From Gary... Bible Reading September 29

Bible Reading  

September 29

The World English Bible

Sept. 29

Psalms 115-117

Psa 115:1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your loving kindness, and for your truth's sake.

Psa 115:2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God, now?"

Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.

Psa 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psa 115:5 They have mouths, but they don't speak. They have eyes, but they don't see.

Psa 115:6 They have ears, but they don't hear. They have noses, but they don't smell.

Psa 115:7 They have hands, but they don't feel. They have feet, but they don't walk, neither do they speak through their throat.

Psa 115:8 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.

Psa 115:9 Israel, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.

Psa 115:10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.

Psa 115:11 You who fear Yahweh, trust in Yahweh! He is their help and their shield.

Psa 115:12 Yahweh remembers us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.

Psa 115:13 He will bless those who fear Yahweh, both small and great.

Psa 115:14 May Yahweh increase you more and more, you and your children.

Psa 115:15 Blessed are you by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

Psa 115:16 The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh; but the earth has he given to the children of men.

Psa 115:17 The dead don't praise Yah, neither any who go down into silence;

Psa 115:18 But we will bless Yah, from this time forth and forevermore. Praise Yah!

Psa 116:1 I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

Psa 116:2 Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Psa 116:3 The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.

Psa 116:4 Then I called on the name of Yahweh: "Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul."

Psa 116:5 Yahweh is Gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

Psa 116:6 Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.

Psa 116:7 Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.

Psa 116:8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

Psa 116:9 I will walk before Yahweh in the land of the living.

Psa 116:10 I believed, therefore I said, "I was greatly afflicted."

Psa 116:11 I said in my haste, "All men are liars."

Psa 116:12 What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?

Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of Yahweh.

Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.

Psa 116:15 Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints.

Psa 116:16 Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have freed me from my chains.

Psa 116:17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on the name of Yahweh.

Psa 116:18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,

Psa 116:19 in the courts of Yahweh's house, in the midst of you, Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

Psa 117:1 Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!

Psa 117:2 For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh's faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!

 

Sept. 29

2 Corinthians 9

2Co 9:1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

2Co 9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

2Co 9:3 But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

2Co 9:4 so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.

2Co 9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

2Co 9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2Co 9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

2Co 9:9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."

2Co 9:10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

2Co 9:11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

2Co 9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

2Co 9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

2Co 9:14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

2Co 9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

From Mark Copeland... The Insufficiency Of The Scriptures (John 5:37-40)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

             The Insufficiency Of The Scriptures (5:37-40)

INTRODUCTION

1. The all-sufficiency of the Scriptures is an important doctrine...
   a. For the Scriptures are completely adequate - 2Ti 3:16-17
   b. God has provided all that we need for life and godliness - 2 Pe 1:3
   c. We do not need further revelation, we have the faith delivered
      "once for all" to the saints - Jude 3
   -- Thus we have that which is able to build us up and give us our
      inheritance - Ac 20:32

2. Yet there can come a time... when the Scriptures are insufficient...
   a. When despite its power, the Word of God is unable to save
   b. When despite diligent study, it does not benefit those who search
      through it
   -- There can be a time when the Scriptures are insufficient!

3. We find such an occasion in the gospel of John...
   a. When Jesus was confronted by unbelieving Jews - cf. Jn 5:16-18
   b. Who had rejected various sources bearing witness to Jesus - cf. Jn 5:33-36

[In what serves as our text (Jn 5:37-40), we learn when and how the
Scriptures can be insufficient, as it proved to be in the case of the
Jews...]

