The Providence Of God by Louis Rushmore

 

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Rushmore/Louis/Everette/1954/providen.html

The Providence Of God

Like God himself (Genesis 1:1), providence is not precisely defined in the Bible. Neither does the word providence appear in the Bible with reference to God. However, God's providence is amply taught throughout the Bible.

There are two types of providence. There is general providence, under which all of humanity shares physical blessings irrespective of individual relationships with God. ". . . your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).

There is also special providence, under which faithful children of God are the direct recipients of physical or spiritual blessings.

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt" (Gen. 45:4-8).

In the strictest sense, God's providence does not employ miracles today. During miraculous times God sometimes used miracles to aid his providence. Miracles, though, have ended, as every mature, faithful child of God will attest (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:11-14). Yet, God does use divine power (i.e., power that you and I do not have) to affect natural law to execute his providence.

What, then, is the difference between miracles which have ceased and divine power which God uses to make providence work? Miracles, among other things, were always visible demonstrations of supernatural power. Divine power that God uses in his providence is not discernible to human beings (i.e., though the result of God's providence may be visible, how God causes it to occur cannot be known). Therefore, God's providence appears mysterious to us. God simply does not tell us some things about his providence (and other matters, Deuteronomy 29:29). "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).

The purpose of God's providence is the ultimate redemption of humanity. Therefore, suffering (e.g., Joseph, Job; Acts 8:1-4) or even death (e.g., "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the kingdom"; the death of Christ; Revelation 2:10) rather than earthly happiness may better serve the purpose of the providence of God.

How does God's providence affect humanity? (1) The created world is sustained by divine, providential power--the same power by which it was created (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1-3). (2) Prayers are effective through providence. "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:17-18). (3) Christians are to be worry-free because of providence (Matthew 6:24-34). (4) God, through his providence, appoints rulers (e.g., Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:17-34), raises up or pulls down nations (e.g., Jeremiah 18:7-10), arranges circumstantial events of people and Christians (i.e., brings parties together who will predictably or through foreknowledge react a certain way, e.g., Pharaoh's hardened heart). God, though, does not interfere with free moral agency.

How does humanity affect the providence of God? (1) God works through people who voluntarily conform to the purpose or will of God (e.g., taking the Gospel to the world, Mark 16:15-16). (2) God will use other persons to achieve his will if one through his own free moral agency does not do the will of God (e.g., Esther 4:15).

Providence as it pertains to Christians is circumstantial. Only faithful children of God directly benefit from the goal of God's providence (Romans 8:28); the Egyptians became the indirect beneficiaries of the unfolding of God's providence to save Joseph's family. Otherwise, though the ungodly may appear to prosper in this life, they will not persevere in eternity (e.g., Luke 16:19-31; however, not all rich people in this life are evil--Job, Abraham).

God uses imperfect humanity to further his providence. He uses imperfect people who are generally righteous (e.g., Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Peter, you and me). Additionally, God uses people to accomplish his providential goals who may be generally unrighteous (e.g., rulers, nations, etc.).

A key element of providence is that through it God provides. The truth-seeker will find the truth (John 7:17). Providence provides for the fulfillment of God's ultimate goal for humanity (Philippians 1:12). "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel."

God, through providence, is attentive to the needs of his people. God does not slumber (Psalm 121:3). God sees and knows.

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:28-31).

God hears the prayers of his faithful children; "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Peter 3:12). God will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6). God is our defender; "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31).

The first verse about God's providence to which we usually turn is Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." The "good" here corresponds to God's ultimate purpose for humanity. Summarized, the phrase "all things work" equals the law of operation; "all things work together" equals the law of cooperation. The phrase "all things work together for good" signifies the law of compensation; "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord" is the law of limitation.

The Bible clearly teaches the certainty of God's providence. However, there is some uncertainty exactly how it works. We can assuredly say, though, that God's providence works through elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, parents, Christians and the local church (1 Corinthians 3:5-10).

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

Finally, we can have confidence that the minimal benefit of providence is the ability to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Through providence, nothing and no one can separate us from God unless we allow it (Romans 8:35-39).

Louis Rushmore
Copyright 1999

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

 

THE QUESTION OF GRACE??? BY STEVE FINNELL

 https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/

 

 THE QUESTION OF GRACE???  BY STEVE FINNELL

What is grace?

What is the grace of God?

What is the benefit of God's grace?

Grace is an unmerited favor?

