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

I have shut down the comment section due to the fact that perverts find it hilarious to put comments on my comments. I do not appreciate nor approve of this practice. Please understand. You must come to my new site to comment. This way, I can delete the perverts right away without any extra work. Thank you.

Please use the link I have provided, because I only come back here to delete commercials.

For you who leave commercials, please don't. They will be deleted.

I am at Loving God Holy. I hope to see you there. Thank you, and have a blessed day.

I have moved

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

I am no longer at this site. I have moved successfully over to Loving God Holy. Please visit me there. Thank you, and God be with you.

Justic Carr says Ten Commandments can stay

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

It has always been somewhat disturbing to me that the only way we can have the 10 Commandments is if they mean nothing. Why bother? Well, anyway...

Last June, the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the US) declared that the motives for having the 10 Commandments would determine whether or not they could remain.

The Supreme Court in June allowed a 6-foot granite monument to remain at the Texas Capitol. Justices said Ten Commandments exhibits would be upheld if their main purpose was to honor the nation's legal, rather than religious, traditions, and if they didn't promote one religious sect over another.

(I am so glad Sandra O'Connor is gone.) This is a very confusing message.

In Toledo, Ohio, there was a federal case to bring down a 50 year old monument of the Ten Commandments given by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles as part of an effort to combat juvenile delinquency.

U.S. District Judge James Carr said Tuesday [April 18, 2006] that the monument can stay because the motives for placing it outside the Lucas County courthouse were secular and not an endorsement of a specific belief.

Motives??? Are you going to tell me that our constitution is not valid because at the time of its signing, many had the abolishion of slavery as a motive? What do you mean motives? Are we not allowed in this free society? Why bother having any commandments if they mean nothing at all?

Please forgive my outburst. I was going to write another victory article for the Church but as you can see, this is no victory at all. Not if you have to EXCLUDE God. No, I want no part of that freedom.

I will be moving

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

Good morning. I have decided to move, but I am keeping the name, 'Loving God Holy.' I am going to keep this site open so the people who would like to visit me may do so.

My name is Rosemary. I have been trying to do this anonymously, but I felt as if I was not being sincere somehow. I have nothing to hide. I just wanted you to concentrate more on God than on me.

I am moving because I got into a little bit of a problem. Ya see, I have a homepage but in order to get to it, I have to login at a different place. It caused many difficulties, because I have several sites, and I manage a few. This is why I decided to write the Bible in the first place! lol.

I am sincerely grateful for all the comments, helpful hints, and encouragement I have received from everyone. May God bless you all, and I look forward to see you over at the other site.

He is Risen! Hallelujah!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16 I have not really done this before, so please bear with me. If you are of a different religion, please do not insult mine by leaving a rude comment.

Tomorrow is Easter. The Holiest day of my year. My Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the grips of death.

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55

Jesus has conquered even death. My Lord and my Saviour lives even til this day, and you may know Him as well.

I understand some people do not want to believe. They are weak minded and scared. That is quite alright. I understand this dilemna. Curiousity v. desire. Curiousity killed the cat, as the saying goes, and desire killed the man. Hmm.

Cats are beautiful creatures, but they lack the ability to reason. Humans are a whole different ball of wax! I was refering to Samson. When Delilah found his weakness as Samson had revealed it, she used it against him to enslave him. His desire for her got in the way of his curiousity.

Enough of that. I just want to say that Jesus loves you. No matter what you've done, where you've been, how many times you stumble and fall, He is with you. No matter whether you can feel Him or not. He is with you. No matter if you believe in Him or not, He is with you.

May God bless you this Easter Day, and may your relationship became born anew. May your life be filled with His Peace, His Love, His Mercy, and His Justice. Happy Easter.

Hat tip for the picture: e-mail from Mike at One Year Bible Blog. Also, there are very good reads over at Bible.org. Bob has written this one for today entitled, "The Significance of the Resurrection. J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M has written, "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ." If you go to the homepage, you will find many more. Happy Easter!

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

Mr. Paul M. Kingery, PhD, MPH is my 1000th visitor. I would like to say, "Thank you." I would also like to say, "Thank you" to all my friends and new friends who have taken the time to stop by. I appeciate all of you. I have a special heart for PebblePie. I pray you are well. I pray you are all well. :)

I Beg Your Pardon

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

I am terribly upset with myself that I have not been keeping up here. I have been oh so busy! Please forgive me. I shall return soon.

We will finish Genesis' last two chapters, and we will start the new testament. Does that sound like a good plan to you? It is almost Easter…I wonder…He works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose!

I am in no one laying claim that 'God' made me do it! (Take the time off.) God bless everyone of you, and I shall be back soon.

Hello 4/2/2006

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

Good day. How are you? If you haven't noticed, I've been too preoccupied with the news. It seems no one in our press department is, so I have been tracking down articles.

I have many other sites, but that is a different story. I am writing to let you know that I will be writing Loving God Holy at WordPress. It was too time consuming writing the same thing twice. lol. If you have any difficulty leaving comments, please let me know by e-mailling me.

I pray all is well with you. Please continue to visit. If you really decide you like this site better, I will switch back. Hey, what's a little inconvience? :)

God bless us all.

Gen. 48:1-22 "Manasseh and Ephraim"

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

Today's lesson is Genesis 48. I did not realize the depths of this chapter until I read the lesson in Bible.org named The View From the Graveyard. It is good for us to consider our lives from the end of them, looking back. We will see what is actually of concern, rather than the things we hold on to as of value. Have a blessed day.

