To Fear The Father by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1586

To Fear The Father

(Luke 12:1-9) “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God”.

For many of us, when we were children we had what I call a healthy fear of our dads. As much as I loved my dad, and as much as I know he loved me, a small part of me feared him. Even though most people said that I was a good kid and somewhat well behaved, there were times as I was growing up when I needed what I’d like to call a behavior or attitude adjustment, and my dad, and even sometimes my mom help me with those adjustments.

Like when at a very young age I decided to help my dad and dissect his chain saw, piece by piece. Or when I decided to experiment with matches to see what could burn along side the road and what couldn’t and started a brush fire. Or when my parents found out that me and my neighbor were shoplifting candy and small toys from our local country store. My parents didn’t like it to much when my brother and I would not stop fooling around at bedtime after being told to be quiet go to sleep too many times. I remember on night my dad was on his way into our room to warm our bottom and I shoved some kind of clothing down my pants to pad my backside. Nor did they like it very much when I decided my brother needed an attitude adjustment and took it into my own hands to give him one.

For some reason I don’t remember too much about those acts of discipline (or beatings as we use to refer to them) but I know that they had a profound effect: #1, I did my best not to do whatever I did to get that belt or spanking in the first place. And #2, I learned not to tempt fate when it came to disobeying my parents and do something evil or mischievous.

I had a healthy fear because I knew what my dad would do. Back then I don’t ever remember having a ‘TIME OUT.’ And the only reason we were sent to our room was to get spanked in private which was something that usually terrified us. That wait seemed always worst that the beating itself.

By no means do I want you think that my parents were cruel or abusive, they weren’t. As a matter of fact my brother and I knew that our parents loved us and did not want us to grow up without teaching us the difference between right and wrong. Like I said, I don’t remember any of those beatings be much more than a couple of slaps on our butt. But that was all that was needed to make an impression.

And I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with having a little bit of respectful fear to prompt us to do the right things.

As a matter of fact in the book of Proverbs Solomon instructs loving parents to use more than words to discipline your child. (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:14-15; and 29:15)

In Psychology Today, an article on fear says, “There are many things that motivate us. But the most powerful motivator of all is FEAR. Fear is a primal instinct that served us as cave dwellers and today. It keeps us alive, because if we survive a bad experience, we never forget how to avoid it in the future. Our most vivid memories are born in Fear. Adrenaline etches them into our brains..”

Proverbs 23:14-15 says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. 14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.”

That’s what discipline is all about. It’s not about being vicious, cruel, or having revenge on our child for what they have done. Rather it’s all about caring so much for our child that we take some drastic steps to modify their behavior wanting to save them from far worst things.

That’s what discipline is all about. As a matter of fact we are told that God does the same with us even as His adult children. The author of Hebrews wrote, in 12:5-11. “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

I don’t know about you but to some degree I fear our Father God. Yes, I am absolutely convince He loves me more than any human could, and yes I love Him, but there is still a part of me that fears Him in much the same way I feared my dad as a boy growing up. From scripture I’ve learned; like my dad and even more so, Father God is not someone to mess with.

And that fear of Father God has motivate me to do some things that I may not have done if I had not feared Him.

In out last lesson we read about King Sennacherib, the king of Assyria who wanted to attack and conquer Jerusalem. Before he attacked he sent a message to King Hezekiah and those in Jerusalem basically telling them to give up and surrender because in his opinion there was no way to get out of the situation, not even with God’s help. In 2 Chronicles 32 16 it says,  “ Sennacherib’s officers spoke further against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 The king also wrote letters ridiculing the Lord, the God of Israel, and saying this against Him: “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand.”

And the following night we read that God sent the Angel of the Lord into the Assyrian camp and put to death a185,000 soldiers. Simply put, I don’t think you should mess with Father God. Over and over from the time of Noah on we read how Father God wiped out one evil nation or people after another.

In Hebrews God lets us know that He will discipline those of us who are His sons and daughters just as a parent disciplines us when we start going down the wrong path.