I. HOW THE SCRIPTURES PROVED INSUFFICIENT FOR THE JEWS

   A. THEY DILIGENTLY SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES...
      1. As indicated in our text - Jn 5:39
         a. The KJV has Jesus commanding them to search the Scriptures
         b. The ASV, NKJV, NASB has Jesus acknowledging their study of
            the Scriptures
         c. "The form here can be either present active indicative
            second person plural or the present active imperative second
            person plural. Only the context can decide. Either makes
            sense here, but the reason given 'because ye think' (clearly
            indicative), supports the indicative rather than the
            imperative." - Robertson's Word Pictures
      2. The Jews were diligent students of the Scriptures
         a. Moses was read in the synagogues every Sabbath - cf. Ac 15:
            21
         b. "Hillel used to say, 'More law, more life...He who has
            gotten himself words of law has gotten himself the life of
            the world to come' (Talmud). In their zeal for the
            Scriptures the Jews had counted every letter of them,
            expecting to find life in the laws and precepts..."
            - McGarvey's Fourfold Gospel
      -- One could hardly be a more diligent student of the Scriptures
         than the Jews!

   B. YET THE SCRIPTURES DID NOT BENEFIT THEM...
      1. They were unwilling to believe in Him of whom the Scriptures
         testified - Jn 5:39-40
      2. Failing to believe in Jesus led to the Father's Word not
         abiding in them - cf. Jn 5:38
      -- Unwilling to believe in Him of whom the Scriptures testified,
         the Scriptures proved insufficient to be the Word of life for
         them!

[How sad that many Jews who had the benefit of receiving "the oracles of
God" (Ro 3:1-2) and studied them so diligently fell short of receiving
their true benefit.  Yet the same occurs often today...]

II. HOW THE SCRIPTURES CAN BE INSUFFICIENT FOR US TODAY

   A. WE MAY BE DILIGENT STUDENTS OF THE SCRIPTURES...
      1. Indeed we should be diligent students of the Word!
         a. The gospel is God's power to save - Ro 1:16
         b. The Word of God is living and powerful - He 4:12
         c. The Word is able to save our souls - Jm 1:21
         d. The Word is able to make one born again - 1Pe 1:22
         e. The Word is able to help us grow - 1Pe 2:2
         f. The Word is able to give us that inheritance among those
            sanctified - Ac 20:32
      2. Many people are diligent students of the Word!
         a. Every denomination has its scholars, people well-versed in
            the Word
         b. People read the Bible daily, study it in church frequently
         c. Some can even quote entire sections from memory
      -- Many are like the Berean Jews in their study of the Scriptures
         - Ac 17:11

   B. YET THE SCRIPTURES WILL NOT BENEFIT US...
      1. If we do not have faith - He 4:1-2
         a. We may come short of our promised rest
         b. Like the Israelites who fell in the wilderness
      2. If we are not doers of the Word
         a. If we are only hearers, we deceive ourselves - Jm 1:21-25
         b. If we are only hearers, we will not stand in times of trial
            - Mt 7:24-27
      -- Unless we believe and obey the Word of God , it remains
         insufficient to save us!

CONCLUSION

1. The Word of God is truly all-sufficient..
   a. To do the work God designed it do - Isa 55:10-11
   b. To bear fruit in the noble and good heart - Lk 8:11,15

2. Yet "people of the Book" (as the Koran calls Jews and Christians)
   should take heed...
   a. The Word cannot bear fruit in some hearts - Lk 8:12-14
   b. We must let the Word lead us to Him Who is the giver of life - cf.
      Jn 5:40

Indeed, "the all-sufficiency of the Word" must be understood in its
context, for the Word alone does not save.  To be saved we also need
faith (Jn 8:24), we need blood (Ep 1:7), we even need water (Ep 5:26),
the last being an allusion to baptism where the Word, God's grace,
Christ's blood and our faith comes together to provide remission of
sins! - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

The "Not" in the Devil's Tale by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1229

The "Not" in the Devil's Tale

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Someone coined the title of this article many years ago. They were referring, of course, to the incident recorded in Genesis chapter three where Satan coaxed Eve into eating the forbidden fruit by assuring her that if she were to do so, she would become like God (3:5). Though God had previously informed her through her husband that “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (2:17), Satan boldly disputed such a directive by inserting the word “not” in the very same statement: “You will not surely die” (3:4, emp. added). He took precisely the same sentence that God Himself had uttered, and simply inserted the three-letter word “not.”
Contemplate the gall of Satan. Ponder the absolute audacity of the devil in his willingness to pervert the Word of God by the simple insertion of such a small, seemingly insignificant word. Yet that simple three-letter insertion into the sentence articulated by God completely reversed the truth of the matter. It made it appear as if the truth was the exact opposite of what God had actually said. It countermanded God’s Word on the matter and set in its place a falsehood that was in diametric opposition to God’s will.
Besides the devil, who would dare to do such a dastardly deed? Surely not those who claim to be Christians! Surely not preachers and teachers of the Bible! Surely, only those who deny the Bible, who reject it as uninspired and a mere concoction of humans, would so tamper with God’s Word as to negate a positive, unambiguous declaration of Scripture. Yet God did warn that even from among Christians would arise those who would distort, deny, and push aside His instructions. Jesus Himself warned: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Peter agreed: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” (2 Peter 2:1). John added his voice of caution: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Paul claimed that even from among church officials, some would rise up and speak misleading things (Acts 20:30).
In view of these forthright words of warning and anticipation, one cannot help but be utterly amazed, even shocked, that so many who claim to be Christian have rejected the God-ordained role of water baptism in His redemptive scheme. The “faith only” perspective that was expounded during the Protestant Reformation, and has since permeated Christendom, displaced water baptism from its divinely assigned position. Rather than being the line of demarcation between the sinner and the saint, as the New Testament everywhere affirms, baptism has been relegated to an after-the-fact symbol—a post-conversion “outward expression” of the forgiveness previously achieved at the point of faith.
Though many New Testament verses expound the proper role of water immersion as intended by God, thereby weaving a consistent and harmonious picture throughout inspired Writ (e.g., Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38,41; 8:12,13,16,36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; 5:26; Colossians 2:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22), one is sufficient to demonstrate the absurd lengths to which so many theologians have gone to discount the biblical treatment of baptism: 1 Peter 3:21. In this verse, Peter announced very simply: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us” (KJV, emp. added). The ASV words it: “which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism.” The NKJV has it: “There is also now an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism.” The NASB words it: “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you.”
What have the majority of commentators, theologians, and church authorities done with this verse? They have danced, twisted, and turned in every direction to evade the unambiguous import of the verse. Since they previously embraced a false theory of salvation—i.e., salvation by “faith alone” without any further acts of obedience on the part of the believer—they have had to engage in hermeneutical gymnastics and exegetical hocus-pocus to avoid the force of these verses that pinpoint the place of water baptism. In short, they have been pressured into doing precisely what Satan did in his discourse with Eve. They have had to take a very straightforward, unmistakable statement by the apostle Peter and insert the same three-letter word that Satan himself inserted: “not.” “Baptism doth also now not save us;” “There is also now an antitype which now does not save us, namely baptism;” “And corresponding to that, baptism now does not save you.” The gall and unmitigated audacity that accompanies such tampering with Scripture will surely be shown in eternity to be no different from the ploy of Satan himself.

From Jim McGuiggan... Bible versions and ministers

Bible versions and ministers

It was in The Expository Times (1993, 105.1), in a book review, that J. R Watson said, "In earlier generations, the Bible was a living book, known and loved, familiar and treasured. I ascribe its loss not only to the secularization of our society but to other things: most obviously to the seemingly endless series of piddling new translations—New English, Jerusalem, Revised Standard, Good News, New International, Revised English—which come out of the presses year by year. Their very proliferation is self-defeating: now, instead of one text, which not everyone could understand but which everyone was able to remember, we have a polytext, which everyone can understand and no one can remember. Ichabod, as Ukridge said, Ichabod." [It took me a while to find the above but it was worth the trouble. That simply demands to be quoted.]