Manasseh and Ephraim

Some time later Joseph was told, "Your father is ill." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. 2When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied strength and sat up on the bed.

3Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me 4and said to me, 'I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a commmunity of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.'

5"Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. 6Any children born to you after them will be yours; in the territory they inherit they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers. 7As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem).

8When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, "Who are these?"

9"They are the sons God has given me here," Joseph said to his father.

10Now Israel's eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

11Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too."

12Then Joseph removed them from Israel's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. 13And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. 14But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.

15Then he blessed Joseph and said,

"May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who had been my shepherd
all my life to this day,
16the Angel who has delivered me from
all harm
--may he bless these boys.
May they be called by my name
and the names of my fathers
Abraham and Isaac,
and may they increase greatly
upon the earth."

17When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

19But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his yournger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations."20He blessed them that day and said,

"In your name will Israel pronounce
this blessing:
'May God make you like Ephraim
and Manasseh.' "

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

21Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. 22And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the rigde of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."

Gen. 47:13-31 "Joseph and the Famine"

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

Today's lesson is titled, "A Proper Perspective of Poverty and Prosperity." Have a blessed day.

13There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. 14Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh's palace. 15When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up."

16"Then bring your livestock, said Joseph. "I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone." 17So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock.

18When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, "We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. 19Why should we perish before your eyes--we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."

20So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh's, 21and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. 22However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.

23Joseph said to the people, "Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. 24But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children."

25"You have saved our lives," they said. "May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh."

26So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt--still in force today--that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh's.

27Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

28Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. 29When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried."

"I will do as you say," he said.

31"Swear to me," he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Gen. 46:1--47:12 Jacob Goes to Egypt

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

Today we will be reading about Jacob's journey to Egypt. Bible.org's lesson for today is Matthew 46 Life Begins at 130, (Genesis 46:1-47:12). Have a blessed day.

Jacob Goes to Egypt

So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

2And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!"

"Here I am," he replied.

3"I am God, the God of your father," He said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

5Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel's sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. 6They also took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt. 7He took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters--all his offspring.

8These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.

9The sons of Reuben:

Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.

10The sons of Simeon:

Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar
and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.

11The sons of Levi:

Gershon, Kohath and Merari

12The sons of Judah:

Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah
(but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan).

The sons of Perez:

Hezron and Hamul.

13The sons of Issachar:

Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.

14The sons of Zebulun:

Sered, Elon and Jahleel.

15These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all.

16The sons of Gad:

Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon,
Eri, Arodi and Areli.

17The sons of Asher:

Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah.
Their sister was Serah.

The sons of Beriah:

Heber and Malkiel.

18These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah--sixteen in all.

19The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel:

Joseph and Benjamin. 20In Egypt, Manasseh
and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath
daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

21The sons of Benjamin:

Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman,
Ehl, Rosh, Muppim, and Ard.

22These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob--fourteen in all.

23The sons of Dan:

Hushim.

24The sons of Naphtali:

Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.

25These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel--seven in all.

26All those who went to Egypt with Jacob--those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons wives--numbered sixty-six persons. 27With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

28Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

30Israel said to Joseph, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive."

31Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. 32The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.' 33When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation?' 34you should answer, 'Your sevants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians."

47...1Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen." 2He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.

3Pharaoh asked the brothers, "What is your occupation?"

"Your sevants are shephards," they replied to Pharaoh, "just as our fathers were." 4They also said to him, "We have come to live here awhile, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen."

5Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you, 6and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock."

7Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, 8Pharaoh asked him, "How old are you?"

9And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers. 10Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

11So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. 12Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children.

Gen. 45:1-28 "Joseph Makes Himself Known"

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

Today we will are finally going to witness the reunion of Joseph and his family. Get a tissue. The title of this study is The Fundamentals of Forgiveness, (Genesis 45:1-28). Have a wonderfully blessed day.

Joseph Makes Himself Known

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

3Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

4Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. 10You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11I will povide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'

12"You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

14Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

16When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.'

19"You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.' "

21So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24Then he sent his brothers away and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"

25So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

To my amazement, I did not cry. Maybe that is because I knew what would happen, maybe it is because I cried in an earlier chapter. Either way, everything is wonderful.

Is it not amazing that Joseph was asking them not be angry with themselves? He had forgiven them. Imagine if we could find that kind of forgiveness within ourselves?! I know, he had enough time to get over any anger, but still...

Did you catch the part at the end where he tells them not to quarrel? He may have forgiven, but he certainly did not forget. lol.

Nigerian Muslims Take Note, or else...

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

Reaction of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, The Most Revd Peter Akinola on recent events in Nigeria

Having watched with sadness and dismay the recent development in some States in the Northern part of this Country where many Christian Churches and other property have been wantonly destroyed by some Islamic fundamentalists, the Christian Association of Nigeria is compelled to issue the following statements:

a. From all indications, it is very clear now that the sacrifices of the Christians in this country for peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths has been sadly misunderstood to be weakness.

b. We have for a long time now watched helplessly the killing, maiming and destruction of Christians and their property by Muslim fanatics and fundamentalists at the slightest or no provocation at all. We are not unaware of the fact that these religious extremists have the full backup and support of some influential Muslims who are yet to appreciate the value of peaceful co-existence.

c. That an incident in far away Denmark which does not claim to be representing Christianity could elicit such an unfortunate reaction here in Nigeria, leading to the destruction of Christian Churches, is not only embarrassing, but also disturbing and unfortunate.

d. It is no longer a hidden fact that a long standing agenda to make this Nigeria an Islamic nation is being surreptitiously pursued. The willingness of Muslim Youth to descend with violence on the innocent Christians from time to time is from all intents and purposes a design to actualize their dream.