The manifestation of God's grace is God's free gift of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

The unmerited favor is salvation. Grace is not the favor.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith;and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (NASB)

Salvation is the gift of God. Grace is not the gift.

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Men are justified because of God's grace, however, it only comes through Jesus Christ.

The benefits of God's grace is only accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. God does impute grace to a selected few. God does not impute faith to a preselected, chosen few, so that they may be saved.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.(KVV)

Men access God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace if not the gift men receive from God. Men receive the GIFT OF SALVATION by faith in Jesus.

Acts 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.(NASB)

Men are justified by faith. Men are not justified by grace alone. Without faith men do not receive the free gift of grace, which is salvation through Jesus Christ.

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

God's grace is available to all men.

HOW DO MEN ACCESS GOD'S GRACE?

1. FAITH: John 3:16, Mark 16:16

2. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19

3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10

4. WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21

THE GIFT OF GRACE IS NOT GRACE ITSELF. THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE IS SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST! 

45 Years of Shame by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

 https://thepreachersword.com/2018/01/22/45-years-of-shame/#more-11818

 

45 Years of Shame

It was on this day, January 22, 1973, that the United States Supreme Court handed down its infamous decision in Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion. The vote was 7-2. As a result, the state laws against abortion violated the Constitution and were struck down.

Since then almost 60 million babies have been slaughtered upon the altar of “a woman’s right to choose.” Fortunately, women’s pregnancy centers promoting a pro-life agenda, the advance of scientific understanding and use of sonograms has decreased the number of abortions in 2017 to its lowest number since Roe v Wade. Yet, there were still nearly 1 million babies denied the right to life last year.

It is ironic that in the “land of the free and the home of the brave” that guarantees three “unalienable rights”–“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”–almost 60 million have been denied that sacred right. It is a disgraceful blight on our land. And a shameful record that has and will continue to reap serious spiritual and moral consequences.

I don’t claim to be a political pundit, but I doubt that Roe v Wade will ever be repealed. When you consider the number of conservative organizations, the evangelical influence, and the enormous amounts of money poured into pro-life causes, very little has changed in the past 45 years. Even with conservative, Pro-life President and politicians being elected to Congress the law has not been repealed.

While we are not against individual efforts of Christians to enact change through the political process, march with pro-life groups, or petition our elected leaders with our concerns, we believe there is a better way.

You and I can be the moral “salt of the earth” and the spiritual “light of the word” (Matt 5:13-16). We can use the opportunities we have to do good works (Gal. 6:10). That may come in the form of supporting local pro-life pregnancy centers that provide women with better options that taking an unborn life.

We can support adoption as an alternative  to abortion. Obviously, not everyone can or should adopt a child, but we can support those who do. There many wonderful groups worthy of our moral and financial support like Sacred Selections. 

We can teach the truth about the sanctity of life in our homes, churches, and communities. We can impact people one person at a time within our circle of influence. And what is the truth?

The Bible uses the expression “with child” 26 times to refer to pregnant women. The term fetus is never used. Luke, the physician, records that Elisabeth, the mother of John the Immerser, conceived a son (1:35). In verse 41 the doctor wrote, “the baby leaped in her womb.” The baby! Not the fetus! It is the same Greek word that Luke uses to describe Jesus after he was born (2:12, 16). God views the unborn baby and the newborn baby in the same way. Both are living human beings.

In the midst of his suffering Job cries out, “Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child. Like infants who never saw light?” (3:16). The unborn child is called an infant!

In describing the greatness of Jehovah’s power and majesty, the Psalmist, David, describes himself as a person, unborn in his mother’s womb.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps 139:13-16)

We cannot erase these 45 years of shame, but let us resolve to do what we can to make a moral difference. And let us pray, “Lord, heal our land.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Served By Greatness, Serve To Be Great (10:41-45)

 "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

 Served By Greatness, Serve To Be Great (10:41-45)

 

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous study, we saw where James and John made a request...
   a. For Jesus to do whatever they ask! - Mk 10:35
   b. In particular, the honor of sitting by Him in His glory (kingdom) - Mk 10:36-37; Mt 20:21

2. We saw where Jesus' response was two-fold...
   a. First, about drinking His cup and being baptized with His baptism - Mk 10:38-39
   b. Second, their request was not His to grant, but His Father's - Mk 10:40; Mt 20:23

3. This request in behalf of James and John...
   a. Displeased the other apostles - Mk 10:41
   b. Provided Jesus an opportunity to teach an important lesson - Mk 10:42-45
   c. I.e., to be great in the kingdom one must serve, even as the Son of Man came to serve

[This is a lesson every Christian needs to remember, yet it goes against
what the world would have us believe.  To encourage us in being willing
to serve, perhaps it would help to recall that we have been...]

I. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY GREATNESS

   A. SERVED BY JESUS...
      1. He came to serve, not to be served - Mk 10:45
      2. He served by giving His life a ransom, dying on the cross for our sins
      3. He serves even now, as our High Priest who intercedes for us - He 7:24-25

   B. SERVED BY THE PROPHETS...
      1. The prophets spent their lives in service for our benefit - 1Pe 1:10-12
      2. Thus we have been served by men like Moses, Samuel, David,
         Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and many other "heroes of faith"!

   C. SERVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT...
      1. It was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets - 1Pe 1:11
      2. He also inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel - 1Pe 1:12; Jn 16:13

   D. SERVED BY THE APOSTLES...
      1. They are the ones who preached the gospel to us - 1Pe 1:12
      2. Through them, we have come to believe in Jesus - cf. Jn 17:20
      3. Thus we have been served by men like Peter, James, John, and
         Paul, who suffered greatly in their ministry to us! - cf. 1Co 4:9-13; 2Co 11:24-29

   E. SERVED BY ANGELS...
      1. They had a keen interest in the things being revealed - 1Pe 1:12
      2. For they had a part in the process of revelation - cf. Dan 8, 9; Lk 1:11-19,26-38
      3. Thus they too have ministered to us - cf. He 1:13-14

   F. SERVED BY OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. Someone taught us the gospel, others continue to teach us and our children
      2. Some made it possible for us to assemble, and each week clean up what we leave behind
      3. In times of sickness, many have prayed and rendered various forms of service

[With so many rendering so much service, it is easy to feel pampered.
Indeed, we have been "served by greatness"!  Do we take it for granted?
I hope not.  We can show our appreciation by emulating those who served us...]

II. LET US SERVE TO BE GREAT

   A. SERVE IN EVANGELISM...
      1. Someone led you to Christ, can you not lead another to Him? - cf. Jn 1:35-46
      2. Begin by being hospitable, offering acts of kindness and service
      3. At the very least, invite to services, offer a Bible correspondence course
      4. Hone your skills in personal evangelism, seek to improve your
         ability to share the gospel

   B. SERVE IN EDIFICATION...
      1. Many have contributed to your spiritual growth, can you help others? - cf. Ep 4:16
      2. Begin by being present at every service, greeting every one present
      3. Take a special interest in those who are new, encourage them
      4. Offer to help teach our children, even if it only means to assist another teacher
      5. Volunteer whatever service you can render in the work and worship of the church

   C. SERVE IN BENEVOLENCE...
      1. Has anyone ever showed you kindness?  "Be kind to one another" - cf. Ep 4:32
      2. Visit the sick or elderly in hospitals, and at home
      3. Render service such as cleaning, transportation, errands, etc.
      4. Minister to the poor, hungry, or those otherwise in need

CONCLUSION

1. The important thing is that we be people of service...
   a. People who serve others, not just benefiting from the efforts of others
   b. People who are producers, not just consumers

2. Serving is not just the path to greatness in the kingdom, but also to true happiness:

   "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have
   done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not
   greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he
   who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." - Jn 13:15-17

   "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you
   must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
   that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" - Ac 20:35

Shall we not follow both the example and teaching of Jesus, and live to
serve others...?         

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Is it a Miracle? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=555

Is it a Miracle?

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

A person cannot read many pages from the New Testament (or the Old Testament for that matter) without coming across a miracle. Miracles spatter the pages of the Bible like polka dots on a Dalmatian: the 10 plagues in Egypt; healing of people with leprosy; the resurrection of dead people; the virgin birth; etc. Yet many educated people deny the idea that miracles were either real or possible. They maintain instead that the wonders documented in the Bible must have been fictitious, or had a purely natural explanation. Did Jesus and others in the Bible perform mighty miracles, or are the stories merely “wishful thinking” on the part of superstitious, unscientific fanatics?

WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

In order to decide if miracles actually occurred, we first must understand the definition of a miracle. A miracle is an event that defies natural laws and that can be accounted for only by a supernatural explanation. For example, walking on a road is not a miracle. But defying the law of gravity and walking on water is. There is nothing extraordinary about reviving a person by using CPR. But there is something miraculous about raising a person who has been dead for several days.

