Biomimicry, Butterflies, and Bank Fraud by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3786

Biomimicry, Butterflies, and Bank Fraud

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

From cocklebur-inspired Velcro® to robotic lobsters, scientists are increasingly looking to imitate the wonders of life. In the field of biomimicry (derived from the Greek words bios, meaning “life,” and mimesis, meaning “to imitate”) scientists, researchers, and engineers worldwide turn their attention to God’s creation to inspire new, intricately designed, man-made products to improve human life and solve various dilemmas.

Recently, professors Mathias Kolle and Ullrich Baumberg of the University of Cambridge studied the microscopic structures in the wing scales of the Swallowtail butterfly in hopes of mimicking its magnificent colors (see “Vivid...,” 2010). The colors of these tropical butterflies are strikingly bright because of the shape of the microscopic structures and because “they are made up of alternate layers of cuticle and air” (“Vivid...”). Amazingly, Kolle and Baumberg have been successful at making “structurally identical copies of the butterfly scales,” purportedly even with “the same vivid colours as the butterflies’ wings.” How exactly do Kolle and Baumberg believe these “color copies” could be used for the benefit of mankind? They believe the artificial structures “could be used to encrypt information in optical signatures on bank notes or other valuable items to protect them against forgery.... [W]e could see structures based on butterflies’ wings shining from a...note or even our passports.”

It is entirely appropriate for scientists to look to nature for the inspiration of their inventions. After all, “the whole Earth is full of His [God’s] glory” (Isaiah 6:3, emp. added). The infinite, omniscient Creator made marvelous, living creatures, including butterflies, for man to use, study, and learn from in this life (Genesis 1:28). Sadly, many scientists today refuse to consider the most important thing to be learned from all of the animals and plants they study and seek to imitate: they all declare the glory of God. Nature did not assemble itself (as Kolle proposed in his discussion of the Swallowtail butterfly). Mindless matter and the random, chance processes of evolution fail on every account to explain the intricate design of even the smallest of living creatures. The designs in nature that intelligent human beings seek to copy demand an adequate explanation; they demand a grand Designer.

For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

REFERENCE

“Vivid Colours of Butterflies Could Help Cut Bank Fraud” (2010), The Economic Times, May 31, http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Vivid-colours-of-butterflies-could-help-cut-bank-fraud/articleshow/5993979.cms.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS" The Pursuit Of Peace And Holiness (12:12-17) by Mark Copeland

"THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

The Pursuit Of Peace And Holiness (12:12-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. In "Running The Race Of Faith" (He 12:1-3), we saw the need to...
   a. Lay aside things that would hinder us, especially the sin of unbelief
   b. Have endurance, even as Jesus endured hostility and the cross
   c. Focus our gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 
      whose own example should encourage us not to become weary and discouraged

2. After reminding his readers of the value of the Lord's chastening, 
   the author of Hebrews returns to the metaphor of "running"...
   a. With a call to "run with style" - He 12:12-13
   b. With instructions to pursue peace and holiness - He 12:14
   c. With a word of caution, appealing to the example of Esau - He 12:15-17

3. One way to describe the Christian "race", then, is "The Pursuit Of Peace And Holiness"
   a. How well are you doing in your pursuit?
   b. Do you know what it is you are to be running after?
   c. Are you aware of the possible pitfalls that can hinder you?

[To encourage excellence in regards to our pursuit, let's take a closer
look at the passage, beginning with...]

I. MAKING PREPARATION FOR OUR PURSUIT (12-13)

   A. A CALL TO "RUN WITH STYLE"...
      1. We are to "strengthen"...
         a. "the hands which hang down"
         b. "the feeble knees"
         -- A common figure of speech (Job 4:3-4; Isa 35:3), calling us
            to shake off all weariness, to be firm and strong
      2. We are to "make straight paths" for our feet, so that...
         a. "what is lame may not be dislocated"
         b. "but rather be healed"
         -- Another common expression (Isa 40:3-4), encouraging us to
            remove all that would hinder our progress (especially if we are weak)

   B. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CALL...
      1. First, we must respond to this call to action
         a. This is something "we" are being called to do
         b. We can't expect God to do it all!
         c. While God will certainly help us, we must make the effort - cf. Php 2:12-13
      2. This call to action is not limited to strengthening just yourself
         a. Certainly there is the personal application
         b. But as concerned Christians, we should seek to:
            1) "strengthen the hands...and feeble knees" of others
            2) "make straight paths" for others - cf. 1Th 5:14
         c. Just as those who are "spiritual" should be concerned for 
            the weakness of others - Ga 6:1

[In a way, this call is similar to the one the Lord gave to Joshua 
(Josh 1:6-9), which Joshua later gave to Israel (Josh 23:6,11). Shall
we heed the call to "be strong and very courageous", i.e., to "run with style"?

Now, for some thoughts about...]  

II. THE GOAL OF OUR PURSUIT (14)

   A. PEACE WITH ALL MEN...
      1. We should not be surprised to read that we are to "pursue peace..."
         a. Jesus is "The Prince of Peace" - Isa 9:6
         b. He died to make peace possible:  with God, and with man - Ro 5:1; Ep 2:13-17
         c. He taught that peacemakers will be called the children of God - Mt 5:9
         d. A key element of the kingdom of God is peace - Ro 14:17-18
         -- Therefore, we are to pursue peace with all men - Ro 14:19;12:18
      2. How does one "pursue peace with all men"?
         a. By seeking peace with God first - Prov 16:7
            1) We must first make our relationship with God what it ought to be
            2) Through Jesus, we can be at peace with God - Ro 5:1
         b. Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts - Col 3:15
            1) The Lord is able to "give you peace always in every way" - 2Th 3:16
            2) How the Lord imparts peace:
               a) Through His Word - Ps 119:165
               b) Through prayer - Php 4:6-7
            -- If one is not at peace with himself, it is unlikely he 
               can be at peace with others
         c. By doing things that make for peace - Ro 14:19
            1) Such as being considerate of their conscience - Ro 14:13-21
            2) Seeking unity with compassion, love, tenderness, and
               courtesy; willing to respond to evil or reviling with a 
               blessing - cf. 1Pe 3:8-11

   B. HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD...
      1. As God is holy, so His children must be holy - 1Pe 1:14-16; 1Th 4:7
      2. How can one "pursue holiness..."?
         a. True holiness (sanctification) comes through:
            1) Faith in Jesus - Ac 26:18; cf. He 10:10,14
            2) The work of the Holy Spirit - 1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; cf. Tit 3:5
            3) The Word of God - Jn 17:17,19
         b. We cooperate with God in pursuing holiness by:
            1) Offering ourselves as "slaves of righteousness" - Ro 6:19-22
            2) Perfecting holiness in the fear of God - 2Co 7:1
               a) Which includes cleansing ourselves from all 
                  "filthiness of the flesh and spirit" - 2Co 7:1
               b) Also putting on the "new man...in true righteousness 
                  and holiness" - Ep 4:24; cf. Col 3:9-14

[In many respects, this is what the Christian life is all about:  
pursuing peace and holiness!  How successful we are will depend on how diligently we avoid...]

III. PITFALLS THAT HINDER OUR PURSUIT (15-17)

   A. FALLING SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD...
      1. Without God's grace, none can be saved, pursue peace, or have
         the holiness necessary to see God!
      2. But do Christians need to concern themselves with falling from grace?  Consider...
         a. The warning not to neglect our great salvation - He 2:1-3
         b. The warning not to be hardened by sin - He 3:12-14
         c. The warning to be diligent - He 4:1,11; cf. 2Pe 1:10
         d. The warning against willful sin - He 10:26-31
         e. The warning not receive God's grace in vain - 2Co 6:1
         f. The warning not to fall from grace - Ga 5:4
         g. The warning to "look to yourselves, that we do not lose
            those things we worked for..." - 2Jn 8
         -- Indeed, if there were no possibility for one to "fall short
            of the grace of God", then there would be no need for us to be "looking diligently"
      3. For the Christian, however, God's grace can be just a prayer away! - cf. He 4:16

   B. LETTING A ROOT OF BITTERNESS TO SPRING UP...
      1. Bitterness can be a stumbling block in our pursuit of peace
         a. It destroys the peace within the person who harbors it 
            (modern medicine has shown that emotions like bitterness 
            and anger can cause problems such as headaches, backaches,
            allergic disorders, ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart attacks, etc.)
         b. It can destroy the peace in the congregation where it becomes manifest
      2. It also becomes a stumbling block in our pursuit of holiness,
         for the problems it creates cause many to become "defiled" (unholy)
      -- If we are going to "make straight paths for your feet", then 
         we need to clip any root of bitterness "in the bud"!

   C. BECOMING A FORNICATOR OR PROFANE PERSON...
      1. Fornication is certainly a pitfall to avoid...
         a. Fornication is a generic term for any sort of sexual 
            immorality (including pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, etc.)
         b. It is contrary to God's will regarding our sanctification - 1Th 4:3-8
            1) Later, we will read in Hebrews where God will judge fornicators - He 13:4
            2) It will keep one out of the kingdom of heaven - 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21
         -- Therefore, let us "Flee fornication!" - 1Co 6:18
      2. We must also not become a "profane person"...
         a. "A worldly person who profanes holy privileges by placing
            on them a worldly estimate." (B. W. Johnson)
         b. One does not have to overtly wicked; they can displease God
            by simply devaluing that which is important to Him!
         c. Such was the case with Esau... - cf. Gen 25:29-34
            1) There is no indication that he was a fornicator
            2) But he was a profane person because he did not proper 
               estimate the value of his birthright
            3) Though he later wanted the blessings of the birthright,
               it was too late; despite his tears, it was too late to 
               change his father's mind ("he found no place for repentance")
         d. We can become "profane" by devaluing our spiritual blessings...
            1) In Christ, we have a spiritual birthright (redemption, 
               fellowship with God, the hope of eternal life)
            2) But we can let careers, hobbies, friends, even families,
               come between us and the things of God
            -- Are we willing to "sell our birthright" for "one morsel of food"?

CONCLUSION

1. As we run the race of faith, peace with others and holiness before 
   God should be our goal

2. To run the race with "style", we need to...
   a. Get in the proper form (lift the hands, strengthen the knees), 
      helping one another to do so
   b. Watch out for the pitfalls that can hinder us in our pursuit, such as...
      1) Not utilizing God's grace to help you in your race
      2) Allowing bitterness to become a stumbling block
      3) Becoming a fornicator or profane person

As we run this "race", the words of the apostle Paul are appropriate...

   "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one 
   receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  
   And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all 
   things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for
   an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with 
   uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I
   discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I 
   have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
                                           (1Co 9:24-27)

Are you running in such a way as to obtain the imperishable crown?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

 

Plain and simple by Gary Rose

Translation:

ONLY PEOPLE WITH OCD CAN READ

THIS ENCRYPTED MESSAGE BECAUSE

OF THEIR UNIQUE AWARENESS OF

COMPLEX PATTERNS

SHARE ONLY IF YOU AGREE!!

Why is it that this generation is departing from normal communication? I see things like this picture on the INTERNET on a regular basis and wonder WHY? If you have ever received a text message from someone under 40 (could be any age, really) you will immediately notice all sorts of abbreviations that make it difficult to understand.

This made me think: Gary, aren’t you glad that God doesn’t act like that? What you need to know to “get right and stay right” with God is in plain and very straightforward language.

There is truth, there is right and wrong; you choose whether or not you will accept it or reject it and reap the consequences.

Jesus said…

John 8 ( World English Bible )

 ³⁰  As he spoke these things, many believed in him.  ³¹ Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.   ³²  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 

So, what truth does God want you to know?

1 Corinthians 15 ( WEB )

  ¹ Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,  ² by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.  ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  ⁶ Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.

Looking again to the words of Jesus…

John 3 ( WEB )

 ¹ Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  ² The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”

  ³  Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.”

  ⁴  Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

  ⁵  Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into the Kingdom of God!   ⁶  That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.   ⁷  Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ 

Once again, Jesus said…

Matthew 28 ( WEB)

 ¹⁸ Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.   ¹⁹  Go,  and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   ²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

And what did his apostles teach?

Acts 2 ( WEB )

  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. 

And lastly…

2 Timothy 4 ( WEB )

  ¹ I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: ² preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.  ³ For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;  ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.  ⁵ But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

  ⁶  For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.  ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.  ⁸ From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

Believe in Jesus, repent of sin, be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and remain faithful unto death.

Simple, direct and easy to understand. I for one am very glad God gave me a Bible and NOT A TEXT MESSAGE.