For me one of the scariest verses in all the Bible is seen in Luke 12:4-5; it says, 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

This tells me that there isn’t anyone on this planet or beyond that I should fear more that God Himself. Not that He doesn’t love us, rather it is because He loves us Father God will not put up with a disobedient, unholy, evil, irreverent son or daughter. And in the end if we don’t turn from such behavior its going to be far worse than a rod to your back, He will not let you into heaven and you will depart to a place where Jesus said there will be torment with weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:42 and 25:30)

Words like that from Jesus scare the Hell out of me; and they have changed my behavior and way of life. You want motivation to do the right thing, to obey His word, to start loving and serving others as He would have you, to stop complaining all the time and start forgiving others. Or the motivation to give up bad or sinful habits and honor Him; then remember: “do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

All comments can be emailed to: bfronzek@gmail.com

Following the Toucan’s Nose to a Designer by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2053

Following the Toucan’s Nose to a Designer

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

The writers and editors of National Geographic are notoriously guilty of saturating their articles with evolution. That is why it is almost humorous to read articles in the periodical that seem to slip by the editors—articles that, if read in a straightforward manner, defy evolution. For instance, in the December, 2006 issue, the editors included a tiny, one-page article titled “Power Beak.” This article discusses the beak of the toucan. John Eliot, the author of the article, interviewed Marc André Meyers, “a materials scientist at the University of California, San Diego.” Meyers believes the unique design of the toucan beak could be used to produce strong, lightweight materials used in vehicles.

Meyers describes the toucan beak as a beautiful structure. He then goes into some engineering detail:

The surface is made of keratin, the same material in fingernails and hair. But the outer layer isn’t a solid structure. It’s actually many layers of tiny hexagonal plates, overlapping like shingles on a roof. The interior is different from the shell, made of bone. It consists of a light yet rigid foam made of little beams and membranes. And some areas of the beak are hollow (Eliot, 2006, p. 30).

On the same page, to the right of Meyers’ comments, the reader can see two pictures from a microscope—one of the hard foam inside the beak and the other of the “shingle” layers of keratin. To the left of the comments there is a toucan head and beak, in which the layers are shown in a cross-section-like diagram. The combined pictures look like they are straight out of an engineer’s portfolio.

What is Eliot’s assessment of the toucan’s beak? In a simple, yet oh-so-telling, sentence, Eliot said: “[T]he toucan’s beak is ingeniously designed to be both strong and light weight.” Look closely at the wording. He says the beak is “ingeniously designed.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word “ingenious” as: “Marked by inventive skill and imagination. 2. Having or arising from an inventive or cunning mind; clever” (2000, p. 900, emp. added). Notice that the word “ingenious” implies an inventive or cunning mind. What inventive or cunning mind engineered the beautiful design of the toucan beak? It could not have been the evolutionary process, since evolutionists themselves admit that the process has no ultimate goals and no creative mind powering the system. The only logical answer is the supernatural mind of God. If the editors of National Geographic would only follow the nose of the toucan, they would find the ingenious Designer—and they would stop writing false, evolutionary propaganda.

REFERENCES

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000), (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin), fourth edition.

Eliot, John L. (2006), “Power Beak,” National Geographic, 210[6], December 12.

Free thought: Not So Free After All by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=926

Free thought: Not So Free After All

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

One of the most popular terms used by atheists and agnostics to describe themselves is the term “freethinker.” Accordingly, their self-styled brand of reasoning, known as “freethought,” is hitting the upper echelons of academia as the in vogue way to think. From the ideas contained in this compound word, its advocates are attempting to lead people to believe that freethinkers are free to think as they like. Supposedly, freethinkers can go where the evidence leads them, since they are not bound by traditional ideas on morality, deity, the inspiration of the Bible, and other “wayward” notions that have “hindered” freedom in the past.

One of the most outspoken defenders of freethought is a man named Dan Barker. Prior to his “deconversion” into freethought, he was a zealous denominational preacher and missionary. In his most famous written work describing his new-found atheism, Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, he includes an entire chapter titled, What is a Freethinker? At the end of this chapter, Barker says, “Freethought allows you to do your own thinking…. Freethought is truly free” (1992, p. 136). Obviously, Mr. Barker wants everyone who comes in contact with freethought to believe that it is an avenue of thinking that allows each individual to go where his or her thoughts lead.

Upon further investigation, however, freethought is not so free after all. On the very first page of his chapter on freethought, he contends, “No one can be a freethinker who demands conformity to a bible, creed, or messiah.” So, according to Mr. Barker, since he and his group of freethinkers do not think they see enough evidence for the Bible’s inspiration, then all “freethinkers” must reject conformity to the Bible. What happened to the idea that freethought allows “you to do your own thinking.” Again, on the same page he wrote, “Freethinkers are naturalistic” (p. 133), meaning that freethinkers cannot believe in anything outside the realm of what can be measured scientifically using the senses. What if certain evidences compel a person to believe in a supernatural deity? According to freethought, a person is not free to follow that type of evidence. Once again, freethought proves to be much less “free” than we have been told.

