled are its waters, Mountains they shake in its pride. Selah.

Psalms 46 4

There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, The holy place of the tents of

the Most High.

There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the sanctuary of the

habitations of the Most High.

A river -- its rivulets rejoice the city of God, Thy holy place of the tabernacles of

the Most High.

Psalms 46 5

God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her at the dawn of the

morning.

God [is] in her midst -- she is not moved, God doth help her at the turn of the morn!

Psalms 46 6

The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He uttered his voice, and the earth melted.

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Troubled have been nations, Moved have been kingdoms, He hath given forth with

His voice, earth melteth.

Psalms 46 7

Yahweh of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Jehovah of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high fortress. Selah.

Jehovah of Hosts [is] with us, A tower for us [is] the God of Jacob. Selah.

Psalms 46 8

Come, see the works of Yahweh, What desolations he has made in the earth.

Come, behold the works of Jehovah, what desolations he hath made in the earth:

Come ye, see the works of Jehovah, Who hath done astonishing things in the earth,

Psalms 46 9

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear apart. He

burns the chariots in the fire.

He hath made wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth

the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariots in the fire.

Causing wars to cease, Unto the end of the earth, the bow he shivereth, And the

spear He hath cut asunder, Chariots he doth burn with fire.

Psalms 46 10

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the

earth."

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in

the earth.

Desist, and know that I [am] God, I am exalted among nations, I am exalted in the

earth.

Psalms 46 11

Yahweh of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 47 For the

Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

Jehovah of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high fortress. Selah.

Jehovah of hosts [is] with us, A tower for us [is] the God of Jacob! Selah.

Psalms 47 1

Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

{To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.} All ye peoples, clap your hands;

shout unto God with the voice of triumph!

To the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. A Psalm. All ye peoples, clap the hand, Shout

to God with a voice of singing,

Psalms 47 2

For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

For Jehovah, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.

For Jehovah Most High [is] fearful, A great king over all the earth.

Psalms 47 3

He subdues nations under us, And peoples under our feet.

He subdueth the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.

He leadeth peoples under us, and nations under our feet.

Psalms 47 4

He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

He hath chosen our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

He doth choose for us our inheritance, The excellency of Jacob that He loves. Selah.

Psalms 47 5

God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.

God is gone up amid shouting, Jehovah amid the sound of the trumpet.

God hath gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet.

Psalms 47 6

Sing praise to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

Sing psalms of God, sing psalms; sing psalms unto our King, sing psalms!

Praise God -- praise -- give praise to our king, praise.

Psalms 47 7

For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

For God is the King of all the earth; sing psalms with understanding.

For king of all the earth [is] God, Give praise, O understanding one.

Psalms 47 8

God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

God reigneth over the nations; God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

God hath reigned over nations, God hath sat on His holy throne,

Psalms 47 9

The princes of the peoples are gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the

shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted! Psalm 48 A Song. A Psalm by the

sons of Korah.

The willing-hearted of the peoples have gathered together, [with] the people of the God

of Abraham. For unto God [belong] the shields of the earth: he is greatly exalted.

Nobles of peoples have been gathered, [With] the people of the God of Abraham, For

to God [are] the shields of earth, Greatly hath He been exalted!

Psalms 48 1

Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

{A Song; a Psalm. Of the sons of Korah.} Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised in the

city of our God, in the hill of his holiness.

A Song, a Psalm, by sons of Korah. Great [is] Jehovah, and praised greatly, In the

city of our God -- His holy hill.

Psalms 48 2

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion, on the north sides, The city

of the great King.

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, [on] the sides of the

north, the city of the great King.

Beautiful [for] elevation, A joy of all the land, [is] Mount Zion, The sides of the

north, the city of a great king.

Psalms 48 3

God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

God is known in her palaces as a high fortress.

God in her high places is known for a tower.

Psalms 48 4

For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

For behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together;

For, lo, the kings met, they passed by together,

Psalms 48 5

They saw it, then were they amazed. They were dismayed, They hurried away.

They saw, -- so they marvelled; they were troubled, they fled in consternation:

They have seen -- so they have marvelled, They have been troubled, they were

hastened away.

Psalms 48 6

Trembling took hold of them there, Pain, as of a woman in travail.

Trembling took hold upon them there; anguish, as of a woman in travail.

Trembling hath seized them there, Pain, as of a travailing woman.

Psalms 48 7

With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.

With an east wind thou hast broken the ships of Tarshish.

By an east wind Thou shiverest ships of Tarshish.

Psalms 48 8

As we have heard, so have we seen, In the city of Yahweh of Hosts, in the city of our God. God

will establish it forever. Selah.

As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God:

God doth establish it for ever. Selah.

As we have heard, so we have seen, In the city of Jehovah of hosts, In the city of our

God, God doth establish her -- to the age. Selah.

Psalms 48 9

We have thought about your lovingkindness, God, In the midst of your temple.

We have thought, O God, of thy loving-kindness, in the midst of thy temple.

We have thought, O God, of Thy kindness, In the midst of Thy temple,

Psalms 48 10

As is your name, God, So is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of

righteousness.

According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand

is full of righteousness.

As [is] Thy name, O God, so [is] Thy praise, Over the ends of the earth,

Righteousness hath filled Thy right hand.

Psalms 48 11

Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments.

Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

Rejoice doth Mount Zion, The daughters of Judah are joyful, For the sake of Thy

judgments.

Psalms 48 12

Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number the towers of it;

Walk about Zion, and go round about her: count the towers thereof;

Compass Zion, and go round her, count her towers,

Psalms 48 13

Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, That you may tell it to the next generation.

Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces: that ye may tell it to the generation

following.

Set your heart to her bulwark, Consider her high places, So that ye recount to a

later generation,

Psalms 48 14

For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death. Psalm 49 For

the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide until death.

