On display by Gary Rose

What in the world could these animals be looking at?  I don't have a clue is my answer.  If I were to guess- I would say someone in the kitchen, but this is only a guess. In today's world, we are tracked, monitored in many different ways, almost to the point that everyone's life is an "open book". I wonder, has it always been this way, or is it just an artifact of living in the 21st century? And then these Scriptures came to mind. (I know, this is a lot to read, but it is worth it!!!)

Hebrews, Chapter 12 (WEB)

  ¹ Therefore (emp. added GDR) let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,  ² looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  ³ For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.  ⁴ You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.  ⁵ You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, 

“My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; 
  ⁶ for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, 
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

  ⁷ It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?  ⁸ But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children.  ⁹ Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?  ¹⁰ For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.  ¹¹ All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,  ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Hebrews, Chapter 11 (WEB)

  ¹ Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.  ² For by this, the elders obtained testimony.  ³ By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.  ⁴ By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.  ⁵ By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.  ⁶ Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.  ⁷ By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  ⁸ By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.  ⁹ By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.  ¹⁰ For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  ¹¹ By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.  ¹² Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.  ¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  ¹⁵ If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.  ¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

  ¹⁷  By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;  ¹⁸ even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”;   ¹⁹ concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.  ²⁰ By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.  ²¹ By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.  ²² By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.  ²³ By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.  ²⁴ By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  ²⁵ choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;  ²⁶ accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  ²⁷ By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  ²⁸ By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.  ²⁹ By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.  ³⁰ By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.  ³¹ By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.  ³² What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;  ³³ who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.  ³⁵ Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.  ³⁷ They were stoned.They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated  ³⁸ (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. ³⁹ These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise,  ⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 

Christians are on display. The faithful of the ages are watching what we do. So, do what chapter 12 instructs us to do and be as faithful as those of chapter 11.  Personally, I think the whole world is watching us- to see if we are faithful to God in all things, but hey, that is just me.

Humm, when my dog, Pal, watches me today, I just might wonder what HE is thinking about- and what I am doing that makes him so interested!!!

Bible Reading September 26 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading September 26 (WEB)

Sept. 26

Psalms 105-108

Psa 105:1 Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples.

Psa 105:2 Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.

Psa 105:3 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.

Psa 105:4 Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.

Psa 105:5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

Psa 105:6 you seed of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Psa 105:7 He is Yahweh, our God. His judgments are in all the earth.

Psa 105:8 He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,

Psa 105:9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac,

Psa 105:10 and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

Psa 105:11 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;"

Psa 105:12 when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.

Psa 105:13 They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.

Psa 105:14 He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,

Psa 105:15 "Don't touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!"

Psa 105:16 He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.

Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave.

Psa 105:18 They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,

Psa 105:19 until the time that his word happened, and Yahweh's word proved him true.

Psa 105:20 The king sent and freed him; even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.

Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions;

Psa 105:22 to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.

Psa 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt. Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

Psa 105:24 He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.

Psa 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.

Psa 105:26 He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.

Psa 105:27 They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

Psa 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn't rebel against his words.

Psa 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish.

Psa 105:30 Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.

Psa 105:31 He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders.

Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, with lightning in their land.

Psa 105:33 He struck their vines and also their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.

Psa 105:34 He spoke, and the locusts came, and the grasshoppers, without number,

Psa 105:35 ate up every plant in their land; and ate up the fruit of their ground.

Psa 105:36 He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood.

Psa 105:37 He brought them forth with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes.

Psa 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen on them.

Psa 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night.

Psa 105:40 They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky.

Psa 105:41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.

Psa 105:42 For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.

Psa 105:43 He brought forth his people with joy, his chosen with singing.

Psa 105:44 He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession,

Psa 105:45 that they might keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise Yah!

Psa 106:1 Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh, or fully declare all his praise?

Psa 106:3 Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.