Another telling statement from Barker’s pen comes on page 134, where he says, “Individuals are free to choose, within the limits of humanistic morality.” Freethought, then, allows a person to choose freely any set of ethical and moral standards, as long as those standards conform to the “humanistic morality” adopted by Barker and his fellow “freethinkers.” But what if those moral standards fall outside the realm of “humanistic morality?” Then a freethinker must choose some other standard—or cease to be a freethinker.

In one of his concluding paragraphs, Barker states: “A multiplicity of individuals thinking, free from the restraints of orthodoxy, allows ideas to be tested, discarded or adopted” (p. 135). Barker subtly omits the other restraints such as naturalism and humanism, from which freethinkers are not free. In essence, freethinkers, according to Dan Barker, are those people who think like him and his fellow freethinkers. If a person does not think like the humanistic, naturalistic Dan Barker, then that person must be an enslaved thinker, not a freethinker. In reality, “freethought” is a misnomer and is not free after all. In fact, it is one of the “least free” ways to think that is available in the marketplace of ideas. In actuality, the only thing that can ever make a person free is the truth (John 8:32). From the statements quoted above, it is evident that Dan Barker and his fellow freethinkers are not really interested in freedom but, rather, are interested in forming a group of “freethinkers” that toes the party line on such false concepts as naturalism and humanism.

REFERENCE

Barker, Dan (1992), Losing Faith In Faith—From Preacher to Atheist (Madison, WI: Freedom from Religion Foundation).

From “In Place of God” to “God’s Place” by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2355

From “In Place of God” to “God’s Place”

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Nearly one year ago we reported that many militant non-believers gathered in La Jolla, California for the first “Beyond Belief” symposium (see Lyons and Butt, 2007), which the scientific journal New Scientist called “an ‘atheist love fest’” (Reilly, 2007, 196[2629]:7). The conference was held to discuss science, religion, and God, and specifically whether science should “do away with religion” (Brooks, 2006, 192[2578]:9). New Scientist writer Michael Brooks summarized the overall attitude of the attendees in the following words: “science can take on religion and win” (p. 11, emp. added). The participants were ready to roll up their sleeves and “get on with it” (p. 11). They were ready to put science “In Place of God,” as Brooks titled his article.

Fast forward one year to “Beyond Belief II,” and it appears some of the participants approached the idea of a Supernatural Being more cautiously. Even the title of a recent New Scientist article, which reported on the symposium, changed from last year’s arrogant heading, “In Place of God,” to this year’s more sober title, “God’s Place in a Rational World” (see Reilly, 2007, 196[2629]:7, emp. added). Michael Reilly gave some insight into the meeting by recording what one attendee, Edward Slingerland of the University of British Columbia, openly acknowledged:

“Religion is not going away,” he announced. Even those of us who fancy ourselves rationalists and scientists, he said, rely on moral values—a set of distinctly unscientific beliefs.

Where, for instance, does our conviction that human rights are universal come from? “Humans’ rights to me are as mysterious as the holy trinity.... You can’t do a CT scan to show where humans’ rights are, you can’t cut someone open and show us their human rights.... It’s not an empirical thing, it’s just something we strongly believe. It’s a purely metaphysical entity” (p. 7).

Although some at the conference naïvely believe that “[g]iven time and persistence, science will conquer all of nature’s mysteries” (Reilly, 2007, p. 7, emp. added), it is encouraging to know that at least one person alluded to one of the greatest proofs for God’s existence—the moral argument.

The fact is, morality exists and makes sense only if there is a God, because only God could have created it. All naturalistic explanations for the existence of morality have been shown to be inadequate. What’s more, scientists admit that they still cannot logically explain the existence of morals. In truth, the only logical explanation must be supernatural (i.e., the God of the Bible). [NOTE: To read more on the moral argument for God’s existence, see Jackson, 1995.]

REFERENCES

Brooks, Michael (2006), “In Place of God,” New Scientist, 192[2578]:8-11, November 18.

Jackson, Wayne (1995), “The Case for the Existence of God [Part III],” Reason & Revelation, 15[7]:49-55, July, [On-line], URL: http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=12&article=362.

Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (2007), “Militant Atheism,” Reason & Revelation, 27[1]:1-5, January, [On-line], URL: http://apologeticspress.org/articles/3195.