SOME JUST SAY “NO” TO MIRACLES

Some people adamantly claim that any type of miracle is absolutely impossible. Why do they say “no” to miracles? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most important is that they do not believe that God exists (or that if He does, He does not intervene in the natural world). A person who believes that the Universe and its contents evolved through natural processes over billions of years cannot believe in miracles because he or she thinks that nothing exists outside of nature. As the late, eminent astronomer of Cornell University, Carl Sagan, put it: “The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be” (1980, p. 4). Since a miracle is an event that has a supernatural explanation, no such event ever could occur in a world where only natural forces operate. Once a person denies the greatest miracle of all—creation at the hand of God—then he or she is forced to deny that miracles of any kind can occur.

Those who hold to such a view are correct about one thing: If God does not exist (or if He does but is unwilling to intervene in His creation) then miracles cannot occur. On the other hand, if God does exist (and it can be argued convincingly that He does!), then miracles not only are possible, but also probable. It makes perfectly good sense to conclude that if God created this Universe, then on occasion He might intervene through miracles to accomplish His divine purposes.

GOD WOULDN’T BREAK THE LAW, WOULD HE?

Another idea suggests that God did, in fact, create the Universe, but that His activities stopped at creation. Afterwards, He no longer intervened in this world through miracles, because that would break the natural laws that He had established at the time of creation.

The problem with this idea is that it does not consider the fact that the natural laws do not apply to God (since He is not a “natural” Being). The laws of nature are inviolate, and cannot be broken. For instance, the First Law of Thermodynamics states that matter or energy can be neither created nor destroyed in nature. The two words “in nature” must be included for the law to be worded correctly. Nothing in nature—man, beasts, or matter—can break this law. However, since God is not part of nature, the law obviously does not apply to Him.

To illustrate, think of the Universe as one room. God established natural laws that apply to everything in that room, and then He locked the door. It is impossible for matter or energy to be created or destroyed in that room. But, suppose that God unlocks the door and puts another chair in the room or takes a chair out of the room. Did God break the law He established in the room? No, because everything in the room (Universe) still functions according to the natural laws, but since God is outside of the room then the laws that operate inside the room do not apply to Him.

Miracles are only impossible in a world with no God, or a non-intervening Deity. Once God’s existence and His ability to operate in the natural world are established, it makes perfect sense to conclude that He occasionally might do supernatural things to accomplish His goals. God is not a cosmic bandit Who sneaks around “breaking the rules” of nature. Rather, He is the sovereign Creator Who reserves the right to operate whenever and however He sees fit.

REFERENCE

Sagan, Carl (1980), Cosmos (New York: Random House).

Is Richard Dawkins Really an Atheist? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2456

Is Richard Dawkins Really an Atheist?

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Anyone familiar with Richard Dawkins cannot help but be struck by his “convictions” about atheism and evolution. Of course, when using the term “convictions,” one has to be careful not to attribute something to Dawkins that he does not really have. Since Dawkins is an atheist, and does not believe in any absolute moral standards, his “convictions” are ever shifting and liable to change with a whim. Furthermore, he seems not to feel too “convicted” about any idea that might cause the one holding the idea to be put into peril.

For example, in his recent book The God Delusion, Dawkins documented a case of religious intolerance from the past in which Catholics persecuted Protestants for their beliefs. In fact, he mentioned three Protestants who were martyred because they would not convert to Catholicism. He wrote: “But how could the martyrs Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer let themselves be burned rather than forsake their Protestant Little-endianism in favour of Catholic Big-endianism—does it really matter all that much from which end you open a boiled egg? Such is the stubborn—or admirable, if that is your view—conviction of the religious mind” (2006, p. 314). Then, when discussing another family who refused to be baptized in the Catholic Church in order to be reunited with their son who was kidnapped by the Church, Dawkins wrote: “Couldn’t they cross their fingers, or whisper ‘not’ under their breath while being baptized?” (p. 314).

Dawkins believes that religious people who have true convictions about their religion should simply be able to “fudge” when those convictions might cost them something. One wonders, then, if someone were to make atheism a crime punishable by death, point a gun at Dawkins’ head, and ask him if he believed in a God, what he would say. From the comments in his book, he would certainly say, “Yes.” Although later, after the duress had passed, he would probably explain that he did not really “mean” it or that he simply claimed to believe in God in order to live.