Psa 106:4 Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,

Psa 106:5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.

Psa 106:6 We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.

Psa 106:7 Our fathers didn't understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn't remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.

Psa 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power known.

Psa 106:9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.

Psa 106:10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Psa 106:11 The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left.

Psa 106:12 Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.

Psa 106:13 They soon forgot his works. They didn't wait for his counsel,

Psa 106:14 but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.

Psa 106:15 He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

Psa 106:16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, Yahweh's saint.

Psa 106:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Psa 106:18 A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked.

Psa 106:19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image.

Psa 106:20 Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass.

Psa 106:21 They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,

Psa 106:22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea.

Psa 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn't destroy them.

Psa 106:24 Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn't believe his word,

Psa 106:25 but murmured in their tents, and didn't listen to Yahweh's voice.

Psa 106:26 Therefore he swore to them that he would overthrow them in the wilderness,

Psa 106:27 that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, and scatter them in the lands.

Psa 106:28 They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

Psa 106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them.

Psa 106:30 Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped.

Psa 106:31 That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.

Psa 106:32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes;

Psa 106:33 because they were rebellious against his spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips.

Psa 106:34 They didn't destroy the peoples, as Yahweh commanded them,

Psa 106:35 but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works.

Psa 106:36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them.

Psa 106:37 Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.

Psa 106:38 They shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted with blood.

Psa 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds.

Psa 106:40 Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance.

Psa 106:41 He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them.

Psa 106:42 Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand.

Psa 106:43 Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity.

Psa 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.

Psa 106:45 He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

Psa 106:46 He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.

Psa 106:47 Save us, Yahweh, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise!

Psa 106:48 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, "Amen." Praise Yah!

Psa 107:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,

Psa 107:3 And gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.

Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Psa 107:6 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,

Psa 107:7 he led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.

Psa 107:8 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:9 For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.

Psa 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,

Psa 107:11 because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.

Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help.

Psa 107:13 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds in sunder.

Psa 107:15 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:16 For he has broken the gates of brass, and cut through bars of iron.

Psa 107:17 Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.

Psa 107:18 Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.

Psa 107:19 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, he saves them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:20 He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.

Psa 107:21 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with singing.

Psa 107:23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;

Psa 107:24 These see Yahweh's works, and his wonders in the deep.

Psa 107:25 For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.

Psa 107:26 They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.

Psa 107:27 They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Psa 107:28 Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.

Psa 107:29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.

Psa 107:30 Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.

Psa 107:31 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful works for the children of men!

Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.

Psa 107:33 He turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,

Psa 107:34 and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

Psa 107:35 He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.

Psa 107:36 There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,

Psa 107:37 sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.

Psa 107:38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn't allow their livestock to decrease.

Psa 107:39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.

Psa 107:40 He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.

Psa 107:41 Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.

Psa 107:42 The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.

Psa 107:43 Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.

Psa 108:1 My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.

Psa 108:2 Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.

Psa 108:3 I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. I will sing praises to you among the peoples.

Psa 108:4 For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psa 108:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth.

Psa 108:6 That your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us.

Psa 108:7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is my helmet. Judah is my scepter.

Psa 108:9 Moab is my wash pot. I will toss my sandal on Edom. I will shout over Philistia."

Psa 108:10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who has led me to Edom?

Psa 108:11 Haven't you rejected us, God? You don't go forth, God, with our armies.

Psa 108:12 Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.

Psa 108:13 Through God, we will do valiantly. For it is he who will tread down our enemies.

Sept. 26

2 Corinthians 6

2Co 6:1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

2Co 6:2 for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

2Co 6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,

2Co 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

2Co 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

2Co 6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

2Co 6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2Co 6:8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

2Co 6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;

2Co 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2Co 6:11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.

2Co 6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

2Co 6:13 Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.

2Co 6:14 Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16 What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

2Co 6:17 Therefore, " 'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.

2Co 6:18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty."