EPHESIANS by Paul Southern

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Southern/Paul/1901/eph.html

EPHESIANS

1. THE TITLE

This epistle is called "Ephesians" because it is addressed to "the saints that are at Ephesus" (1:1).

2. THE WRITER

From the inscription in verse 1 we learn that Paul was the writer.

3. TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING

Evidence indicates that Paul wrote the letter about A.D. 62 during his first imprisonment at Rome (6:20; Acts 28:30,31). Apparently it was written about the time of the Colossian letter, and Tychicus was the bearer of both (6:21; Col. 4:7; 4:16). Some scholars hold that Philemon was also sent at the same time.

4. THE CITY OF EPHESUS

Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and a great religious, commercial and political center. It was noted for two famous buildings: the great theatre which had a seating capacity of 50,000; and the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus has been called the third capital of Christianity, being the center of gospel work in Asia. Jerusalem, birthplace of the church, is the first, and Antioch, center of mission work, is the second. Next to Rome, Ephesus was the most important city that Paul visited.

5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH

The Ephesian church was probably founded by Paul. He visited there toward the close of his second missionary tour and preached in the synagogue. Leaving behind him Priscilla and Aquila, he continued on to Jerusalem (Acts 18:19,21). On his third journey, Paul came to Ephesus again (Acts 19:1), and remained there about three years (Acts 19:8-10: 20:31). On the return from his third mission trip, he stopped at Miletus, 30 miles away, and sent for the elders of Ephesus to whom he delivered the famous farewell address recorded in Acts 20.

6. THE EPISTLE

Since the words at Ephesus (1:1) do not appear in some ancient manuscripts, some suppose this letter to be "the epistle from Laodicea," referred to in Colossians 4:16. Others think that it was a circular letter to the churches of Asia Minor. Being a prison epistle, it is filled with pathos. The church, the body of Christ, is the theme. The letter is quite similar to, but also quite different from Colossians. Each is half doctrinal and half practical. Ephesians discusses church-hood, or the church as the body of Christ; Colossians discusses Christ-hood, or Christ the head of the church. From the contents we conclude that no special circumstances prompted the writing of the Ephesian letter. The general object of the epistle is to present the ground, the course, the aim and end of the Lord's church. The Ephesian assembly is, in some respects, set forth as a sample or type of the universal church. Throughout the epistle we read of the church in the singular, never in the plural. Paul shows that the origin of the church is the will of God; the course of the church is by the satisfaction of the Son; the end of the church is a life of dedication directed by the Holy Spirit through the word. The epistle is said to present the profoundest truth revealed to men. Since Paul spent such a long time among the Ephesians, perhaps no church group was better prepared to appreciate and appropriate the great spiritual principles contained in the epistle.

7. EXERCISES FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY
1. Completion
1. The Ephesian letter was written about the year A.D. ___________.
2. Ephesians was written while the writer was in prison at ___________.
3. ___________ wrote the letter to the Ephesians.
4. Ephesus has been called the ___________ capital of Christianity.
5. Some identify Ephesians as "the epistle from ___________.
6. The New Testament records that Paul visited in Ephesus ___________ times.
7. Ephesus' temple of ___________ was one of the seven ancient wonders.
8. Paul first visited Ephesus on his ___________ missionary journey.
9. On his second visit to Ephesus, Paul spent about ___________ years there.
10. Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders was delivered at ___________.
11. ___________ carried the Ephesian letter to Ephesus.
12. Ephesians was written about the time of the ___________ letter.
13. The church, the ___________ of Christ, is the theme of Ephesians.
14. Colossians discusses ___________-hood.
15. Some think that Ephesians was a ___________ letter.
2. Topics for further study
1. From Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias learn all that you can about the city of Ephesus.
2. Summarize the teaching of Ephesians concerning the church under the following headings: origin, work, and end.
3. Prepare a brief paper on "The Gospel in Ephesians."
4. Summarize the principles of Christian sociology set forth in Ephesians, noting the following relationships: husband-wife; child-parents; servant-master; church-community.
5. Make a list of all the blessings in Christ.
6. Give Paul's description of the "children of light."
7. What does Ephesians teach concerning God's "eternal purpose?"
8. Explain the exalted nature and office of Christ as presented in Ephesians.
9. In all human relations what should be the Christian's relation to Christ?

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

PREDESTINED IS NOT PRESELECTED BY STEVE FINNELL

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/02/predestined-is-not-preselected-by-steve.html

PREDESTINED IS NOT PRESELECTED BY STEVE FINNELL

God predestined that the church of Christ would received salvation. God did not preselect every individual that was to be saved.

If God selected each individual for salvation, then that would mean He selected every other person to be lost.

Ephesians 1:4-13 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. He predestined us to adoption as sons  through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to to the kind intention of His will, ........13 In Him you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation---having also believed, you were seal in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Who was predestined? Those who believed were predestined. God's will was that all who believed would be saved.

WHOM DID GOD WANT TO BE SAVED?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten  Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God loves the whole world, not just a preselected few.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 ...that man Jesus Christ, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Jesus paid the ransom for all men, not just for a preselected few.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 ....God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

God wants all men to be saved, not just those who believe they have been preselected for salvation.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

The Lord does not wish for any to perish. God does not preselect men to spend eternity in hell. Men go there by choice. If God preselected who was going to be the saved and lost, then He would not have to be patient.

Matthew 10:32-33 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Everyone who confesses Jesus will be saved. Everyone who denies Jesus will be lost. Salvation is a choice, it is not a mandate. God does not preselect men to confess Jesus nor to deny Him.

Hebrew 2:9....Jesus...so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

Jesus died for everyone, not just for those who embrace the doctrines of John Calvin.

Romans 10:13 for "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.''

The apostle Paul did not say whoever has been preselected for salvation and calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 17:30-31 Therefore having overlooked times of ignorance,God is now declaring to men that people everywhere should repent....

Why would God tell men who had been preselected to be lost, to repent? Why? Because there is no preselection. Why? Because the gospel is available to all men, not just a preselected few.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

God grace is available to all men who hear the gospel and obey God's terms for pardon. THERE IS NO PRESELECTION OF INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION!

Should You Live Together Before Saying “I Do”? by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

https://thepreachersword.com/2015/08/13/should-you-live-together-before-saying-i-do/

Should You Live Together Before Saying “I Do”?

“The headline caught my eye: “Is it OK to live together before marriage’”, wrote Rubel Shelly in a recent Fax of Life.

Shelly said he knew what the answer would be before he read it. So did I! The internet is filled with blogs with titles like “5 Reasons you shouldn’t say ‘I Do’ Before Living Together First.”

Talk shows, tabloids and modern movies go beyond glorifying shacking-up before marriage, they make it seem normal. It’s expected. In fact, if you don’t, you’re the one that’s abnormal.

In the article Shelly cited the female writer who said, “I want to test-drive the car before I purchase it.”

I love Rubel’s response. “I challenge both the metaphor and the motive that appears to lie behind it. They reflect a wrong-headed view of healthy human relationships.”

“First, there is the analogy between marriage and test-driving a car. It is at least a bit better than the writer’s other analogy in the same article: getting some milk for free before having to buy the cow.”

“Automobiles are machines without reason, feelings, or commitments. They serve an owner’s ends. They are tools for their user’s purposes. Are we admitting to that sort of utilitarian view of people? Kant said the ultimate evil in human life is to treat a human being as a means to an end. Jesus said the way to view another person is to see him or her as worthy of the treatment you want for yourself.”

“Maybe my thinking is all messed up, but I can’t really imagine that anyone wants to be test-driven, milked, or otherwise used and then discarded to the junkyard or returned to the lot as a ‘clunker.’”

“Second, Kant (philosophy) and Jesus (faith) aside, the sheer decision-by-statistics method argues against cohabitation as either substitute for or prelude to marriage. Multiple studies have documented lower levels of marital satisfaction and higher vulnerabilities to divorce by cohabiters who ultimately do get married.”

While there is some disagreement among the “experts” about the higher instance of divorce among cohabiters, there can be no disagreement that all such living arrangements fall under the condemnation of fornication. At least, if you believe the Bible.

Our post-modernistic, humanistic culture scoffs at Biblical principles of virtue, chastity and sexual purity. They shout that such notions are old-fashioned, outdated, and unrealistic. Ironically, Christianity was born in an extremely perverse and sexually immoral era in the world’s history. These Bible commands must have sounded strange to that corrupt culture.

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” (Eph 5:3)

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” (I Cor. 6:19-20)

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness.” (Gal. 5:19).

Truth hasn’t changed. God’s wisdom in marriage has stood the test of time, It is the only safe and spiritually right way to enjoy sexual relationships. God’s plan is simple. One man for one woman for life.

Rubel was right, “Loving relationships are about giving oneself to another, not sampling to one’s own taste. Maybe that exposes the root of such poor advice: selfishness”.

“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Heb 13:4)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Of Wine And Wineskins (2:22) by Mark Copeland

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

Of Wine And Wineskins (2:22)

 

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus was questioned about fasting, He replied with three illustrations...
   a. Bridegroom and friends - Mk 2:19-20
   b. Patches and garments - Mk 2:21
   c. Wine and wineskins - Mk 2:22

2. The illustration most remembered is that of wine and wineskins...
   a. Jesus used it to show the incongruity of mixing His gospel with the Judaistic system
   b. Others have taken the illustration much farther, often to teach things Jesus did not

[One might make a broader use of the illustration of wine and wineskins,
but the end result should not contradict Jesus' own use of it.  Taking a
closer look, let's first note some...]

I. IMPLICATIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATION

   A. NEW WINE IMPLIES NEW BLESSINGS...
      1. Jesus implied His teaching would be like new wine, requiring new wineskins
      2. This "new wine" would include blessings for those who believe in Him
      3. For example, true forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice - cf. He 10:10-12
      4. Also, the blessing of the Spirit in some new way - cf. Jn 7:37-39
      -- New wine:  new blessings for those who would be His disciples

   B. NEW WINESKINS IMPLIES NEW STRUCTURES...
      1. Jesus intimated that His blessings would be packaged anew in new wineskins
      2. The "new wineskins" would be the means by which blessings are presented and preserved
      3. For example, through baptism instead of circumcision - cf. Co 2:11-13
      4. Also, through a spiritual tabernacle rather than a physical one - cf. He 9:9-11
      5. Jesus gave His apostles the "structure" by which He wanted His
         blessings to be presented and shared (i.e., apostolic doctrine)
         - e.g., Ac 2:42; 1Co 4:17; 11:2; 14:33-37
      -- New wineskins:  new structures by which those blessings would be enjoyed

[Once we properly understand the implications of Jesus' use of wine and
wineskins, we are less likely to misuse it should we make broader
application.  Allow me, if I may, to offer four...]

II. EXTENSIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATION

   A. SOME PUT JESUS' WINE IN OLD TESTAMENT WINESKINS...
      1. That is what Jesus said would be inappropriate in regards to fasting
      2. That is, trying to force Jesus' "wine" into the wineskins of the Old Testament
      3. Even so, note some examples in which people have done this:
         a. Ritualistic fasting instead of appropriate fasting - Didache 8:1-2
         b. Separate priesthood instead of the priesthood of all believers - 1Pe 2:5,9
         c. Instrumental music instead of making melody with the heart - Ep 5:19
         d. Infant baptism, based on the OT rite of circumcision - cf. Col 2:11-12
      -- Early on, many have tried to enwrap Jesus' "wine" with OT "wineskins"

   B. SOME PUT JESUS' WINE IN THEIR OWN WINESKINS...
      1. Others try to package Jesus' "wine" in the wineskins of modern concepts
      2. They respect the "aged wine", but feel it needs to be re-packaged
      3. Thus the frequent call for change, in such areas as:
         a. Church organization (denominationalism, sponsoring churches)
         b. Church worship (modern dance, praise teams)
         c. Church work (social programs, family entertainment)
         d. Church leadership (popes, metropolitan bishops, priests,
            team leaders, women pastors)
      -- This attitude fails to appreciate the value of the original "wineskin"

   C. SOME PUT THEIR OWN WINE IN JESUS' WINESKINS...
      1. Then some believe the Spirit is guiding them to new revelation
      2. While they may respect the "old wineskin", they want "new wine"
      3. Thus the call to update the teaching of the church, in such areas as:
         a. New doctrines (social gospel, liberation theology, health and wealth gospel)
         b. New lifestyles (divorce and remarriage, homosexuality, same-sex marriages)
      -- This attitude fails to appreciate the value of the original "wine"

   D. SOME PUT THEIR OWN WINE IN THEIR OWN WINESKINS...
      1. Some believe the Spirit guides them to make total changes
      2. Changing both the message (wine) and the organization (wineskin)
      3. Examples of such extreme makeovers include:
         a. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists
         b. Others with their parachurch organizations
      -- This attitude reflects disregard for both the original "wine" and "wineskin"

CONCLUSION

1. Many believe we can simply discard the "wine" and "wineskin" Jesus gave...
   a. That we can repackage His wine with wineskins as we see fit
   b. That we can even replace His wine with new wines of our own

2. Dare we presume to believe that we can improve on anything Jesus has given us...?
   a. The blessings which are all-sufficient to life and godliness? - cf. 2Pe 1:3
   b. The structures which have presented and preserved these blessings? - cf. 2Ti 3:16-17; Jude 3

3. After two millennia, Jesus' "new wine" is now "old"...
   a. But like literal wine, the old is better than the new
   b. Best served from the container in which it has been preserved

Rather than coming up with "new wine" and "new wineskins" of our own
making, we should seek that given by Jesus and His apostles.  Therefore
the words of Jeremiah seem appropriate...

   Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the
   old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will
   find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" - Jer 6:16 

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

“How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?” by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2624

“How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?”