Bible Reading February 25, 26 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading February 25, 26

World  English  Bible

Feb. 25

Exodus 6

Exo 6:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land."

Exo 6:2 God spoke to Moses, and said to him, "I am Yahweh;

Exo 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.

Exo 6:4 I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens.

Exo 6:5 Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.

Exo 6:6 Therefore tell the children of Israel, 'I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments:

Exo 6:7 and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exo 6:8 I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.' "

Exo 6:9 Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn't listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

Exo 6:10 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 6:11 "Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land."

Exo 6:12 Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, "Behold, the children of Israel haven't listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"

Exo 6:13 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Exo 6:14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.

Exo 6:15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.

Exo 6:16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years.

Exo 6:17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.

Exo 6:18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.

Exo 6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.

Exo 6:20 Amram took Jochebed his father's sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years.

Exo 6:21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

Exo 6:22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri.

Exo 6:23 Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Exo 6:24 The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.

Exo 6:25 Eleazar Aaron's son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites according to their families.

Exo 6:26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom Yahweh said, "Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies."

Exo 6:27 These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.

Exo 6:28 It happened on the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,

Exo 6:29 that Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, "I am Yahweh. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you."

Exo 6:30 Moses said before Yahweh, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?"

Feb. 26

Exodus 7

Exo 7:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.

Exo 7:2 You shall speak all that I command you; and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Exo 7:3 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

Exo 7:4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, and I will lay my hand on Egypt, and bring forth my armies, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Exo 7:5 The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I stretch forth my hand on Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them."

Exo 7:6 Moses and Aaron did so. As Yahweh commanded them, so they did.

Exo 7:7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Exo 7:8 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Exo 7:9 "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Perform a miracle!' then you shall tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.' "

Exo 7:10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Exo 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.

Exo 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Exo 7:13 Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.

Exo 7:14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is stubborn. He refuses to let the people go.

Exo 7:15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he goes out to the water; and you shall stand by the river's bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand.

Exo 7:16 You shall tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, "Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:" and behold, until now you haven't listened.

Exo 7:17 Thus says Yahweh, "In this you shall know that I am Yahweh. Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

Exo 7:18 The fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river." ' "

Exo 7:19 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.' "

Exo 7:20 Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

Exo 7:21 The fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians couldn't drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.

Exo 7:22 The magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.

Exo 7:23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart.

Exo 7:24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn't drink of the water of the river.

Exo 7:25 Seven days were fulfilled, after Yahweh had struck the river.

Feb. 25

Matthew 28

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mat 28:2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Mat 28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Mat 28:4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.

Mat 28:5 The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.

Mat 28:6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.

Mat 28:7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you."

Mat 28:8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

Mat 28:9 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me."

Mat 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.

Mat 28:12 When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,

Mat 28:13 saying, "Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Mat 28:14 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry."

Mat 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.

Mat 28:16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.

Mat 28:17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.

Mat 28:18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Mat 28:19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Feb. 26

Mark 1

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.

Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!' "

Mar 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

Mar 1:5 All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.

Mar 1:6 John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

Mar 1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.

Mar 1:8 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

Mar 1:9 It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Mar 1:10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Mar 1:11 A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Mar 1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.

Mar 1:13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.

Mar 1:14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God,

Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News."

Mar 1:16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Mar 1:17 Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."

Mar 1:18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.

Mar 1:19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.

Mar 1:20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Mar 1:21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

Mar 1:22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mar 1:23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,

Mar 1:24 saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!"

Mar 1:25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"

Mar 1:26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mar 1:27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!"

Mar 1:28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.

Mar 1:29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mar 1:30 Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

Mar 1:31 He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.

Mar 1:32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.

Mar 1:33 All the city was gathered together at the door.

Mar 1:34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn't allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mar 1:35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.

Mar 1:36 Simon and those who were with him followed after him;

Mar 1:37 and they found him, and told him, "Everyone is looking for you."

Mar 1:38 He said to them, "Let's go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason."

Mar 1:39 He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Mar 1:40 A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."

Mar 1:41 Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I want to. Be made clean."

Mar 1:42 When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.

Mar 1:43 He strictly warned him, and immediately sent him out,

Mar 1:44 and said to him, "See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

Mar 1:45 But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places: and they came to him from everywhere.