I think the fuss over versions is worth making and it's to our benefit that specialists, who have a genuine concern that "the word of the Lord" gets to people, speak up in critical assessment. I do get a bit exercised at those whose criticism amounts to nothing more than that the version under scrutiny doesn't support the theological views of the reviewer. There's little point in pretending that we don't know that Taylor's Living Bible and Peterson's The Message aren't much more than commentaries; but then that criticism can be levelled at all versions to some degree and some major versions to a great degree.

I would have thought that a new translation should be significantly different in certain ways from previous translations or there's little point in publishing it. If the boast of a new translation is accuracy then there's the implication that all the other versions are sufficiently wide of the mark in areas that really matter that the publishers felt compelled to bring out a new version. If the claim is that the English is "more up to date" then we have to ask ourselves if English speech has changed so radically over the past two decades that another full scale translation is required. Does anyone really believe that?

I have no special literary expertise so I'm not able to do much by way of criticism or praise of elegance or smoothness or flow or such things. I know the difference between sustained slang and chattiness and I know I prefer to read authors who know how to write recognisably good prose. But I think we can quickly make too much of a version's "majestic prose" and the aesthetic effect it can have on us. I'm not sure that the quality of expression [beyond avoiding a stiff woodenness on one end and chatty slang on the other)—I'm not sure that the quality of expression should be a major concern. Should we not want it to flow nicely, have an appealing rhythm and cadence? Yes, I would suppose we should aim for that but I think it's a secondary issue. I'm certain we'd all agree that first and foremost what we want, is to hear what Paul or Peter or Jesus or John said so we can wrestle with them and if we can get that in pleasing English, so much the better. Fine English literary qualities must surely matter but they must not be allowed to matter too much.

Still, no matter what version the people have in their hands, after that comes the matter of interpretation, proclamation and embodiment. It's possible for preachers to go on and on about the shortcomings of this or that translation after which they climb into the pulpit and paraphrase the life out of Jesus and his followers. Haven't I seen it countless times in my life? God forgive me, haven't I done it? Here's a preacher with his preferred version ("the only one worth having, one that renders the original perfectly in majestic English prose") reading the text and then "explaining" it without ever having really worked with it before he mounted the pulpit!   If a translation fell down out of heaven from God's printing press into everyone's lap we'd still be short-changed by teachers who are too lazy to develop the prophet's point or Matthew's point before enlisting them in support of his/her agenda.

I don't deny that there are hosts of us that are fervent Bible readers but I think we'd be fools not to recognise that the most of us depend on ministers of the Word for our understanding of what our preferred versions say. If scholars are depending on we the rank and file to know which version is best then their education hasn't given them a full quota of common sense. Between the word of the Lord and the rank and file stand those that minister the Word. God gave us a Bible but he also gave us teachers.

I think the quarrel over versions is a good quarrel when it's done by qualified and committed people but they can only do so much to save us from being deprived of the word of the Lord. After the preacher/teacher has given his judgement about the right version or "the best version" let him see to it that he gives the correct and faithful rendering a thorough listening to and a faithful delivery. If versions should be held accountable for delivering the word of the Lord to the people so should ministers.

I confess I have more fear of ministers than I have of versions.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Gary.... The god of delusion

What delusion?  What could the author of this definition possibly be referring to?  And, if so, would it be a rare thing or something quite common?  Now, because this doesn't specifically say what the delusion might be, I admit to being speculative here, but since most of the world is Gentile (as opposed to being Jewish) then perhaps a sermon directed to them might hold a clue or two...