2. a. It is sad to note that all acts of hostility meted against Christians by Muslims in the past have remained unaddressed with nobody paying compensations or the culprits brought to justice.

b. We do appreciate the fact that at this stage of our national development, peace is absolutely necessary for realizing our dreams and aspirations. It is in view of this that Christians in Nigeria agreed to participate in the forthcoming National Census as sacrifice for the peace and progress of this nation, in spite of our protest over the non-inclusion of Religion and Ethnicity as necessary demographic data.

c. May we at this stage remind our Muslim brothers that they do not have the monopoly of violence in this nation. Nigeria belongs to all of us – Christians, Muslims and members of other faiths. No amount of intimidation can Change this time-honoured arrangement in this nation. C.A.N. may no longer be able to contain our restive youths should this ugly trend continue.

3. a. We now demand that further destruction of Christian Churches and property in this nation be permanently put to an end.

b. All levels of Government in this country should take adequate steps to protect the lives and property of Christians everywhere in this land as no further destructions will be tolerated or ignored.

c. The Federal Government and those States where Christian Churches have been destroyed are hereby urged to take urgent steps at rebuilding those structures and paying adequate compensation while assuring Christians of adequate protection in this country. These governments should now show in practical terms that Nigeria belongs to all of us by going beyond mere promises of rebuilding destroyed Churches and property as in the past to actual reconstruction, which will help the victims to quickly put this unfortunate incident behind them. A stitch in time saves nine.

Signed

Most Revd. Peter J. Akinola (CON, DD.)
President, Christian Association of Nigeria

I have taken the liberty to copy this because I want you to be able to understand what is happening across the world. The Christians in Nigeria did not sit back and take it this time. After this letter was printed (date), the Christians stood up to the Muslims and the Muslims fled.

My, oh my. How brave we are when they fight back!

Mt. 6:1-4 Giving to the NeedySermon on the Mount

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

We shall now return to the Sermon on the Mount. Bible.org also has a sermon with explainations on Matthew 6: The Practice of Righteousness. We shall look at each section as an individual lesson. Have a blessed day!

Givng to the Needy

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This one troubles me some. These days, most things are done by check or credit card. It is very difficult not to let others know. Besides that, doesn't the government want to know also? Hmm. I must study this one some more.

Mt. 6:5-15 PrayerSermon on the Mount

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

This section of Mt. 6 pertains to prayer. Bible.org has a Bible study called The Fatal Failures of Religion: #3 Externalism, (Matthew 6:1-18) and Jesus on PrayerMatthew, 6:5-15.

The first one is very good. It is an admonision on those of us whom really do not understand the meaning of this chapter, while the second one is instructional. They are both very good. Have a blessed day.

Prayer
6:9-13--Lk 11:2-4

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9This, then, is how you should pray:

*"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
10Thy kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread, and
12forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is Kingdom
and the Power
and the Glory
forever and ever. Amen!]

14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The prayer you see here is NOT the prayer in this Bible. This is the prayer I remember. How arrogant of me, right? Well, I've heard a lot of talk about making the Bible gender-nuetral. Tell me, is that any less arrogant?! I just believe the way I learned it is beautiful. That is all.

Mt. 6:16-18 Fasting Sermon on the Mount

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

This section of Matthew discusses fasting, as you could easily discern from the title. Bible.org has an article named Grrrr. Ohhh!Matthew, 6:16-18. lol. Recommended reading, for sure.

Fasting

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mt. 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven Sermon on the Mount

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

Ah, the Treasures in Heaven! This is such a deep passage. Bible.org has a study for these vv. named "Where Is Your Treasure?" Matthew 6:19-24. Have a blessed day.

Treasures in Heaven
6:22,23--Lk 11:34-36

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

I do not understand this. I have poor eyesight, but that was due to a stroke. I cannot see from my right side out of both of my eyes. Does this mean I am full of darkness? I surely hope not. I need to ask someone who knows. Quickly!

Mt. 6:25-34 Do Not Worry Sermon on the Mount

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

We have come to the end of Matthew 6! I love "Do Not Worry." I hope you will, too. It set me free.

The Bible.org has a great sermon named Your Own Personal "Heart-Guard". I highly recommend it, even if you are not anxious. It may come in handy if you ever become so.

Do Not Worry
6:25-33--Lk 12:22-31

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Gen. 44:1-34 A Silver Cup in a Sack

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

Today's lesson on Genesis is chapter 44. Bible.org has a study named, The Final Test: Dothan Relived, (Genesis 44:1-34). You may also want to check out Mike's One Year Bible Blog. It is good to see how different people read the same thing.

In this way, you may even come up with another! Just as long as it does not stray from the principles of Christianity (Christ was born of the virgin Mary, He lived, He was cruxified for all our sins, He took the sins of the world upon Himself, if we repent of our sins and believe in Him-we are saved, Jesus lives within us using the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is God.) I hope I did not leave or add anything. If so, someone please let me know. Thank you, and have a blessed day.