Reilly, Michael (2007), “God’s Place in a Rational World,” New Scientist, 196[2629]:7, November 10.

"THE EPISTLE OF JAMES" The Implanted Word (1:21-25)

"THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

The Implanted Word (1:21-25)

                                
INTRODUCTION

1. This study is based upon Jm 1:21-25, in which we read concerning
   "The Implanted Word" (the KJV uses the word "Engrafted"):

   21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
   naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is
   able to save your souls. 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not
   hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer
   of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
   natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his
   way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But
   whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
   [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,
   this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1)

2. Several observations can be made about the Word of God from this
   passage, and the first pertains to what the Word is able to do in our
   lives...

I. THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

   A. NOTICE THE WORDS OF JAMES HIMSELF...
      1. "which is able to save your souls" (1:21)
      2. Stated very clearly, the Word of God has the power to SAVE OUR SOULS!

   [To see how, let's consider some other scriptures...]

   B. ITS POWER TO SAVE IS FOUND IN ITS ABILITY TO...
      1. CREATE ANEW
         a. I.e., to cause us to be born again - 1Pe 1:22-25; Jm 1:18
         b. This is because of what the Word of God contains:  God's
            way of salvation through Jesus Christ!
      2. SANCTIFY
         a. The word "sanctify" means to "set apart for a holy purpose"
         b. David sang of the Word's ability to sanctify God's people
            - Ps 19:7-11
         c. In His prayer, Jesus spoke of the sanctifying influence of
            God's Word - Jn 17:15-17
         d. Thus the Word of God can serve to set us apart for His purpose!
      3. PRESERVE
         a. The young were told to preserve their way by the Word of
            God - Ps 119:9,11
         b. The elders were admonished to keep the church pure by
            the same Word - Ac 20:28-32

[When we take the time to consider the POWER of the Word of God, it
becomes evident that the Word is very important to the Christian!

But the value of "The Implanted Word" can only be realized when
certain conditions are met.  We find those conditions mentioned in our text...]

II. BENEFITING FROM THE POWERFUL WORD OF GOD

   A. THERE ARE THINGS WE MUST LAY ASIDE! (21a)
      1. James mentions such things as "all filthiness and overflow of
         wickedness" (NKJV) - cf. Paul's description of things to
         lay aside - Col 3:5-9
      2. For the Word of God to bear its fruit in our lives, the "weeds
         of sin" must first be uprooted!
         a. We cannot hope to benefit from our study of the Word if we
            continue to dwell on that which is spiritually filthy and to
            engage in wickedness
         b. Could this be why many do not get much out of Bible study?

   B. WE MUST HAVE A PROPER ATTITUDE! (21b)
      1. James says to "receive with meekness" the Word of God
      2. A humble and receptive attitude is essential to get the most
         out of the Word of God
      3. It helps to remain humble if we remember two things:
         a. We are sinners too!
         b. We can be easily deceived also!
      4. We should study, not to learn facts, not to win debates, but to
         learn God's truth to save ourselves and those around us!
      5. Is this prayer of David our own?  "Open thou mine eyes, that I
         may behold wondrous things out of thy law." (Ps 119:18)

   C. THE WORD MUST BE "IMPLANTED" IN OUR HEARTS! (21b)
      1. It is only the "implanted" Word which can truly save our souls
         a. Therefore we must be sure to take the words out of the pages
            and implant them into our hearts!
         b. Otherwise we are no different from the Jews who gave lip
            service to their Words written on stone
      2. A distinguishing feature of the those under the NEW COVENANT
         is that the Word of God is to be WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS - He 8:6-13
      3. Where is the Word of God today?
         a. Is it only in ink inscribed on paper?
         b. Or we have we read it often enough, meditated upon it enough,
            that it has become IMPLANTED in our hearts as well?
      4. Is this possible without daily reading of the Bible?

   D. IT MUST BE APPLIED IN OUR LIVES! (22-25)
      1. We must be "doers of the Word and not hearers only"
      2. Otherwise, we deceive ourselves (and usually ONLY ourselves)
         a. God is not deceived
         b. Nor is the devil
         c. Most likely our children will see through us
         d. And so will many others!
      3. Notice that the true blessedness of the Word comes...
         a. NOT by "looking into the perfect law of liberty" ALONE
         b. BUT by "continuing in it," and being "a doer of the work"
      4. Yes, it is not just the READING of the Word which provides JOY,
         PEACE and HAPPINESS, but the actual application of the Word in
         lives through faithful obedience!

