March 23, 2017

Feelings and fellowship with God by Gary Rose

Like you, I am a mere human being. I do the things you do, feel the same things you do. I live and someday (a far day, I hope) I will die. God is different: He is eternal, all powerful, perfect in every way and the creator of Human beings like myself. God has expressed his will in the Bible and we must listen to what it says. If not, we distance ourselves from Him and someday will answer for our disobedience.

Consider these Scriptures...


Isaiah, Chapter 44 (World English Bible)
  6 This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel, 
and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says: 
I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. 
(Emp. added, vs. 6b, GDR)
   
7 Who is like me? 
Who will call, 
and will declare it, and set it in order for me, 
since I established the ancient people? 
Let them declare the things that are coming, and that will happen. 

  8 Don’t fear, 
neither be afraid. 
Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? 

You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? 

Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.” 
Hebrews, Chapter 1 (World English Bible)
 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, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
 Matthew, Chapter 17 (World English Bible)
 1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.  2 He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 

  4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

  5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” (Emp. added vs. 5, GDR)
 
John, Chapter 12 (World English Bible)
  44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.   45  He who sees me sees him who sent me.   46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.   47  If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.   48  He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day.   49  For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.   50  I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.” (Emp. added vss. 44-50, GDR)
 Revelation, Chapter 22 (World English Bible)
   12  “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.   13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Emp. added vs. 13, GDR)  14  Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.   15  Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.   16  I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 

  17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.  18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree
of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
(Emp. added vss. 18, 19 GDR)
Why would a person argue with God? Why would someone place their own opinion above God stated desires? Why would someone purposely disobey God's plainly stated words? Why?
I can only guess the answer to these questions, but the consequences of disobedience are eternal.  Don't let your feelings keep you from being in fellowship with God. Love God, listen to what He has told you to do (before its too late) and enjoy the love of God now and forever!!!

Bible Reading March 23 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading March 23 (World English Bible)

Mar. 23
Leviticus 1, 2
Lev 1:1 Yahweh called to Moses, and spoke to him out of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
Lev 1:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When anyone of you offers an offering to Yahweh, you shall offer your offering of the livestock, from the herd and from the flock.
Lev 1:3 " 'If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Yahweh.
Lev 1:4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Lev 1:5 He shall kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, shall present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Lev 1:6 He shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into pieces.
Lev 1:7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order on the fire;
Lev 1:8 and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar;
Lev 1:9 but its innards and its legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall burn the whole on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 1:10 " 'If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep, or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male without blemish.
Lev 1:11 He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Lev 1:12 He shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat. The priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar,
Lev 1:13 but the innards and the legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 1:14 " 'If his offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall offer his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Lev 1:15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar;
Lev 1:16 and he shall take away its crop with its filth, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes.
Lev 1:17 He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 2:1 " 'When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
Lev 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 2:3 That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a most holy thing of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
Lev 2:4 " 'When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
Lev 2:5 If your offering is a meal offering of the griddle, it shall be of unleavened fine flour, mixed with oil.
Lev 2:6 You shall cut it in pieces, and pour oil on it. It is a meal offering.
Lev 2:7 If your offering is a meal offering of the pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
Lev 2:8 You shall bring the meal offering that is made of these things to Yahweh: and it shall be presented to the priest, and he shall bring it to the altar.
Lev 2:9 The priest shall take from the meal offering its memorial, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Lev 2:10 That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a thing most holy of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.
Lev 2:11 " 'No meal offering, which you shall offer to Yahweh, shall be made with yeast; for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Lev 2:12 As an offering of firstfruits you shall offer them to Yahweh: but they shall not ascend for a pleasant aroma on the altar.
Lev 2:13 Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt; neither shall you allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
Lev 2:14 " 'If you offer a meal offering of first fruits to Yahweh, you shall offer for the meal offering of your first fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear.
Lev 2:15 You shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it: it is a meal offering.
Lev 2:16 The priest shall burn as its memorial, part of its bruised grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Mar. 23, 24
Mark 14
Mar 14:1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.
Mar 14:2 For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
Mar 14:3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard-very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.
Mar 14:4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
Mar 14:5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
Mar 14:7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.
Mar 14:8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Mar 14:9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."
Mar 14:10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.
Mar 14:11 They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.
Mar 14:12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Passover?"
Mar 14:13 He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,
Mar 14:14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" '
Mar 14:15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."
Mar 14:16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Mar 14:17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.
Mar 14:18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me-he who eats with me."
Mar 14:19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"
Mar 14:20 He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
Mar 14:21 For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
Mar 14:22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."
Mar 14:23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
Mar 14:24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
Mar 14:25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."
Mar 14:26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mar 14:27 Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
Mar 14:28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
Mar 14:29 But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."
Mar 14:30 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
Mar 14:31 But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.
Mar 14:32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray."
Mar 14:33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
Mar 14:34 He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."
Mar 14:35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
Mar 14:36 He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."
Mar 14:37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour?
Mar 14:38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mar 14:39 Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.
Mar 14:40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him.
Mar 14:41 He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mar 14:42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."
Mar 14:43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came-and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Mar 14:44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."
Mar 14:45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Mar 14:46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
Mar 14:47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Mar 14:48 Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
Mar 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."
Mar 14:50 They all left him, and fled.
Mar 14:51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,
Mar 14:52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Mar 14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
Mar 14:54 Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
Mar 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
Mar 14:56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other.
Mar 14:57 Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,
Mar 14:58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.' "
Mar 14:59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.
Mar 14:60 The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"
Mar 14:61 But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Mar 14:62 Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."
Mar 14:63 The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?
Mar 14:64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
Mar 14:65 Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
Mar 14:66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,
Mar 14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!"
Mar 14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
Mar 14:69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them."
Mar 14:70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."
Mar 14:71 But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!"
Mar 14:72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.