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Stuart Clark, of New Scientist magazine, recently asked the question, “How come Earth got all the good stuff?” Of all the planets in our solar system that allegedly formed naturalistically “from the same cloud of gas and dust that surrounded the sun more than 4.5 billion years ago,” why is “Earth...so suitable for life” (Clark, 2008, 199[2675]:29)? Stuart acknowledged:

We know that its distance from the sun provides the right amount of heat and light to make the planet habitable, but that alone is not enough. Without the unique mix of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur that makes up living things, and without liquid water on the planet’s surface, life as we know it could not have evolved. Chemically speaking, Earth is simply better set up for life than its neighbours. So how come we got all the good stuff? (p. 29).

How did Earth get to be just the right distance from the Sun so that it receives “the right amount of heat and light to make the planet habitable” (emp. added)? How did Earth get such a “unique mix” of all the elements that make up living things? How did Earth “acquire its life-giving water supply?” (p. 29). Did Earth become the “just-right” planet by happenstance?

Clark said that our best hope to find clues about Earth’s origin is from meteorites, since “they formed at the same time as the planets” (p. 29). However, he admitted: “[T]here are subtle differences that are proving tough to explain. For example, the mix of oxygen isotopes in chondritic meteorites does not match those found on Earth. So far no one knows why, but since oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust...it is a mystery that cannot be ignored” (p. 29, emp. added). Regarding Earth’s “life-giving water supply,” Clarke suggested that “[t]he most popular explanation is that the water arrived later, in the form of icy comets from the outer solar system that rained down in the period known as the ‘Late Heavy Bombardment.’ As yet, though, there is no firm evidence to confirm this as the source of Earth’s water” (p. 30).

Though atheistic scientists have attempted to answer these and similar questions for many years, still no one has a legitimate naturalistic explanation for what New Scientist calls our planet’s “biggest mysteries” (p. 28). To conclude that Earth received just the right amount of “carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur” by time, chance, and non-intelligence is irrational. When does time, chance, and non-intelligence ever produce such wonderful effects? To conclude that the estimated 326 million cubic miles of water on Earth (“How Much Water...?,” 2008) are the result of “icy comets from the outer solar system” raining down on Earth millions of years ago is equally absurd.

The fact is, adequate non-intelligent, random, naturalistic causes for the “just-right” Earth do not exist. The only rational explanation for the precise design of Earth, the cosmos as a whole, and life on Earth is an intelligent supernatural Creator.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:20-22).

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

REFERENCES

Clark, Stuart (2008), “How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?,” New Scientist, 199[2675]: 29-30, September 27.

“How Much Water is on Earth?” (2008), Livescience.com, [On-line], URL: http://www.livescience.com/mysteries/070621_llm_water.html.

“If There is a God, Let Him Strike Me Dead Right Now!” by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=5610

“If There is a God, Let Him Strike Me Dead Right Now!”

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Most of us have heard the age-old story about the unbelieving professor. He stands in front of his class and demands that there is no God. “If there is a God,” he challenges, “then let Him strike me dead right here and now.” He pauses for dramatic effect and waits 30 seconds. When nothing happens, he proclaims his atheistic position as the victor and gloats, “Just as I suspected, I’m still alive. There is no God.” Supposedly, just because God does not do exactly as he demands at that particular instant, then that proves there is no God. But let’s critically assess this emotional appeal (because it certainly is not a logical argument) and see how we could rationally respond to it.

Is it true that someone who has the power to do something should always do it when called upon to do it? For instance, suppose a criminal robs a bank and murders several people. A policeman arrives on the scene pointing his pistol at the criminal. The criminal drops his gun and begins to taunt the cop. “You gonna shoot me with that gun? I bet you don’t even have any bullets loaded. You are probably a terrible shot anyway. If you do have a loaded gun, and you think you could hit me, go ahead. Pull the trigger. Shoot me, if you are a cop.” If the policeman has a loaded gun and is a good shot, should he shoot the criminal, just to prove that he can? Of course not. There could be some very good reasons why the policeman, when taunted to show his power, refuses to respond.

Now think about our professor. He demands that God kill him on the spot to “prove” that God exists. He is taunting God just as the criminal did the policeman. Could there be legitimate reasons as to why God does not strike him dead? Certainly. Maybe the professor is going to convert to Christianity in several years and be a strong force for good in the world. Maybe the professor is going to teach one of his students something about medical science that leads that student to find a cure for cancer, and that student ends up being a Christian who gives God the glory for the discovery. Maybe the professor is going to have a child that rebels against his father’s atheism, becomes a Christian and does mission work for many years. Since God is the only being Who knows all the possible ramifications of every thought and action, only He would be in a position to know how to respond in such a situation.