That this God [is] our God -- To the age and for ever, He -- he doth lead us over

death!

 

Study Questions

Who is our stronghold? 46:7

Who is our stronghold? 46:11

How do we praise God? Psalm 47

What is the name of the city of the great king? 48:2

The World English Bible

Sept. 7

1 Corinthians 3

1Co 3:1 Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.

1Co 3:2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren't yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,

1Co 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men?

1Co 3:4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly?

1Co 3:5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?

1Co 3:6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.

1Co 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

1Co 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1Co 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.

1Co 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Co 3:12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;

1Co 3:13 each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.

1Co 3:14 If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.

1Co 3:15 If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

1Co 3:16 Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?

1Co 3:17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.

1Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."

1Co 3:20 And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,

1Co 3:22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,

1Co 3:23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 3 1

Brothers, I couldn`t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babes in Christ.

And *I*, brethren, have not been able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly; as to

babes in Christ.

And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly -- as

to babes in Christ;

1 Corinthians 3 2

I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren`t yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,

I have given you milk to drink, not meat, for ye have not yet been able, nor indeed are ye

yet able;

with milk I fed you, and not with meat, for ye were not yet able, but not even yet

are ye now able,

1 Corinthians 3 3

for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren`t

you fleshly, and don`t you walk in the ways of men?

for ye are yet carnal. For whereas [there are] among you emulation and strife, are ye not

carnal, and walk according to man?

for yet ye are fleshly, for where [there is] among you envying, and strife, and

divisions, are ye not fleshly, and in the manner of men do walk?

1 Corinthians 3 4

For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren`t you fleshly?

For when one says, *I* am of Paul, and another, *I* of Apollos, are ye not men?

for when one may say, `I, indeed, am of Paul;` and another, `I -- of Apollos;` are ye

not fleshly?

1 Corinthians 3 5

Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the

Lord gave to him?

Who then is Apollos, and who Paul? Ministering servants, through whom ye have

believed, and as the Lord has given to each.

Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but ministrants through whom ye did believe,

and to each as the Lord gave?

1 Corinthians 3 6

I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.

*I* have planted; Apollos watered; but God has given the increase.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was giving growth;

1 Corinthians 3 7

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

So that neither the planter is anything, nor the waterer; but God the giver of the

so that neither is he who is planting anything, nor he who is watering, but He

who is giving growth -- God;

1 Corinthians 3 8

Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward

according to his own labor.

But the planter and the waterer are one; but each shall receive his own reward

according to his own labour.

and he who is planting and he who is watering are one, and each his own reward

shall receive, according to his own labour,

1 Corinthians 3 9

For we are God`s fellow workers. You are God`s farming, God`s building.

For we are God`s fellow-workmen; ye are God`s husbandry, God`s building.

for of God we are fellow-workmen; God`s tillage, God`s building ye are.

1 Corinthians 3 10

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a

foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.

According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid

the foundation, but another builds upon it. But let each see how he builds upon it.

According to the grace of God that was given to me, as a wise master-builder, a

foundation I have laid, and another doth build on [it],

1 Corinthians 3 11

For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.

For other foundation can no man lay besides that which [is] laid, which is Jesus Christ.

for other foundation no one is able to lay except that which is laid, which is Jesus

the Christ;

1 Corinthians 3 12

But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;

Now if any one build upon [this] foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass,

straw,

and if any one doth build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood,

hay, straw --

1 Corinthians 3 13

each man`s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and

the fire itself will test what sort of work each man`s work is.

the work of each shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare [it], because it is

revealed in fire; and the fire shall try the work of each what it is.

of each the work shall become manifest, for the day shall declare [it], because in

fire it is revealed, and the work of each, what kind it is, the fire shall prove;

1 Corinthians 3 14

If any man`s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.

If the work of any one which he has built upon [the foundation] shall abide, he shall

receive a reward.

if of any one the work doth remain that he built on [it], a wage he shall receive;

1 Corinthians 3 15

If any man`s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but *he* shall be saved, but

so as through [the] fire.

if of any the work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; and himself shall be saved, but

so as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3 16

Don`t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God`s Spirit lives in you?

Do ye not know that ye are [the] temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you?

have ye not known that ye are a sanctuary of God, and the Spirit of God doth dwell

in you?

1 Corinthians 3 17

If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God`s temple is holy, which you

are.

If any one corrupt the temple of God, *him* shall God destroy; for the temple of God is

holy, and such are *ye*.

if any one the sanctuary of God doth waste, him shall God waste; for the sanctuary

of God is holy, the which ye are.

1 Corinthians 3 18

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him

become a fool, that he may become wise.

Let no one deceive himself: if any one thinks himself to be wise among you in this world,

let him become foolish, that he may be wise.

Let no one deceive himself; if any one doth seem to be wise among you in this age -

- let him become a fool, that he may become wise,

1 Corinthians 3 19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in

their craftiness."

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He who takes the

wise in their craftiness.

for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it hath been written,

`Who is taking the wise in their craftiness;`

1 Corinthians 3 20

And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

And again, [The] Lord knows the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.

and again, `The Lord doth know the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.`

1 Corinthians 3 21

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,

So that let no one boast in men; for all things are yours.

So then, let no one glory in men, for all things are yours,

1 Corinthians 3 22

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things

to come. All are yours,

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or [the] world, or life, or death, or things present, or

things coming, all are yours;

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things

present, or things about to be -- all are yours,

1 Corinthians 3 23

and you are Christ`s, and Christ is God`s.

and *ye* [are] Christ`s, and Christ [is] God`s.

and ye [are] Christ`s, and Christ [is] God`s.

Study Questions

Who causes growth? 3:6