Acts 17:16-34 NASB
(16)  Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.
(17)  So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.
(18)  And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
(19)  And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?
(20)  "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean."
(21)  (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
(22)  So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.
(23)  "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
(24)  "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
(25)  nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
(26)  and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
(27)  that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
(28)  for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'
(29)  "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.
(30)  "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
(31)  because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."
(32)  Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this."
(33)  So Paul went out of their midst.
(34)  But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Humm, this passage makes me wonder still... what could a common delusion be?  Well, for openers, there is idolatry.  We don't see temples like those in Athens today, but people make their own, don't they? Perhaps not made of stone, but idols of the heart, like work, a spouse or a hobby of some sort. Something that controls everything in their life.  Surely, we all have met the person who is all about work, work, work- haven't we?  And then there would be those who live their lives devoted to themselves and THEY MAKE THEIR WISHES A god.  This sort would never want a creator to intervene with their life, would they?  Or how about the religious person, who believes what they do because of the influence of some tradition or authority figure and refuses to submit to the God of the Bible? Then, there are those who simply refuse to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and in spite of this FACT, they still refuse to obey HIM!!!  Lastly, there are those who live like there is no tomorrow and would simply say that when we die we are nothing but dust and there is no life after life.

To all these and those with a myriad of other delusions, let me simply say- WAKE UP!!!  Jesus did raise from the dead, God will judge us someday and prepare for it by obeying the Gospel of God, today!!!  Begin by opening your Bible and allowing truth to permeate your mind and will; the unlimited nature of eternity with God is within your grasp- the rest is up to you!!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading September 27

Bible Reading   

September 27

The World English Bible

Sept. 27

Psalms 109-111

Psa 109:1 God of my praise, don't remain silent,

Psa 109:2 for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.

Psa 109:3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.

Psa 109:4 In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.

Psa 109:5 They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Psa 109:6 Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.

Psa 109:7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.

Psa 109:8 Let his days be few. Let another take his office.

Psa 109:9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

Psa 109:10 Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins.

Psa 109:11 Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.

Psa 109:12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him, neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.

Psa 109:13 Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Psa 109:14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh. Don't let the sin of his mother be blotted out.

Psa 109:15 Let them be before Yahweh continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;

Psa 109:16 because he didn't remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.

Psa 109:17 Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn't delight in blessing, and it was far from him.

Psa 109:18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.

Psa 109:19 Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him.

Psa 109:20 This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh, of those who speak evil against my soul.

Psa 109:21 But deal with me, Yahweh the Lord, for your name's sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me;

Psa 109:22 for I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me.

Psa 109:23 I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.

Psa 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat.

Psa 109:25 I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.

Psa 109:26 Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness;

Psa 109:27 that they may know that this is your hand; that you, Yahweh, have done it.

Psa 109:28 They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.

Psa 109:29 Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.

Psa 109:30 I will give great thanks to Yahweh with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude.

Psa 109:31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.

Psa 110:1 Yahweh says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet."

Psa 110:2 Yahweh will send forth the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies.

Psa 110:3 Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.

Psa 110:4 Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

Psa 110:5 The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.

Psa 110:6 He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.

Psa 110:7 He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

Psa 111:1 Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.

Psa 111:2 Yahweh's works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them.

Psa 111:3 His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever.

Psa 111:4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful.

Psa 111:5 He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.

Psa 111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

Psa 111:7 The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure.

Psa 111:8 They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.

Psa 111:9 He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!

Psa 111:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

 

Sept. 27

2 Corinthians 7

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2Co 7:2 Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

2Co 7:3 I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

2Co 7:5 For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.

2Co 7:6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

2Co 7:7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.

2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.

2Co 7:9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

2Co 7:11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

2Co 7:12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

2Co 7:13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

2Co 7:14 For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

2Co 7:15 His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.

2Co 7:16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.

From Mark Copeland... All Should Honor The Son (John 5:16-30)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                   All Should Honor The Son (5:16-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. The ministry of Jesus was not without controversy...
   a. One reason was because He healed on the Sabbath - Jn 5:16
   b. Another reason was because He made Himself equal with God - Jn 5:17-18
   -- Prompting the Jews to seek to kill Him

2. Yet He they sought to kill, they should have honored - Jn 5:22-23
   a. Even as one should honor the Father
   b. For failing to honor the Son, they did not honor the Father who
      sent Him
   -- Indeed, all should honor the Son!