Throughout the course of human history God has worked His will through miraculous and through what we would call natural means (often called providence). In many eras of history He has used both at the same time; but in some instances and epochs, He has worked primarily through providence with very little or no recognizable miraculous activity. It is important to understand this truth, since it is often affirmed that if God has worked miracles in the past to aid His people, then He “should” be doing the same today. For instance, agnostic professor Bart Ehrman demands, “If he [God] could do miracles for his people throughout the Bible, where is he today when your son is killed in a car accident, or your husband gets multiple sclerosis, or civil war is unleashed in Iraq, or the Iranians decide to pursue their nuclear ambitions?”¹ This idea is well-illustrated on Marshall Brain’s Web site whywontgodhealamputees.com. According to Brain, the fact that God does not miraculously regrow limbs proves that He is imaginary. He says, “Nothing happens when we pray for amputated limbs. God never regenerates lost limbs through prayer…. Does God answer prayers? If so, then how do we explain this disconnection between God and amputees?”²

Notice that Brain, Ehrman, and the atheistic professor insist that if God is capable of miracles (or striking a person dead), then we should see those things happening today. But why must that be the case? Could it be that an all-knowing God has very good reasons why He is not at work in the same miraculous ways He worked in the past? In addition, the same Bible that tells us about God’s miracles also lays out a very strong case for God working through providential means. To demand that God must operate in the way that we insist He operate is more than slightly presumptuous, especially in light of the fact that He has given us ample information about other ways He works.

Ehrman and other unbelievers challenge Christians to produce modern miracles as evidence that God intervenes in the world today. They do so, however, refusing to recognize two important truths. First, even during the ages of human history when God performed miracles, He did not intervene to stop all suffering. People still got sick, had accidents, broke bones, suffered emotionally, and died. It is as if the skeptic insists that the Bible paints a picture of a God who swooped in miraculously to stop all suffering. Such was never the case. Miracles were isolated events designed to confirm the validity of the message of certain divine messengers.³ The Bible has never presented them as a wholesale answer to the problem of pain and suffering. Second, to insist that God must use miracles today just because He has the power to do so discounts the pervasive biblical theme of providence. Throughout history, one of God’s primary modes of operation has been to providentially work through natural laws. To deny that this is the case is to turn a deaf ear to a massive amount of biblical testimony.

Endnotes

¹ Bart Erhman (2008), God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question—Why We Suffer (New York: HarperOne), p. 274.

² Marshall Brain (2014), “Why Won’t God Heal Amputees?” http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/.

³ Dave Miller (2003), “Modern-Day Miracles, Tongue-Speaking, and Holy Spirit Baptism: A Refutation,” Apologetics Press, https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=264&topic=293.

 

“The Internet Is Where Religion Goes To Die” by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1708

“The Internet Is Where Religion Goes To Die”

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

On September 29, 2011, I debated Blair Scott, the Director of Communications for American Atheists, Inc. During the debate, he made several comments regarding religion in general and Christianity specifically. One of the more memorable statements he made was: “The Internet is where religion goes to die.” I remember sitting on stage thinking that this statement was completely without merit, and the statistics from the Apologetics Press site alone show just how false it is.

So far, in 2011, the Lord has used the Apologetics Press Web site to disseminate an average of 662,900 electronic pages of information every month. That means that if things continue like this for the rest of the year, the site will receive 7.95 million hits this year alone. That is an average of about 21,853 pages a day, 910 pages an hour, 15 pages per minute, or about one page clicked every four seconds. While it may be true that some “religions” go to die on the Internet, New Testament Christianity is not one of them. In fact, the Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and it never returns to the Lord void (Isaiah 55:11).

We would encourage all of our readers to have a part in spreading God’s Word via the Internet. If your church or business has a Web site, link it to the A.P. site. That will boost our ratings on Web search engines, and will provide your visitors with an opportunity to access scripturally sound, relevant materials. Tell your friends on Facebook about the site. Send them links to specific articles that you think might interest them. The Web and our site (along with many other solid brotherhood sites) are a great way to fulfill the great commission of going into all the world and teaching the Gospel. In truth, the Internet is one place where New Testament Christianity goes to thrive.

The Cross by Gary Rose

This picture answers the question: What was the value of Jesus dying on the cross? Without doubt, this singular act was the most important event in all of human history. It marked a new epoch in the existence of human beings; namely, one of hope.

Jesus, as God’s sacrifice for sin, showed the way for us to overcome sin – by faith. Jesus was not only the son-of-God, but also an example of what Adam should have been- a man of faith who trusts God the Father, completely.

Sunday morning, our Bible class was about Hebrews 11, that great chapter on those who were faithful and this picture reminds me of what we will study this next Lord’s Day. Hebrews, chapter 12 begins with…

Hebrews 12 ( World English Bible )

¹ Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our existence on this planet is far more than mere living, it is an opportunity to show by our lives the value of obeying God. God the Father exalted Jesus for his faith and will ultimately bless us for ours.

Today, reflect on this simple picture of the cross and how it should impact your life. What you do with that understanding will eventually be exhibited before your fellow human beings. I pray that you will determine to follow Jesus’ example and show to the world exactly how much you love God. Will you?