In light of Dawkins’ view of adjustable convictions, one is forced to ask why he claims to be an atheist. Could it be the case that a claim of atheism just happens to be the more profitable “belief” for Dawkins at the present? It allows him to sell books, be interviewed on international television programs, and be the recipient of massive amounts of media attention. Could it be that secretly, Dawkins believes in God but the crossed-fingers and the whispered “nots” are never seen or heard by the population Dawkins is attempting to deceive? In all probability, this is not the case. But considering his views on how readily “convictions” should be jettisoned in favor of self-preservation, it certainly is a possibility. The next time Dawkins boldly proclaims his atheism, take a close look at his fingers and watch for minute lip movement devoid of audible sounds. And remember that Dawkins is not a man of true “convictions.” Why should he be, if there is no God, all things are permissible, especially self-preserving/self-promoting “conviction” adjustments.

REFERENCE

Dawkins, Richard (2006), The God Delusion (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin).

It Takes Intelligence to Design a Human—oid by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2681

It Takes Intelligence to Design a Human—oid

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

On Monday, March 16 the world was introduced to HRP-4C, a female, humanoid robot designed and created by developers at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Ama, 2009). This 95-pound technological wonder wowed onlookers with her animated facial expressions, lifelike walk, and human-like responses. Designers created her to be a fashion model. They hope that future models will be able to help “with daily chores or work side by side with people.” But Hirohisa Hirukawa, one researcher who worked on the robot, said concerning this dream: “Technologically, it hasn’t reached that level” (Ama, 2009). For all the money, man-hours, and technology applied to the field of robotics, robots simply cannot perform standard tasks that an average human does with little thought or exertion.

Models of the HRP-4C robot will soon be on sale for about $200,000. Japanese robotics developers, who are some of the leaders in the field, believe that the market for humanoid robots will soon be in the billions of dollars. They want to be the front-runners in this technological expansion.

As exciting as HRP-4C’s debut was, however, it was not problem-free. As Ama noted:

The demonstration didn’t all go smoothly. The robot often looked surprised, opening its mouth and eyes in a stunned expression, when the demonstrator asked it to smile or look angry. Its walk was also not quite ready for the Paris Collection, partly because its knees are permanently bent. It has sensors in its feet but it lacks the sensitive balance of a real human (2009).

If we wanted to list a few other things that limit the robot’s capabilities, we could mention that it does not have light-weight, super-strong bones that heal in a matter of weeks if they are broken, it cannot turn a banana into usable energy to keep itself going, it cannot do simple jumping jacks, does not have self-cleaning eyeballs, etc. To put it mildly, the robot’s abilities are dismal when compared to a living human.

Shuuji Kajita, the leading developer of the group, optimistically noted that HRP-4C “is just the first step” (Ama, 2009). He means this is the first step toward making a robot that can come closer to human functionality. But future steps in that direction will cost billions, consume massive amounts of research time, and require input from thousands of brilliant men and women across the globe. These things do not just happen by accident, which, of course, is the point. Robots don’t happen by accident; they require intelligent designers to bring them into existence.

Only the most obstinate mind can miss the clear implication. Robots are inferior to humans and they require intelligent, personal beings for their construction. Human beings are superior to robots in functionality and complexity; therefore they must also require an intelligent, personal being for their design. As the psalmist so aptly put it some 3,000 years ago: “I will praise You [God], for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well” (139:14).

REFERENCE

Ama, Yuri Kagey (2009), “Walking, Talking Female Robot to Hit Japan Catwalk,” [On-line], URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090316/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_girl_robot.

A question of definition or something else entirely by Gary Rose

Sloths, now there is an animal I don’t think about very often. Slow, innocuous creatures, they hang out in trees and eat the foliage and move s-l-o-w-l-y! Having said this, being in the middle of a highway ( anywhere, at any time ) is a dangerous place. This act of mercy by a passing motorist is laudable and reminds me of a passage from the book of Luke.

Luke 10 ( World English Bible )

²⁵ Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

²⁷ He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

²⁸ He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

²⁹ But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

³¹ By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³² In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

³⁴ came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

³⁵ On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’

³⁶ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”

³⁷ He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Everyone wants to get to heaven, but not everyone is willing to do what is necessary to enter those pearly gates. So it was with a certain lawyer who questioned Jesus. The lawyer knew what to do, but because of his preconceived ideas and his hatred of Samaritans he did show the love of God, exhibited in the quality of mercy. Jesus puts him straight with a parable and challenged him to do as the Samaritan of the parable did; show mercy, which is really an act of love.

