August 17, 2015

From Gary... New beginnings


Things change; this is a fact!!! Clearly, this is not the 1950's or the 1960's or even the 1970's.  Those born today live in a different world than I was exposed to in the 1950's and following.  And some things are better and some NOT!!!  The statement of the picture above is both true and false at the same time. True, from a human perspective; false from a godly one. Our society is in love with technology and that has changed how we do things (and will continue to do so). However, human beings have not changed; they just sin with different tools. 

The way to heaven is not changed!!!

Acts, Chapter 2 (WEB)
 1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.  2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.  4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.  6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.  7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans?  8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?  9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,  10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,  11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”  12 They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?”  13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” 

  14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.  15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.  16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 

  17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions.
Your old men will dream dreams.
  18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
  19 I will show wonders in the sky above,
and signs on the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
  20 The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
  21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
  22  “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know,  23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;  24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.  25 For David says concerning him, 
‘I saw the Lord always before my face,
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
  26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;
  27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades,
neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
  28 You made known to me the ways of life.
You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

  29  “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,  31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.  33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.  34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,
  35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

  36  “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 
  37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 


  38  Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 


  41  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.  42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.  43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common.  45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.  46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,  47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

 
Truth remains unchanged!!!

Galatians, Chapter 1 (WEB)
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),  2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:  3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,  4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—  5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 

  6  I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;  7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.  8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.  9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

So, use whatever communication mediums you feel comfortable with... books, audio tapes, digital recordings, videos, facebook, twitter and yes, even one of the thousands upon thousands of websites on the internet. But, when you do, remember to filter whatever you are exposed to through the lens of the truth of God, because that will never change!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading August 17


Bible Reading 
August 17

The World English Bible


Aug. 17
Job 5-8
Job 5:1 "Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
Job 5:2 For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.
Job 5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
Job 5:4 His children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,
Job 5:5 whose harvest the hungry eats up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.
Job 5:6 For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;
Job 5:7 but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Job 5:8 "But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God,
Job 5:9 who does great things that can't be fathomed, marvelous things without number;
Job 5:10 who gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields;
Job 5:11 so that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.
Job 5:12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can't perform their enterprise.
Job 5:13 He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.
Job 5:14 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night.
Job 5:15 But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.
Job 5:16 So the poor has hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.
Job 5:17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
Job 5:18 For he wounds, and binds up. He injures, and his hands make whole.
Job 5:19 He will deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you.
Job 5:20 In famine he will redeem you from death; in war, from the power of the sword.
Job 5:21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes.
Job 5:22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, neither shall you be afraid of the animals of the earth.
Job 5:23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field. The animals of the field shall be at peace with you.
Job 5:24 You shall know that your tent is in peace. You shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing.
Job 5:25 You shall know also that your seed shall be great, Your offspring as the grass of the earth.
Job 5:26 You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.
Job 5:27 Look this, we have searched it, so it is. Hear it, and know it for your good."
Job 6:1 Then Job answered,
Job 6:2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Job 6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
Job 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Job 6:6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Job 6:7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
Job 6:8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
Job 6:9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Job 6:10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
Job 6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
Job 6:13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
Job 6:14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Job 6:15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
Job 6:16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Job 6:17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
Job 6:18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
Job 6:19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
Job 6:20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
Job 6:21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
Job 6:22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
Job 6:23 or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'
Job 6:24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Job 6:25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
Job 6:26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Job 6:27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Job 6:28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
Job 6:29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Job 6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
Job 7:1 "Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?
Job 7:2 As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,
Job 7:3 so am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.
Job 7:4 When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.
Job 7:5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.
Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
Job 7:7 Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.
Job 7:8 The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.
Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more.
Job 7:10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
Job 7:11 "Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Job 7:12 Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard over me?
Job 7:13 When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me. My couch shall ease my complaint;'
Job 7:14 then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:
Job 7:15 so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.
Job 7:16 I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
Job 7:17 What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,
Job 7:18 that you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?
Job 7:19 How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?
Job 7:20 If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?
Job 7:21 Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."
Job 8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
Job 8:2 "How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
Job 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?
Job 8:4 If your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.
Job 8:5 If you want to seek God diligently, make your supplication to the Almighty.
Job 8:6 If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
Job 8:7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
Job 8:8 "Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.
Job 8:9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)
Job 8:10 Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
Job 8:11 "Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?
Job 8:12 While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.
Job 8:13 So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,
Job 8:14 Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.
Job 8:15 He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.
Job 8:16 He is green before the sun. His shoots go forth over his garden.
Job 8:17 His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.
Job 8:18 If he is destroyed from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.'
Job 8:19 Behold, this is the joy of his way: out of the earth, others shall spring.
Job 8:20 "Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.
Job 8:21 He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.
Job 8:22 Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more."


Aug. 17, 18
Acts 27

Act 27:1 When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
Act 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Act 27:3 The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.
Act 27:4 Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Act 27:5 When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
Act 27:6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on board.
Act 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.
Act 27:8 With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
Act 27:9 When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them,
Act 27:10 and said to them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."
Act 27:11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.
Act 27:12 Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.
Act 27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.
Act 27:14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.
Act 27:15 When the ship was caught, and couldn't face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along.
Act 27:16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.
Act 27:17 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.
Act 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.
Act 27:19 On the third day, they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands.
Act 27:20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
Act 27:21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.
Act 27:22 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Act 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,
Act 27:24 saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'
Act 27:25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.
Act 27:26 But we must run aground on a certain island."
Act 27:27 But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.
Act 27:28 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.
Act 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight.
Act 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,
Act 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these stay in the ship, you can't be saved."
Act 27:32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.
Act 27:33 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
Act 27:34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads."
Act 27:35 When he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to eat.
Act 27:36 Then they all cheered up, and they also took food.
Act 27:37 In all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship.
Act 27:38 When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Act 27:39 When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.
Act 27:40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
Act 27:41 But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.
Act 27:42 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.
Act 27:43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;
Act 27:44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land.