A Silver Cup in a Sack

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack. 2Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said.

3As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. 4They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil? 5Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.' "

6When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. 7But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! 8We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house? 9If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."

10"Very well, then," he said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame."

11Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. 12Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 13At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

14Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. 15Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?"

16"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants guilt. We are now my lord's slaves--we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup."

17But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace."

18Then Judah went up to him and said: "Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. 19My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?' 20And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'

21"Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.' 22And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.' 23But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.' 24When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.

25"Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.' 26But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

27"Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces" And I have not seen him since. 29If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.'

30"So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life, 31sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. 32Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'

33"Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

This is what I consider phileo (sp?) love. Brotherly love. Judah is ready to become a slave to save his youngest brother.

If you will remember, it was Reuben who went back to the pit to rescue Joseph, but he was already gone. He assumes he was torn to pieces by a wild animal.

Judah, on the other hand, had the idea of selling him instead killing him. It is quite ironic that now he is willing to become a slave to the brother he sold (although he does not know this) to save the lives of his father and the youngest brother.

We can always find our way back. God makes it possible. Never look at hardships as 'No way out.' Maybe they are just ways we can right a wrong, help another, or do God's will. We may actually never know, but God does. :)

Gen. 43:1-34 "The Second Journey to Egypt

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

Today we will study Genesis 43. Bible.org has a wonderful study on this titled, "The Fears of Jacob and the Tears of Joseph," (Genesis 43:1-34). Please read it. Have a blessed day.

The Second Journey to Egypt

Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little more food."

3But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.' 4If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 5But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.' "

6Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"

7They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. 'Is your father still living?' he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?' We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"

8Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. 9I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 10As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice."

11Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift--a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. 14And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

15So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented t hemselves to Joseph. 16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon."

17The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house. 18Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

19So they went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20"Please, sir," they said, "we came down here the first time to buy food. 21But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver--the exact weight--in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don't know who put our silver in our sacks."

23"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

24The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

26When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 27He asked them how they were, and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?"

28They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor.

29As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son." 30Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

31After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

32They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest, and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34When portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Gen. 42:1-38 "Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt"

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

In Gen. 42, I have always had an urge to take those brothers and wring their necks! But alas, that would not do. Have you ever wondered why everyone else seems to get away with everything, but you cannot? Do not despair. The LORD is aware.

The Proper Use of Power, (Genesis 42:1-38) is also today's study reference. It is a good read. Have a blessed day.

Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you just keep looking at each other?" 2He continued, "I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."

3Then ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he asked.

"From the land of Canaan," they replied, "to buy food."

8Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected."

10"No, my lord," they answered. "Your servants have come to buy food. 11We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies."

12"No!" he said to them. "You have come to see where our land is unprotected."

13But they replied, "Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more."

14Joseph said to them, "It is just as I told: You are spies! 15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies! 17And he put them all in custody for three days.

18On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die." This they proceeded to do.

21They said one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."

22Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood." 23They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

24He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

25Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, 26they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

27At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. 28"My silver has been returned," he said to his brothers. "Here it is in my sack."

Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, "What is this that God has done to us?"

29When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, 30"The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land. 31But we said to his, 'We are honest men, we are not spies. 32We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.'

33"Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 34But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and can trade in the land.' "

35As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"

37Then Reuben said to his father, "You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back."

38But Jacob said, "My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow."

Wow. It has been a long time since I read this particular passage, but wow. The emotion, the suspense (if you do not the ending--even if you do!), and the feeling of wanting to just hold them all and tell them it will be alright. Wow. Have a great day.

Gen. 41:41-57 "Joseph in Charge of Egypt"

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

Today we will finish Genesis 41. This will also conclude the study of From the Pit to the Palace, (Genesis 41:1-57). Joseph is such a delight to me. He is a humble, intelligent, wise man; and he loves the Lord with all of his heart, strength, mind, and soul. All the things I would want in a husband.

Why don't they make them like that anymore? Oh well. Let me stop. lol. Have a blessed day, and to all of you men out there who fit that description--I know you are already married, so you don't count. lol.

41So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." 42Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

44Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt." 45Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.

46Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. 48Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

50Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." 52The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

53The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you."

56When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the store-houses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57And all the country came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.

Gen. 41:1-40 "Pharaoh's Dreams"

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

Today we will be reading about Pharaoh's Dreams. This is a sermon from Bible.org/. Sorry it took so long to get started. I had to transfer about 10 pages I could not do yesterday. There was something wrong with my other site. Have a blessed day.

Pharaoh's Dreams

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

5He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted--thin and scorched by the east wind. 7The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

8In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

9Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged."

14So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

15Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

16"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

17Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. 19After them, seven other cows came up--scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

22"In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23After them, seven other heads sprouted--withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me."

25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

28"It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and famine will ravage the land. 31The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been fimly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

33"And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may no t be ruined by the famine.

37The plan seemed good Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"

39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ""Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

Mt. 5:1-12 "The Beatitudes"Sermon on the Mount

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

In the next two chapters we will encounter several sections (nine in chapter 5 alone!). I will try to cover all of them today. I would like to put each one in it's own page, because someone may need to see a particular scripture and only remember the title of the passage. It would be easier for them to find.

I would also like to let people know where to find the Sermon on the Mount. This way they can find how much was actually in that sermon!