[Do we honor the Son today?  Truly honor the Son?  We certainly should,
and in our text we note several reasons why Jesus should be held high in
our estimation of Him...]

I. WHY WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

   A. THE SON WILL RAISE THE DEAD...
      1. Among the "greater works" Jesus would do included raising the
         dead! - Jn 5:20-21
      2. We have record of Jesus raising three people from the dead
         a. The daughter of Jairus - Mk 5:21-43
         b. The son of the widow of Nain - Lk 7:11-17
         c. The brother of Mary and Martha, Lazarus - Jn 11:1-44
      3. One day, Jesus will raise all from the dead! - Jn 5:28-29
         a. Those who have done good, to the resurrection of life
         b. Those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
            condemnation
      -- Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive!
         - cf. 1Co 15:22

   B. THE SON WILL JUDGE THE WORLD...
      1. The Father has committed judgment to His Son - Jn 5:22
         a. Jesus has authority to execute judgment, because He is the
            Son of Man - Jn 5:27
         b. Jesus will exercise righteous judgment, because He seeks the
            Father's will - Jn 5:30
      2. One day, Jesus will judge all mankind! - cf. Ac 10:42; 17:31
         a. His words will judge us in the Last Day - Jn 12:48
         b. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ - Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10
      -- Knowing we will one day stand before the Judge, should we not
         honor Him now?

   C. THE SON OFFERS EVERLASTING LIFE...
      1. To those who hear His Words, and believes in the Father who
         sent Him - Jn 5:24
         a. They shall not come into judgment (i.e., condemnation)
         b. They shall pass from death (spiritual) to life (eternal)
      2. The time for this offer is now ("the hour is coming, and now
         is") - Jn 5:25
         a. When those who are dead (spiritually) will hear the voice of
            the Son of God (via the gospel)
         b. Those who hear (obey) will live (be saved)
      3. The Son has power to give life - Jn 5:26
         a. Because the Father has life in Himself
         b. And the Father has granted the Son to have life in Himself
      -- That Jesus offers the gift of everlasting life is certainly
         reason to honor Him!

[Many other reasons to honor the Son could be given, but these certainly
suffice.  How should we honor Him?  From our text, we can glean at least
three ways...]

II. HOW WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

   A. BY HEARING HIS VOICE NOW...
      1. One day, we will hear His voice - cf. Jn 5:28-29
         a. Whether alive or dead
         b. Whether we want to or not
         c. Either to a resurrection of life, or to a resurrection of
            condemnation
      2. How much better that day will be, if we hear His voice now
         - cf. Jn 5:24-25
         a. We can have everlasting life!
         b. We will not come into judgment (condemnation)!
         c. We can pass from death to life!
      -- Will we honor the Son by listening to His words of life?

   B. BY OBEYING HIS VOICE NOW...
      1. It is not enough to simply "hear" His Words
         a. We must be "doers" of His Words - Mt 7:24-27
         b. Otherwise, why bother to call Him "Lord"? - Lk 6:46
         c. Only by abiding in His word are we truly His disciples - Jn 8:31
      2. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all obey Him - cf.
         He 5:9
         a. Obeying His call to believe in Him - Jn 8:24
         b. Obeying His call to repent of sins - Lk 13:3
         c. Obeying His call to confess Him before others - Mt 10:32-33
         d. Obeying His call to be baptized - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16
         e. Obeying His call to remain faithful - Re 2:10
      -- Will we honor the Son by heeding His voice now, today?

   C. BY SEEKING THE FATHER'S WILL NOW...
      1. Jesus sought His Father's will in all that He did - Jn 5:30
         a. His "food" was to do the Father's will - Jn 4:34
         b. He came down from heaven to do the Father's will - Jn 6:38
         c. He glorified the Father by doing the work He was given to do
            - Jn 17:4
      2. Jesus wants us to do His Father's will
         a. Otherwise we will not enter the kingdom of heaven - Mt 7:
            21-23
         b. Otherwise we will not be part of His family - Mt 12:46-50
      -- We can best honor the Son by emulating His example in doing the
         Father's will!