CONCLUSION

1. Notice that James calls the Word of God the "perfect law of liberty"
   - Jm 1:25
   a. This is because in its power to:
      * CREATE ANEW
      * SANCTIFY
      * PRESERVE
   b.  ...it provides TRUE FREEDOM:  LIBERATION FROM THE GUILT AND
      DOMINION OF SIN!

2. Of course, what gives the Word this power is the message it contains:
   THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (God's power unto salvation - Ro 1:16)

3. Undoubtedly you have heard it...but hearing it is not enough!
   a. You must lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness - that
      is, to REPENT - Ac 17:30-31
   b. You must receive the message of the gospel with meekness - in other
      words, to BELIEVE - Jn 3:16
   c. You must also be a "doer of the Word" - for example, to OBEY HIS
      COMMAND TO BE BAPTIZED
      1) For Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who OBEY
         Him - He 5:9
      2) And in addition to the commands to believe and repent, He calls
         us to be baptized! - Mk 16:16; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:38; 22:16

Receive with meekness these very words of Jesus and His apostles, for
that is how the Word of God is able to save your soul!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

 

A man and a wall by Gary Rose

This picture (actually Ezekiel 22:30) has been used to advocate the building of a wall between The U.S.A. and Mexico. Sounds great, but there is more to the story than just ONE verse. If you look at the whole chapter, you will quickly see that Israel had become corrupt and deserved to be destroyed for their many, many sins. For the sake of brevity, I have quoted from just one of the series of God’s pronouncements in the chapter.

Ezekiel 22 ( World English Bible )

Eze 22:23, The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 22:24, Son of man, tell her, You are a land that is not cleansed, nor rained on in the day of indignation.

Eze 22:25, There is a conspiracy of her prophets in its midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in its midst.

Eze 22:26, Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Eze 22:27, Her princes in its midst are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.

Eze 22:28, Her prophets have daubed for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the Lord Yahweh, when Yahweh has not spoken.

Eze 22:29, The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yes, they have troubled the poor and needy, and have oppressed the foreigner wrongfully.

Eze 22:30, I sought for a man among them, who should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.

Eze 22:31, Therefore have I poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought on their heads, says the Lord Yahweh. ( Emphasis added)

Israel sinned and God sought for a man to build the wall and change things in that nation, but found none. God can use walls and HE can use specific people to change the course of a nation.

The wall between the U.S.A. and Mexico should be built to keep unvetted, undesirable people out. But our problem is more extensive than just that. We need to deport those who have entered the country illegally, change the broken immigration system by enacting tougher laws and enforcing them. There is also the issue of sin in our country. Like Israel of old, America has become throughly corrupt and almost beyond help. Unlike Israel, we have Donald Trump (as imperfect as he is) to stand in the gap and attempt to change things.

As far sin goes – if America turns back to God, there is hope! Please pray for our country!

Bible Reading March 27, 28 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading March 27, 28

World  English  Bible

Mar. 27

Leviticus 9, 10

Lev 9:1 It happened on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

Lev 9:2 and he said to Aaron, "Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before Yahweh.

Lev 9:3 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt offering;

Lev 9:4 and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Yahweh; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Yahweh appears to you.' "

Lev 9:5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting: and all the congregation drew near and stood before Yahweh.

Lev 9:6 Moses said, "This is the thing which Yahweh commanded that you should do: and the glory of Yahweh shall appear to you."

Lev 9:7 Moses said to Aaron, "Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as Yahweh commanded."

Lev 9:8 So Aaron drew near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.

Lev 9:9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar:

Lev 9:10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar; as Yahweh commanded Moses.

Lev 9:11 The flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

Lev 9:12 He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar.

Lev 9:13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burned them upon the altar.

Lev 9:14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar.

Lev 9:15 He presented the people's offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first.

Lev 9:16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

Lev 9:17 He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.

Lev 9:18 He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar,

Lev 9:19 and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver:

Lev 9:20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar:

Lev 9:21 and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses commanded.

Lev 9:22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

Lev 9:23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people.

Lev 9:24 There came forth fire from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Lev 10:1 Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them.

Lev 10:2 And fire came forth from before Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh.

Lev 10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what Yahweh spoke of, saying, 'I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' " Aaron held his peace.

Lev 10:4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Draw near, carry your brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp."

Lev 10:5 So they drew near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said.