If the outline is too long for some of you, there is also “Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”Matthew 5:1-13. Thank you for your patience. :)

The Beatitudes
5:3-12--Lk 6:20-23

Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2and He began to teach them, saying:

3"Blessed are the poor in sprit,
for theirs is the kinggdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst,
for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for the will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kngdom of heaven.

11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mt. 5:13-16 "Salt and Light"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is second of nine sections in chapter five. The title of this lesson at Bible.org is "A Pinch of Salt in the Recipe for Persecution," Matthew 5:13-16. If anyone would like the URL for the first section, it is The Sermon on the Mount. I do this so you have more than just me to seek help. lol. Have a blessed day.

Salt and Light

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Mt. 5:17-20 "The Fulfillment of the Law"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is section three of the Sermon on the Mount. This one pertains to The Fulfillment of the Law. Have a blessed day.

The Fulfillment of the Law

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter thekingdom of heaven.

Mt. 5:21-26 "Murder"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is section four in The Sermon on the Mount. We will cover Murder in this section. Everyone ready? Okay, let's go.

Murder
5:25,26--Lk 12:58,59

21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Mt. 5:27-30 "Adultery"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is the fifth section in The Sermon on the Mount. It will be on Adultery. I know none of us have to know about this, because this would never cross our minds, right? Hmm... Read it anyway. Have a blessed day.

Adultry

27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Mt. 5:31-32 "Divorce"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is section six of Sermon on the Mount. The name of this section is Divorce. No matter how good or bad your marriage is at this time, please pay attention to notes provided above.

I have been through this, and it is never what you were hoping it would be when it is over. That is because it is never over...

Divorce

31"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adultress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultry.

Yes. That was the reason. I would rather not discuss it, however. See? I really recommend you read notes on divorce, before you get married!

Mt. 5:32-37 "Oaths"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is the seventh section of The Sermon on the Mount. The title of this section is Oaths. If only the world lived true to their word...Have a blessed day.

Oaths

33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven , for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Mt. 5:38-42 "An Eye for an Eye"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is the eighth section of The Sermon on the Mount. The title of this section is An Eye for an Eye. I need to read this one more often. (lol) Have a blessed day.

An Eye for an Eye

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one wants to borrow from you.

I must be honest. I have a hard time applying this one here and now! I have been through the eye for eye, turning the other cheek, and it did not work. It only escalated the abuse. I'm sorry, but I cannot. Please forgive me, Jesus. I cannot.

Mt. 5:43-48 "Love for Enemies"Sermon on the Mount

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

This is section nine (the last in chapter 5) of The Sermon on the Mount. The title of this one is I Love Him...I Love Him NOT, (Matthew 5:43-48). Oops! That is the title of the sermon I just linked to. lol. Oh well. Have a blessed day.

Love for Enemies

43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Just a note: there is more of the Sermon on the Mount, but this is the end of chapter 5. The Sermon goes up to Mt. 6:24.

Gen. 40:1-23 "The Cupbearer and the Baker"

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

This is a moving chapter. I think sometimes I may read more into into it than I should, so I am just going to let you read what Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M. has written. He is from Bible.org as well, and he has written, "How to Get Out of the Pits, (Genesis 40:1-23). Have a blessing filled day!

The Cupbearer and the Baker

Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.

After they had been in custody for some time, 5each of the two men--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison--had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.

6When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, "Why are your faces so sad today?"

8"We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them."

Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."

9So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, "In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters rippened into grapes. 11Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup and put the cup in his hand."

12"This is what it means," Joseph said to him. "The three branches are three days. 13Within three days Pharaoh will lift up our head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."

16When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, "I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 17In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head."

18"This is what it means," Joseph said. "The three baskets are threee days. And the birds will eat away your flesh. 19Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh."

20Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21He restored the chief cupbearer to his positiion, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand, 22but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.

23The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Isn't that just the way it seems sometimes? It seems as though God has forgotten us, but alas! He never does. We must learn patience, for He answeres our prayers in His time not ours. Shucks! lol

Mt. 4:12-17 "Jesus Begins to Preach"

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

This chapter covers three main themes: Verses 12-17 Jesus withdraws to Galilee, Verses 18-22 Jesus chooses four disciples, and Verses 23-25 Jesus teaches, preaches, and heals. It is encompassed in the title, "The Commencement of Jesus’ Ministry," Matthew 4:12-25. We will cover the first section in Jesus Begins to Preach today.

Jesus Begins to Preach

12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles--
16the people living in darness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the
shadow of death
a light has dawned."

17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Mt. 4:18-22 "The Calling of the First Disciples"

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

"Verses 18-22 Jesus chooses four disciples" is section 2 of the 3 sections of The Commencement of Jesus’ Ministry, Matthew 4:12-25.

The Calling of the First Disciples
4:18-22--Mt 1:16-20; Lk 5:2-11; Jn 1:35-42

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed Him.

21Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Wow. Imagine if we all had that immediacy? How do you follow Jesus? When you feel like it, or because you love Him and desire to all the time? Hmm...

Mt. 4:23-25 "Jesus Heals the Sick"

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

"Verses 23-25 Jesus teaches, preaches, and heals" is the final section of this service in Bible.org. Have a wonderful day!

Jesus Heals the Sick

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordon followed Him.

Gen. 39:1-23 ""Joseph and Potiphar's Wife"

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

This is a chapter that makes me angry at Eve. Not that I blame everything on her, maybe (?), but our innocence is gone. Why do women feel the need to be like men? Why lower ourselves? We are special, too!