The picture shows how a motorist cared for a helpless animal. No one forced him to do this, he did it because he cared. We should emulate this caring attitude, not just to lovable animals, but to everyone; even someone we do not like ( or perhaps even hate?). God did this for us- remember Jesus?

Small thought here: Lord, help us to love as you love and be what you would have us to be, AMEN!

Bible Reading for March 17 and 18 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading for March 17 and 18

World  English  Bible

 

 

Mar. 17

Exodus 28, 29

Exo 28:1 "Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Exo 28:2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.

Exo 28:3 You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:5 They shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.

Exo 28:6 "They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.

Exo 28:7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.

Exo 28:8 The skillfully woven band, which is on it, that is on him, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

Exo 28:9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Exo 28:10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth.

Exo 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel: you shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold.

Exo 28:12 You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial.

Exo 28:13 You shall make settings of gold,

Exo 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings.

Exo 28:15 "You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.

Exo 28:16 It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length of it, and a span its breadth.

Exo 28:17 You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row;

Exo 28:18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;

Exo 28:19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

Exo 28:20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.

Exo 28:21 The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes.

Exo 28:22 You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.

Exo 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

Exo 28:24 You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.

Exo 28:25 The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart.

Exo 28:26 You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.

Exo 28:27 You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.

Exo 28:28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod.

Exo 28:29 Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Yahweh continually.

Exo 28:30 You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before Yahweh: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before Yahweh continually.

Exo 28:31 "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

Exo 28:32 It shall have a hole for the head in its midst: it shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn.

Exo 28:33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them:

Exo 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.

Exo 28:35 It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die.

Exo 28:36 "You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, 'HOLY TO YAHWEH.'

Exo 28:37 You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash; on the front of the sash it shall be.

Exo 28:38 It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh.

Exo 28:39 You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.

Exo 28:40 "You shall make coats for Aaron's sons, and you shall make sashes for them and you shall make headbands for them, for glory and for beauty.

Exo 28:41 You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach:

Exo 28:43 They shall be on Aaron, and on his sons, when they go in to the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place; that they don't bear iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.

Exo 29:1 "This is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in the priest's office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish,

Exo 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour.

Exo 29:3 You shall put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams.

Exo 29:4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.

Exo 29:5 You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and dress him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod;

Exo 29:6 and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.

Exo 29:7 Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him.

Exo 29:8 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them.

Exo 29:9 You shall dress them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them: and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute: and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Exo 29:10 "You shall bring the bull before the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull.

Exo 29:11 You shall kill the bull before Yahweh, at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Exo 29:12 You shall take of the blood of the bull, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and you shall pour out all the blood at the base of the altar.

Exo 29:13 You shall take all the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.

Exo 29:14 But the flesh of the bull, and its skin, and its dung, you shall burn with fire outside of the camp: it is a sin offering.

Exo 29:15 "You shall also take the one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram.

Exo 29:16 You shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood, and sprinkle it around on the altar.

Exo 29:17 You shall cut the ram into its pieces, and wash its innards, and its legs, and put them with its pieces, and with its head.

Exo 29:18 You shall burn the whole ram on the altar: it is a burnt offering to Yahweh; it is a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Exo 29:19 "You shall take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram.

Exo 29:20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood around on the altar.

Exo 29:21 You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Exo 29:22 Also you shall take some of the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration),

Exo 29:23 and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Yahweh.

Exo 29:24 You shall put all of this in Aaron's hands, and in his sons' hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.

Exo 29:25 You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma before Yahweh: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Exo 29:26 "You shall take the breast of Aaron's ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh: and it shall be your portion.

Exo 29:27 You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:

Exo 29:28 and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering: and it shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Yahweh.

Exo 29:29 "The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to be consecrated in them.

Exo 29:30 Seven days shall the son who is priest in his place put them on, when he comes into the Tent of Meeting to minister in the holy place.

Exo 29:31 "You shall take the ram of consecration, and boil its flesh in a holy place.

Exo 29:32 Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Exo 29:33 They shall eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat of it, because they are holy.