Lev 10:6 Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, "Don't let the hair of your heads go loose, neither tear your clothes; that you don't die, and that he not be angry with all the congregation: but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which Yahweh has kindled.

Lev 10:7 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you." They did according to the word of Moses.

Lev 10:8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, saying,

Lev 10:9 "Drink no wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you don't die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:

Lev 10:10 and that you are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Lev 10:11 and that you are to teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Yahweh has spoken to them by Moses."

Lev 10:12 Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, "Take the meal offering that remains of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar; for it is most holy;

Lev 10:13 and you shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your portion, and your sons' portion, of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire: for so I am commanded.

Lev 10:14 The waved breast and the heaved thigh you shall eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons' portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel.

Lev 10:15 The heaved thigh and the waved breast they shall bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh: and it shall be yours, and your sons' with you, as a portion forever; as Yahweh has commanded."

Lev 10:16 Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burned: and he was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying,

Lev 10:17 "Why haven't you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, seeing it is most holy, and he has given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Yahweh?

Lev 10:18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary: you certainly should have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded."

Lev 10:19 Aaron spoke to Moses, "Behold, this day they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before Yahweh; and such things as these have happened to me: and if I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?"

Lev 10:20 When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.

Mar. 28

Leviticus 11, 12

Lev 11:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,

Lev 11:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.

Lev 11:3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.

Lev 11:4 " 'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.

Lev 11:5 The coney, because he chews the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.

Lev 11:6 The hare, because she chews the cud but doesn't part the hoof, she is unclean to you.

Lev 11:7 The pig, because he has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn't chew the cud, he is unclean to you.

Lev 11:8 Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.

Lev 11:9 " 'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat.

Lev 11:10 All that don't have fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you,

Lev 11:11 and you detest them. You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses.

Lev 11:12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you.

Lev 11:13 " 'These you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture,

Lev 11:14 and the red kite, any kind of black kite,

Lev 11:15 any kind of raven,

Lev 11:16 the horned owl, the screech owl, and the gull, any kind of hawk,

Lev 11:17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,

Lev 11:18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,

Lev 11:19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Lev 11:20 " 'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.

Lev 11:21 Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth.

Lev 11:22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.

Lev 11:23 But all winged creeping things which have four feet, are an abomination to you.

Lev 11:24 " 'By these you will become unclean: whoever touches the carcass of them shall be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:25 Whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:26 " 'Every animal which parts the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor chews the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.

Lev 11:27 Whatever goes on its paws, among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:28 He who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you.

Lev 11:29 " 'These are they which are unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,

Lev 11:30 the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.

Lev 11:31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead, shall be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:32 On whatever any of them falls when they are dead, it shall be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel it is, with which any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; then it will be clean.

Lev 11:33 Every earthen vessel, into which any of them falls, all that is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.

Lev 11:34 All food which may be eaten, that on which water comes, shall be unclean; and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Lev 11:35 Everything whereupon part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces: they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you.

Lev 11:36 Nevertheless a spring or a cistern in which water is a gathered shall be clean: but that which touches their carcass shall be unclean.

Lev 11:37 If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean.

Lev 11:38 But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

Lev 11:39 " 'If any animal, of which you may eat, dies; he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:40 He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

Lev 11:41 " 'Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten.

Lev 11:42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

Lev 11:43 You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled thereby.

Lev 11:44 For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.

Lev 11:45 For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Lev 11:46 " 'This is the law of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth,

Lev 11:47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.' "

Lev 12:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 12:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her monthly period she shall be unclean.

Lev 12:3 In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Lev 12:4 She shall continue in the blood of purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed.

Lev 12:5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her period; and she shall continue in the blood of purification sixty-six days.

Lev 12:6 " 'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering:

Lev 12:7 and he shall offer it before Yahweh, and make atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. " 'This is the law for her who bears, whether a male or a female.

Lev 12:8 If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons; the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.' "

Mar. 27, 28

Mark 16

Mar 16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mar 16:2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

Mar 16:3 They were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"

Mar 16:4 for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.

Mar 16:5 Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

Mar 16:6 He said to them, "Don't be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!

Mar 16:7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.' "

Mar 16:8 They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.

Mar 16:9 Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Mar 16:10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

Mar 16:11 When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.

Mar 16:12 After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

Mar 16:13 They went away and told it to the rest. They didn't believe them, either.

Mar 16:14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn't believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Mar 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.

Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

Mar 16:17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

Mar 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Mar 16:19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Mar 16:20 They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.