Anyway, in this chapter, Bible.org has a very good introduction as well as a good study of Joseph's character. Please read it. While some things may not seem fair, in the end it will brighten your day. Have a blessing filled day. Share His word.

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

2The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!"

8But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" 10And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

11One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

13When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14she called her household servants. "Look," she said to them, "this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."

16She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him this story: "That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."

19When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. 20Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Can you imagine if we all presented ourselves to the world as servants as the LORD, how much more good could be accomplished? This is the message I receive from these verses.

Also, no matter what our circumstance, trust in Him and do our best. Yes, this is a very valuable lesson. Have a blessed day.

Gen. 38 Judah and Tamar

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

Today we shall study Chapter 38. Bible.org has written a wonderful study on "The Skeleton in Judah’s Closet," (Genesis 38:1-30). I implore you to read this extra material. It is of great help and understanding. Especially in this chapter.

Judah and Tamar

At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. 2There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and lay with her; 3she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er. 4She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan. 5She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.

6Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death.

8Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." 9But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother.10What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also.

11Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He may die too, just like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in her father's house.

12After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him.

13When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep," 14she took off her widow's clothers, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife.

15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep with you."

"And what will you give me to sleep with you?" she asked.

17"I'll send you a young goat from my flock," he said.

"Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?" she asked.

18He said, "What pledge should I give you?"

"Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. 19After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes again.

20Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her. 21He asked the men who lived there, "Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?"

"There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here," they said.

22So he went back to Judah and said, "I didn't find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, 'There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here.' "

23Then Judah said, "Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughing stock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her."

24About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant."

Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!"

25As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns these, she said. And she added, "See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are."

26Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again.

27When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 28As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, "This one came out first." 29But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said,"So this is how you have broken out!" And he was named Perez. 30Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah.

Jerusalem Prayer Team 2/19/2006

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

New MI chief to Knesset: Iran aims to destroy Israel

Iran's goal is to eliminate the state of Israel, Major General Amos Yadlin, the new head of Military Intelligence, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Read More

No Negotiations with Hamas-Led PA

Speaking before the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Olmert said, "the day Abbas will appoint a Hamas representative to head a government, we will review all contacts" with the authority. "We will not negotiate and we will not deal with a PA that will be dominated wholly or partly by a terrorist organization," he said. (Ha'aretz) Read More

Ahmadinejad: Israel "Will Be Removed"

Iranian President Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that the Palestinians and "other nations" will eventually remove Israel from the region. (DPA/Bangkok Post) Read More

Iraqi General: WMD Went to Syria

Ali Ibrahim al-Tikriti, a personal friend of Saddam Hussein, commanded units that dealt with chemical and biological weapons.

In a recent interview, Tikriti said: "I know Saddam's weapons are in Syria due to certain military deals that were made going as far back as the late 1980s that dealt with the event that either [of the] capitals were threatened with being overrun by an enemy nation." (Global Politician) Read More

Prayer Priorities

Pray for President Bush. Pray that God will give him wisdom in the choices he makes, and the advisors to whom he listens. Pray for our members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and state and local officials. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Please continue to pray acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Pray the God will give him wise advisors. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem according to Psalm 122:6.

Pray for the families of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan this week. Pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort them, and give supernatural peace. (Philippians 4:7)

Pray for the safety of our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. Pray that God will protect and guide them daily. (Psalm 5:11)

Pray for revival worldwide according to II Chronicles 7:14. (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Pray for the victims of anti-Semitism worldwide who have been touched by the hatred of bigotry. Pray that God will heal the wounds, both physical and psychological. Only God can heal the hurting hearts. (Psalm 140:6)

May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 115:15-18)

Church Wins!

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

The case in Italy where the atheist claimed fraud because there 'is no proof' of Jesus ever having lived was thrown out of the court! It is about time someone stood up for Christ' sake. Literallly.

Iran's Call for England to Leave Iraq Angers Iraqis

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

Omar is angered over the Iranian government's call to Great Britain to remove their troops from Basra. I do not blame him! Basra, after all, is Iraqi territory, not Iranian.

He has written a very good article about this. It is worth your time to read it. There is also an article included in this story about the death squads being sent in by the Iranians. I do not believe Iraqis are very pleased with this news.

Don't forget to pray for our Military, Iraq's Military, their families, and our countries. Let us not forget Afghanistan, too. They all need our prayers. If you do not have a faith, send some good vibs. Thank you.

Mt. 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus

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

In this chapter we find four sections: The Temptation of Jesus, Jesus Begins to Preach, The Calling of the First Disciples, and Jesus Heals the Sick. We will be reading The Temptation of Jesus today.

In Bible.org, they have a complete discussion on this topic called, "The Temptation of Jesus, Part I," Matthew 3:13—4:4, "The Second Temptation of Jesus, Satan’s “Leap of Faith,” Matthew 4:5-7, and "The Third Temptation of Jesus," Matthew 4:8-10.

It may serve us very well to read it, because we are always tempted. We could learn from our Saviour.

The Temptation of Jesus
4:1-11--Mk 1:12, 13; Lk 4:1-13

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3The tempter came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

5Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6If You are the Son of God," he said, "throw Yourself down. For it is written:

" 'He will command His angels
concerning You,
and they will lift You up in their
hands,
so that You will not strike Your foot
against a stone.' "

7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "

8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give You," he said, "if You will bow down and worship me."