 

Bible Reading November 30 and December 1for by Gary Rose

 

November 30 and December 1

World  English  Bible

 

Nov. 30

Eze 13:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say you to those who prophesy out of their own heart, Hear you the word of Yahweh:

Eze 13:3 Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Eze 13:4 Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.

Eze 13:5 You have not gone up into the gaps, neither built up the wall for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of Yahweh.

Eze 13:6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Yahweh says; but Yahweh has not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.

Eze 13:7 Haven't you seen a false vision, and haven't you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, Yahweh says; but I have not spoken?

Eze 13:8 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 13:9 My hand shall be against the prophets who see false visions, and who divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and when one builds up a wall, behold, they daub it with whitewash:

Eze 13:11 tell those who daub it with whitewash, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it.

Eze 13:12 Behold, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?

Eze 13:13 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath; and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.

Eze 13:14 So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in its midst: and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 13:15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have daubed it with whitewash; and I will tell you, The wall is no more, neither those who daubed it;

Eze 13:16 to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 13:17 You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against them,

Eze 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?

Eze 13:19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die, and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.

Eze 13:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against your pillows, with which you there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls go, even the souls who you hunt to make them fly.

Eze 13:21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 13:22 Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive:

Eze 13:23 Therefore you shall no more see false visions, nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel to me, and sat before me.

Eze 14:2 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

Eze 14:4 Therefore speak to them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet; I Yahweh will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols;

Eze 14:5 that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

Eze 14:6 Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Return you, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

Eze 14:7 For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, and takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I Yahweh will answer him by myself:

Eze 14:8 and I will set my face against that man, and will make him an astonishment, for a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 14:9 If the prophet be deceived and speak a word, I, Yahweh, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand on him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Eze 14:10 They shall bear their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet shall be even as the iniquity of him who seeks to him;

Eze 14:11 that the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 14:12 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 14:13 Son of man, when a land sins against me by committing a trespass, and I stretch out my hand on it, and break the staff of its bread, and send famine on it, and cut off from it man and animal;

Eze 14:14 though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 14:15 If I cause evil animals to pass through the land, and they ravage it, and it be made desolate, so that no man may pass through because of the animals;

Eze 14:16 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Yahweh, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only should be delivered, but the land should be desolate.

Eze 14:17 Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off from it man and animal;

Eze 14:18 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Yahweh, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only should be delivered themselves.

Eze 14:19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my wrath on it in blood, to cut off from it man and animal;

Eze 14:20 though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, says the Lord Yahweh, they should deliver neither son nor daughter; they should but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

Eze 14:21 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: How much more when I send my four sore judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil animals, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and animal!

Eze 14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be carried forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth to you, and you shall see their way and their doings; and you shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought on it.

Eze 14:23 They shall comfort you, when you see their way and their doings; and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 15:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 15:2 Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Eze 15:3 Shall wood be taken of it to make any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

Eze 15:4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and its midst is burned: is it profitable for any work?

Eze 15:5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work!

Eze 15:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Eze 15:7 I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the fire, but the fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am Yahweh, when I set my face against them.

Eze 15:8 I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 16:1 Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;

Eze 16:3 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh to Jerusalem: Your birth and your birth is of the land of the Canaanite; the Amorite was your father, and your mother was a Hittite.

Eze 16:4 As for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, neither were you washed in water to cleanse you; you weren't salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

Eze 16:5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you, to have compassion on you; but you were cast out in the open field, for that your person was abhorred, in the day that you were born.

Eze 16:6 When I passed by you, and saw you weltering in your blood, I said to you, Though you are in your blood, live; yes, I said to you, Though you are in your blood, live.

Eze 16:7 I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament; your breasts were fashioned, and your hair was grown; yet you were naked and bare.

Eze 16:8 Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness: yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord Yahweh, and you became mine.

Eze 16:9 Then washed I you with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.

Eze 16:10 I clothed you also with embroidered work, and shod you with sealskin, and I girded you about with fine linen, and covered you with silk.

Eze 16:11 I decked you with ornaments, and I put bracelets on your hands, and a chain on your neck.

Eze 16:12 I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.

Eze 16:13 Thus you were decked with gold and silver; and your clothing was of fine linen, and silk, and embroidered work; you ate fine flour, and honey, and oil; and you were exceeding beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.

Eze 16:14 Your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 16:15 But you did trust in your beauty, and played the prostitute because of your renown, and poured out your prostitution on everyone who passed by; his it was.

Eze 16:16 You took of your garments, and made for yourselves high places decked with various colors, and played the prostitute on them: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.

Eze 16:17 You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and played the prostitute with them;

Eze 16:18 and you took your embroidered garments, and covered them, and did set my oil and my incense before them.