CONCLUSION

1. All should honor the Son today...
   a. He is certainly worthy of honor - cf. Re 5:12
   b. Just as the Father (He who sits on the throne) is worthy - cf. Re 5:13

2. All will honor the Son one day...
   a. By responding to His voice at the resurrection - Jn 5:28-29
   b. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess - Ro 14:10-11;
      Php 2:9-11

For those willing to honor Him today by heeding His voice, they will be
honored together with Him in That Day! - cf. 2Th 1:10-12

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

The Assumption of Mary by Moisés Pinedo

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2696

The Assumption of Mary

by	Moisés Pinedo

The “Assumption of Mary” is one of Catholicism’s newest dogmas. Proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950, in the papal bull Munificentissimus Deus, it is one of the most ambiguous, changeable, and confusing teachings of Catholicism. In fact, nobody can say exactly what Mary’s condition or circumstances were prior to her “assumption.” Soon after the introduction of this new doctrine, serious disagreement arose between Mariologists and Pius XII over whether or not Mary died, was resurrected, and then ascended to heaven, or simply ascended to heaven without dying. In spite of the Catholic claim that the pope speaks with “infallibility,” there is not yet consensus concerning the details of this dogma. Therefore, its advocates have taken the liberty of adjusting the details to better fit their developing ideas and traditions, and to make it more attractive to believers.
Although you may find many versions of Mary’s alleged assumption into heaven, one common idea, supported by Catholic tradition, is represented by the following description:

One day, when Mary, according to her custom, had gone to “the holy tomb of our Lord” to burn incense and pray, the archangel Gabriel announces her approaching death, and informs her that, in answer to her request, she shall “go to the heavenly places to her Son, into the true and everlasting life.” On her return home she prays, and all the Apostles—those who are already dead and those still alive—are gathered to her bedside at Bethlehem.... [T]he Apostles, carrying the couch on which “the Lady, the mother of God,” lay, are borne on a cloud to Jerusalem. Here Christ appears to her, and in answer to her request, declares: “Rejoice and be glad, for all grace is given to thee by My Father in heaven, and by Me, and by the Holy Ghost....” Then, while the Apostles sing a hymn, Mary falls asleep. She is laid in a tomb in Gethsemane; for three days an angel-choir is heard glorifying God, and when they are silent, all know that “her spotless and precious body has been transferred to Paradise” (Hastings, 1906, 1:683).

Many Catholics believe that Mary died before going to heaven (see “Did Mary Die?,” 1997, p. 11), but others consider her death an open question (see Mischewski, 2005). They have advocated that

Concerning Mary’s death the dogma is non-committal. It only says: “when the course of her earthly life was completed.”... As it stands now both opinions are acceptable and accepted: Mary’s death, resurrection and glorification as well as glorification at the end of her life without death (Roten, 2006, emp. added).

This doctrine is so “flexible” that it can work either way. However, this produces a dilemma since it is said that

the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, clearly and repeatedly refers to the death of the Virgin Mary. In no less than seven separate paragraphs this Apostolic Constitution refers, in one way or another, to the death of the Virgin Mary (Conte, 2006).