10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' "

11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.

Gen. 37:12-36 Joseph Sold by His Brothers

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

We are now entering the last section on Jacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt (Genesis 36:1-37:36). Please read the section dealing with Gen. 37:12-36 and the conclusion. I found it rather powerful and enlightening.

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

12Now his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem, 13and Israel said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Sheckem. Come, I am going to send you to them."

"Very well," he replied.

14So he said to him, "Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me." Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.

When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, "What are you looking for?"

16He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?"

17"They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.' "

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

19"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. 20"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."

21When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. 22"Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.

23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe--the richly ornamented robe he was wearing--24and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

25As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

26Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

28So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

29When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?"

31Then they got Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe."

33He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal had devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces."

34Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son." So his father wept for him.

36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.

I don't know if this makes me more angry or sad. I know it is wrong what they did. Very wrong. This poor child had no one there to protect him. I guess that is what bothers me the most. It is the people you trust that hurt you the most...because they really know how. Shame on them!

PS. I know all things work together for those who have been called, but that does mean I have to like it!

Mt. 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus

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

How exciting this is! I have found on Bible.org John the Baptist and Jesus Matthew, 3:1-17. This gives us a verse by verse insight into this Bible section.

Also, I would like to mention and invite you to their forum. Do you have questions, topics of concern or curiosity, or would you just like to see what other Christians are saying and thinking? Bible.org offers a forum for you! You will have to register, but it only takes a minute. (No, you do not have to write big long stories. lol.) Try it out. I enjoy it.

The Baptism of Jesus
3:13-17--Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21,22; Jn 1:31-34

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"

15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased."

If only God would say those words to me! Everything I have been through, every trial, every tribulation, every sorrow, would not compare with the joy!

Dear Heavenly Father,
Whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty King, the Almighty; please hear my plea. I am so small and crushed. I am full of fear. My enemies, they surround me. They lay in wait for me. No one else can protect me. But You are my Rock, I shall not be shaken.

Please lead me on the narrow path You have set before me. Strengthen me, O LORD, so that I do not fall. Lift me up, O God, and hide me underneath Your wing. I love You so much.
In Jesus' Precious name I pray. Amen.

Gen. 37:1-11 Joseph's Dreams

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

We are almost through the four pinnnacles of Jacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt, (Genesis 36:1-37:36). You will be able to find the notes about one inch scrolled down the site. This is a very good read if you want to do a deep study into the Bible. It is good to know what and why we believe. Many blessings.

Joseph's Dreams

Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.

2This is the account of Jacob.

Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.

3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

5Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."

8His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

9Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

10When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

How alone he must have felt, if he knew of his brothers' hatred. He could not help his dreams. How was he to know he had visions? Joseph is one of the people I certainly identify with in the Bible.

My family moved 4 times without telling me where they were moving to...and I was living with them some of those times! Now when I look back it is funny, but it wasn't then. However, God always helped me to find them. :)

Mt. 3:1-12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

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

John is one of my favorite people, although there are many. Bible.org has an introduction to the whole Chapter of Matthew. If you scroll down about one quarter of the way, you will come upon John the Baptist. Have a blessing filled day.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Mt 3:1-12--Mk 1:3-8; Lk 3:2-17

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for thekingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
Make straight paths for Him.' "

4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Gen. 36:31-43 The Rulers of Edom

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

This section further discusses the kings whom came from Esau. Bible.org has an historical view of Edom today.

For those of you whom are reading along with Mike in the One Year Bible Blog, they are studying Leviticus 4:1-5:19 ~ Mark 2:13-3:6 and Psalm 36:1-12 ~ Proverbs 10:1-2 today. Many blessings to you.

The Rulers of Edom 36:31-43-- 1Ch 1:43-54

31These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:

32Bela son of Beor became king of Edom.
His city was named Dinhabah.
33When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah
succeeded him as king.
34When Jobab died, Husham from the land of
the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35When Husam died, Hadad son of Bedad,
who defeated Midian
in the country of Moab,
succeded him as king.
His city was named Avith.
36When Hadad died,
Samlah from Masrekah
succeeded him as king.
37When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth
on the river succeeded him as king.
38When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Acbor
succeeded him as king.
39When Baal-Hanan son of Acbor died,
Hadad succeeded him as king.
His city was named Pau, and
his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of
Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.

40These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, accourding to their clans and regions:

Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
41Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
42Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
43Magdiel and Iram.
These were the chiefs of Edom,
according to their settlements
in the land they occupied.

This was Esau the father of the Edomites.

Mt. 2:19-23 The Return to Nazareth

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

19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Mt. 2:13-18 The Escape to Egypt

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

This is the introduction to Matthew. In it is the passages we are going to read today. I am using Bible.org: Matthew: Introduction, Argument, and Outline.

13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18"A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more."

Gen 36:1-30 Esau's Descendants

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

In this lesson, there are four sections: Esau's Descendants, The Rulers of Edom (remember Esau was also known as Edom), Joseph's Dream, and Joseph Sold by His Brothers. These four sections are captured under the title, Jacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt (Genesis 36:1-37:36).

Mike from One Year Bible Blog has a very good write up on this section. If you would care to read ahead with Mike, they are studying Leviticus 1:1-3:17 ~ Mark 1:29-2:12 and Psalm 35:17-28 ~ Proverbs 9:13-18 today. Have a blessing filled day.