Eze 16:19 My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, and oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you did even set it before them for a pleasant aroma; and thus it was, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 16:20 Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me, and these have you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your prostitution a small matter,

Eze 16:21 that you have slain my children, and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire to them?

Eze 16:22 In all your abominations and your prostitution you have not remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and was weltering in your blood.

Eze 16:23 It is happen after all your wickedness, (woe, woe to you! says the Lord Yahweh),

Eze 16:24 that you have built to you a vaulted place, and have made you a lofty place in every street.

Eze 16:25 You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution.

Eze 16:26 You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.

Eze 16:27 See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have diminished your ordinary food, and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way.

Eze 16:28 You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with them, and yet you weren't satisfied.

Eze 16:29 You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of merchants, to Chaldea; and yet you weren't satisfied with this.

Eze 16:30 How weak is your heart, says the Lord Yahweh, seeing you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;

Eze 16:31 in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way, and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a prostitute, in that you scorn pay.

Eze 16:32 A wife who commits adultery! who takes strangers instead of her husband!

Eze 16:33 They give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side for your prostitution.

Eze 16:34 You are different from other women in your prostitution, in that none follows you to play the prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different.

Eze 16:35 Therefore, prostitute, hear the word of Yahweh:

Eze 16:36 Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;

Eze 16:37 therefore see, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have taken pleasure, and all those who you have loved, with all those who you have hated; I will even gather them against you on every side, and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.

Eze 16:38 I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.

Eze 16:39 I will also give you into their hand, and they shall throw down your vaulted place, and break down your lofty places; and they shall strip you of your clothes, and take your beautiful jewels; and they shall leave you naked and bare.

Eze 16:40 They shall also bring up a company against you, and they shall stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.

Eze 16:41 They shall burn your houses with fire, and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women; and I will cause you to cease from playing the prostitute, and you shall also give no hire any more.

Eze 16:42 So will I cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from you, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

Eze 16:43 Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have raged against me in all these things; therefore, behold, I also will bring your way on your head, says the Lord Yahweh: and you shall not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.

Eze 16:44 Behold, everyone who uses proverbs shall use this proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

Eze 16:45 You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children: your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

Eze 16:46 Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. 

 

Dec. 1

Ezekiel 17-20

Eze 17:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 17:2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;

Eze 17:3 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: A great eagle with great wings and long feathers, full of feathers, which had various colors, came to Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:

Eze 17:4 he cropped off the topmost of the young twigs of it, and carried it to a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants.

Eze 17:5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful soil; he placed it beside many waters; he set it as a willow tree.

Eze 17:6 It grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Eze 17:7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

Eze 17:8 It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Eze 17:9 Say you, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up its roots, and cut off its fruit, that it may wither; that all its fresh springing leaves may wither? and not by a strong arm or much people can it be raised from its roots.

Eze 17:10 Yes, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind touches it? it shall wither in the beds where it grew.

Eze 17:11 Moreover the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 17:12 Say now to the rebellious house, Don't you know what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took its king, and its princes, and brought them to him to Babylon:

Eze 17:13 and he took of the seed royal, and made a covenant with him; he also brought him under an oath, and took away the mighty of the land;

Eze 17:14 that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

Eze 17:15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape who does such things? shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

Eze 17:16 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

Eze 17:17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company help him in the war, when they cast up mounds and build forts, to cut off many persons.

Eze 17:18 For he has despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet has done all these things; he shall not escape.

Eze 17:19 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: As I live, surely my oath that he has despised, and my covenant that he has broken, I will even bring it on his own head.

Eze 17:20 I will spread my net on him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will enter into judgment with him there for his trespass that he has trespassed against me.

Eze 17:21 All his fugitives in all his bands shall fall by the sword, and those who remain shall be scattered toward every wind: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it.

Eze 17:22 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will also take of the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain:

Eze 17:23 in the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all birds of every wing; in the shade of its branches shall they dwell.

Eze 17:24 All the trees of the field shall know that I, Yahweh, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish; I, Yahweh, have spoken and have done it.

Eze 18:1 The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying,

Eze 18:2 What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

Eze 18:3 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die.

Eze 18:5 But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,

Eze 18:6 and has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has defiled his neighbor's wife, neither has come near to a woman in her impurity,

Eze 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;

Eze 18:8 he who has not given forth on interest, neither has taken any increase, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man,

Eze 18:9 has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 18:10 If he fathers a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood, and who does any one of these things,

Eze 18:11 and who does not any of those duties, but even has eaten on the mountains, and defiled his neighbor's wife,

Eze 18:12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,

Eze 18:13 has given forth on interest, and has taken increase; shall he then live? he shall not live: he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be on him.