Exo 29:34 If anything of the flesh of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

Exo 29:35 "You shall do so to Aaron, and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. You shall consecrate them seven days.

Exo 29:36 Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it; and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it.

Exo 29:37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it: and the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall be holy.

Exo 29:38 "Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.

Exo 29:39 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening:

Exo 29:40 and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering.

Exo 29:41 The other lamb you shall offer at evening, and shall do to it according to the meal offering of the morning, and according to its drink offering, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Exo 29:42 It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you.

Exo 29:43 There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory.

Exo 29:44 I will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar: Aaron also and his sons I will sanctify, to minister to me in the priest's office.

Exo 29:45 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Exo 29:46 They shall know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Yahweh their God. 

 

Mar. 18

Exodus 30, 31

Exo 30:1 "You shall make an altar to burn incense on. You shall make it of acacia wood.

Exo 30:2 Its length shall be a cubit, and its breadth a cubit. It shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.

Exo 30:3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding around it.

Exo 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for poles with which to bear it.

Exo 30:5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exo 30:6 You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Exo 30:7 Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.

Exo 30:8 When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.

Exo 30:9 You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal offering; and you shall pour no drink offering on it.

Exo 30:10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh."

Exo 30:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 30:12 "When you take a census of the children of Israel, according to those who are numbered among them, then each man shall give a ransom for his soul to Yahweh, when you number them; that there be no plague among them when you number them.

Exo 30:13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty gerahs;) half a shekel for an offering to Yahweh.

Exo 30:14 Everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering to Yahweh.

Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.

Exo 30:16 You shall take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the Tent of Meeting; that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls."

Exo 30:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 30:18 "You shall also make a basin of brass, and its base of brass, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

Exo 30:19 Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in it.

Exo 30:20 When they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they not die; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Exo 30:21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they not die: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his descendants throughout their generations."

Exo 30:22 Moreover Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 30:23 "Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;

Exo 30:24 and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary; and a hin of olive oil.

Exo 30:25 You shall make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointing oil.

Exo 30:26 You shall use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony,

Exo 30:27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense,

Exo 30:28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its base.

Exo 30:29 You shall sanctify them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.

Exo 30:30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.

Exo 30:31 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations.

Exo 30:32 It shall not be poured on man's flesh, neither shall you make any like it, according to its composition: it is holy. It shall be holy to you.

Exo 30:33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.' "

Exo 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight;

Exo 30:35 and you shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy:

Exo 30:36 and you shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy.

Exo 30:37 The incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh.

Exo 30:38 Whoever shall make any like that, to smell of it, he shall be cut off from his people."

Exo 31:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 31:2 "Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

Exo 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Exo 31:4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Exo 31:5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Exo 31:6 I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Exo 31:7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,

Exo 31:8 the table and its vessels, the pure lampstand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,

Exo 31:9 the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base,

Exo 31:10 the finely worked garments--the holy garments for Aaron the priest--the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office,

Exo 31:11 the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do."

Exo 31:12 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 31:13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, 'Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.

Exo 31:14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exo 31:15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

Exo 31:16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.' "

Exo 31:18 He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God's finger. 

 

Mar. 17, 18

Mark 11

Mar 11:1 When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

Mar 11:2 and said to them, "Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him.

Mar 11:3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord needs him;' and immediately he will send him back here."

Mar 11:4 They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him.

Mar 11:5 Some of those who stood there asked them, "What are you doing, untying the young donkey?"

Mar 11:6 They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go.

Mar 11:7 They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it.

Mar 11:8 Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road.

Mar 11:9 Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Mar 11:10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mar 11:11 Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mar 11:12 The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry.

Mar 11:13 Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

Mar 11:14 Jesus told it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" and his disciples heard it.

Mar 11:15 They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold the doves.

Mar 11:16 He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the temple.

Mar 11:17 He taught, saying to them, "Isn't it written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers!"

Mar 11:18 The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

Mar 11:19 When evening came, he went out of the city.

Mar 11:20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

Mar 11:21 Peter, remembering, said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away."

Mar 11:22 Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

Mar 11:23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.

Mar 11:24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.

Mar 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

Mar 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions."

Mar 11:27 They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him,

Mar 11:28 and they began saying to him, "By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?"

Mar 11:29 Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mar 11:30 The baptism of John-was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me."

Mar 11:31 They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we should say, 'From heaven;' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

Mar 11:32 If we should say, 'From men' "-they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

Mar 11:33 They answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."