It is interesting that, according to some Catholics, the declaration of a supposedly infallible pope can be interpreted in two completely opposite ways. So, who has the final word concerning this and other Catholic topics? Who can say, with any degree of confidence, what one should believe?
The very fact that interpretations of this doctrine are so “flexible” makes it unreliable and incredible. In contrast, the Bible is very clear about those who left behind their earthly existence without experiencing death. Enoch “was taken away so that he did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5; cf. Genesis 5:24). Of Elijah, the Bible says that a “chariot of fire” took him without him seeing death (2 Kings 2:11). Equally clear details are given about Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9). There is neither ambiguity nor the slightest hint that these historical facts are open to various interpretations.
A second reason why we should reject this Catholic dogma is its opposition to statements of Christ Himself. Speaking to Nicodemus, Jesus said: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man” (John 3:13, emp. added). This includes everyone who has died, as well as those who were taken by the Lord and did not taste death. Again, Jesus taught that those who die go to a place called hades—a place of waiting for the Final Judgment (Revelation 20:13-15) that is independent from heaven and hell (Luke 16:19-23). In John 14:3, Jesus promised His disciples, “And if I go [to heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” When the time comes for His return, Jesus will keep His promise and open the doors of heaven for all those who have obeyed Him (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). But, since He has not yet returned, we conclude from the Scriptures that none of His disciples have been taken to heaven, not even Mary.
A third reason why we should reject the dogma of Mary’s assumption is its opposition to other related biblical doctrines. Concerning the Second Coming of Christ, Paul wrote that the resurrection of the dead will occur “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52, emp. added). In contrast, the doctrine of Mary’s assumption into heaven implies that she has already undergone a transformation of her body into a glorious state. It should be obvious that it is impossible to reconcile the Catholic tradition of Mary’s assumption with the biblical doctrine of resurrection.
A fourth reason to reject this doctrine is that the New Testament does not record the ascension of Mary. Some Catholics have proposed that it is implied by the Bible since Mary’s death is not recorded. This reasoning fails to acknowledge that the Bible does not record the deaths of many people, including John, Mark, Paul, and even Pilate. Does this mean that these people (and many others whose deaths are not recorded in the Bible) ascended to heaven? To argue in this way is to argue from the silence of Scripture. To establish a historical, biblical truth, we should turn our attention from what the Bible writers did not record, to what they did record.
By the time the New Testament books were written, the alleged Assumption of Mary would have occurred. However, not one New Testament writer gives even a hint of this event’s occurrence. If this doctrine is so important (as Catholicism claims), why was it excluded from the New Testament? If Jesus promised that the apostles were going to be guided into all truth and were going to declare all of the truth of God (John 16:13), why did they not record this “significant truth” about Mary? If the Bible records the “ascensions” of Enoch and Elijah, why does it not also record Mary’s? The simple answer is that the “Assumption of Mary” never occurred; it was created by minds focused on traditions, not truth.
The papal bull of 1950 further declared that “if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined [the “Assumption of Mary”—MP], let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith” (Munificentissimus Deus, 45, emp. added). But if this dogma is so important—to the point that those who do not believe it are condemned—how do Catholic clergy and theologians explain the fact that most mainstream Catholics lived for approximately 1,400 years in ignorance of this dogma? Were the Catholics, including the popes, who lived before its declaration by Pius XII (1950), saved in their ignorance of the “Assumption”? If they did not need this “truth” for salvation prior to 1950, why do they need it now?
There is no doubt that Mary was a special woman, but just like every other human being, she lived in a world regulated by an established principle that affects all of us: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, emp. added). Mary, at the end of her earthly journey, crossed the path from life to death and met all those who “sleep” in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Like them, and us, she is waiting for the Final Judgment, when the doors of heaven will open for all those who have done the will of the Father (Matthew 25:31-46).

REFERENCES

Conte, Ronald L. (2006), “A Summary of the Doctrine of the Dormition,” [On-line], URL: http://www.catholicplanet.com/CMA/dormition-summary.htm.
Hastings, James, ed. (1906), A Dictionary of Christ and the Apostles (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons).
Mischewski, Dean (2005), “The Assumption of Mary into Heaven,” [On-line], URL: http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/mischedj/ct_assumption.html.
“Did Mary Die?” (1997), Catholic News, August 13, [On-line], URL: http://www.catholic.org.sg/cn/wordpress/?p=1791&page=1.
Munificentissimus Deus (1950), [On-line], URL: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P12MUNIF.HTM.
Roten, Johann (2006), “What about Mary’s Death?,” [On-line], URL: http://www.catholicweb.com/media_index.cfm?fuseaction=view_article&partnerid=48&article_id=2768.