Eze 18:14 Now, behold, if he fathers a son, who sees all his father's sins, which he has done, and fears, and does not such like;

Eze 18:15 who has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, has not defiled his neighbor's wife,

Eze 18:16 neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;

Eze 18:17 who has withdrawn his hand from the poor, who has not received interest nor increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

Eze 18:18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he shall die in his iniquity.

Eze 18:19 Yet say you, Why does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? when the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.

Eze 18:20 The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.

Eze 18:21 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Eze 18:22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.

Eze 18:23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

Eze 18:24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die.

Eze 18:25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren't your ways unequal?

Eze 18:26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die.

Eze 18:27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

Eze 18:28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Eze 18:29 Yet says the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

Eze 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return you, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Eze 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.

Eze 19:1 Moreover, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,

Eze 19:2 and say, What was your mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her cubs.

Eze 19:3 She brought up one of her cubs: he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.

Eze 19:4 The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit; and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt.

Eze 19:5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her cubs, and made him a young lion.

Eze 19:6 He went up and down among the lions; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.

Eze 19:7 He knew their palaces, and laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and its fullness, because of the noise of his roaring.

Eze 19:8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces; and they spread their net over him; he was taken in their pit.

Eze 19:9 They put him in a cage with hooks, and brought him to the king of Babylon; they brought him into strongholds, that his voice should no more be heard on the mountains of Israel.

Eze 19:10 Your mother was like a vine, in your blood, planted by the waters: it was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

Eze 19:11 It had strong rods for the scepters of those who bore rule, and their stature was exalted among the thick boughs, and they were seen in their height with the multitude of their branches.

Eze 19:12 But it was plucked up in fury, it was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit: its strong rods were broken off and withered; the fire consumed them.

Eze 19:13 Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.

Eze 19:14 Fire is gone out of the rods of its branches, it has devoured its fruit, so that there is in it no strong rod to be a scepter to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Eze 20:1 It happened in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh, and sat before me.

Eze 20:2 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 20:3 Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will not be inquired of by you.

Eze 20:4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

Eze 20:5 and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am Yahweh your God;

Eze 20:6 in that day I swore to them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

Eze 20:7 I said to them, Cast you away every man the abominations of his eyes, and don't defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God.

Eze 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Eze 20:9 But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Eze 20:10 So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

Eze 20:11 I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them.

Eze 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

Eze 20:13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Eze 20:14 But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Eze 20:15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

Eze 20:16 because they rejected my ordinances, and didn't walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

Eze 20:17 Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn't destroy them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.

Eze 20:18 I said to their children in the wilderness, Don't you walk in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.

Eze 20:19 I am Yahweh your God: walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them;

Eze 20:20 and make my Sabbaths holy; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am Yahweh your God.

Eze 20:21 But the children rebelled against me; they didn't walk in my statutes, neither kept my ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Eze 20:22 Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Eze 20:23 Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;

Eze 20:24 because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

Eze 20:25 Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they should not live;

Eze 20:26 and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 20:27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

Eze 20:28 For when I had brought them into the land, which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there also they made their pleasant aroma, and they poured out there their drink offerings.

Eze 20:29 Then I said to them, What means the high place whereunto you go? So its name is called Bamah to this day.

Eze 20:30 Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Do you pollute yourselves after the manner of your fathers? and play you the prostitute after their abominations?

Eze 20:31 and when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? and shall I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will not be inquired of by you;

Eze 20:32 and that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, in that you say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

Eze 20:33 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you:

Eze 20:34 and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out;

Eze 20:35 and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.

Eze 20:36 Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 20:37 I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;

Eze 20:38 and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who disobey against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Eze 20:39 As for you, house of Israel, thus says the Lord Yahweh: Go you, serve everyone his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols.

Eze 20:40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, says the Lord Yahweh, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.

Eze 20:41 As a pleasant aroma will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

Eze 20:42 You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.

Eze 20:43 There you shall remember your ways, and all your doings, in which you have polluted yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.

Eze 20:44 You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have dealt with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel, says the Lord Yahweh.

Eze 20:45 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Eze 20:46 Son of man, set your face toward the south, and drop your word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;

Eze 20:47 and tell the forest of the South, Hear the word of Yahweh: Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.

Eze 20:48 All flesh shall see that I, Yahweh, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.

Eze 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord Yahweh! they say of me, Isn't he a speaker of parables? 

 

Nov. 30

James 3

Jas 3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

Jas 3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

Jas 3:3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

Jas 3:4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

Jas 3:5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

Jas 3:7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

Jas 3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Jas 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Jas 3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

Jas 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

Jas 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

Jas 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

Jas 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jas 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

 

Dec. 1

James 4

Jas 4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?

Jas 4:2 You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.

Jas 4:3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

Jas 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Jas 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"?

Jas 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Jas 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Jas 4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Jas 4:11 Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Jas 4:12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit."

Jas 4:14 Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

Jas 4:15 For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that."

Jas 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.

Jas 4:17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.