Esau's Descendants
36:10-14--1Ch 1:35-37
36:20-28--1 Ch 1:38-42

36 This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).

2Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite-- 3also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

4Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, 4and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in Canaan.

This answers my questions as to whether or not Esau went out and married Canaanites after he overheard his father say he did not want Jacob to marry any Canaanites.

In a way, he reminds me of myself in this instance. lol. I used to be a hard head myself.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please forgive me of my pride and selfishness. I did not listen to Your corrections, and I ended up in bad situations. I thank You for always being there for me to rescue me. You truly are my hiding place.

In Jesus' Precious name I pray. Amen.

6Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob. 7Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock. 8So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.

36:8 Seir. Another name for Edom. The word itself is related to the Hebrew word meaning 'hair,' a possible meaning also for the name 'Esau' [see NIV text note on 25:25]. Esau's clan must have driven away the original Horite [see v. 20] inhabitants of Seir [see 14:6 and note]. The descendants of Seir are listed in vv 20-28.

If you would like any notes that are not already provided, please leave a comment letting me know which ones you would like. I will be more than happy to provide them.

9This is the account of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.

10These are the names of Esau's sons:

Eliphaz, the son of Esaus's wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau's wife Basemath.

11The sons of Elipahz:

Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz. 12Esau's son Eliphaz also had a concubine named Timna, who bore him Amalek. These were grandsons of Esau's wife Adah.

The sons of Reuel:

Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were grandsons of Esau's wife Basemath."

14The sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zilbeon, whom she bore to Esau:

Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

15These were the chiefs among Esau's descendants:

The sons of Eliphaz of Esau:

Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16Korah, Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah.

17The sons of Esau's son Reuel:

Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom; they were grandsons of Esau's wife Basemath.

18The sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah:

Chiefs Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the chiefs descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah.

19These were the sons of Esau [that is, Edom], and these were their chiefs.

20These were the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the region:

Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These sons of Seir in Edom were Horite chiefs.

22The sons of Lotan:

Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan's sister.

23The sons of Shobal:

Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.

24The sons of Zibeon:

Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zilbeon.

36:24 This is the Anah who...Zibeon. To distinguish him from the other Ahah mentioned in vv 2, 14, 18. The two Anahs appear together in v 25.

25The children of Anah:

Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.

How can they both appear here? These are the chilren of one man, no? Why throw in the 'daughter of'? To confuse me? Hmm. lol

26The sons of Dishon:

Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran.

27The sons of Ezer:

Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan.

28The sons of Dishan:

Uz and Aran.

29These were the Horite chiefs:

Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These were the Horite chiefs according to their divisions in the land of Seir.

One is the uncle and the other is the nephew. That is what comes apparent by reading all the notes. The Anah in the verse 29 is the uncle, and the one who found the hot springs was the nephew. Wheh!

Justice Scalia Speaks Truth

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

For those of us who would like to keep our nation free and have a say in how it is run, here is an article that caught my eye. He found some words spoken by Justice Scalia about the philosophy of our Constitution being a 'living document.'

Judges seem to have forgotten they were actually supposed to be the weakest branch of government. It appears, at least nowadays, that judges are the end all to be all. Not true!

Are you aware that they are under the thumb of Congress? While their offices were created under Article III, the Congress is responsible for their paychecks, and Congress may, at any time, call for a Constitutional Amendment to ban judges from ruling on certain issues.

No, they are not the end all to be all. We are...if we choose to practice what we preach. Just think about.

Mt. 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi

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

In the Bible.org's discussion, the story of the Magi is down a little ways. The One Year Bible Blog doesn't seem to have a discussion on this, but they are covering Exodus 39:1-40:38 ~ Mark 1:1-28 Psalm 35:1-16 ~ Proverbs 9:11-12 today. Feel free to read ahead and comment. Have a blessed day. ;)

The Visit of the Magi

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of
Judah,
are by no means least among the
rulers of Judea;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my
people Israel.' "

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

I love this story. From the beginning, without speaking a word, He commanded men of great wisdom to fall to their knees and worship Him. (I don't mean 'command' like a commandment. Just the knowledge of who He is gave enough justification.)

I sure do wish I could have been there. Then again, sometimes I wonder...would I have known Him? Would I have been as skeptical as the rest? That bothers me so much. Maybe if I had spent time Him? I believe I might have known. At least that is what I hope.

Gen. 35:16-29 The Death of Rachel and Isaac

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

This section of scriptures the second section of the The Way Back (Genesis 35:1-29) by Bible.org. One Year Bible Blog also has writings on these passages: Genesis 35:1-36:43 ~ Matthew 12:1-21 and Psalm 15:1-5 ~ Proverbs 3:21-26. Please visit Mike, because he really does pour out his heart trying to help us in our walk. :)

The Death of Rachel and Isaac 35:23-26--1Ch 2:1-2

16Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give and had great difficulty. 17And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for you have another son." 18As she breathed her last--for she was dying--she named her son Ben-Omi. But his father named him Benjamin.

19So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel's tomb.

21Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

23The sons of Leah:

Reuben the firstborn of Jacob,
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.

24The sons of Rachel:

Joseph and Benjamin.

25The sons of Rachel's maidservant Bilhah:

Dan and Naphtali.

26The sons of Leah's maidservant Zilpah:

Gad and Asher.

These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

27Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Gen. 35:1-15 Jacob Returns to Bethel

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

This study has two sections: Jacob Returns to Bethel and The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac. The title of the study is The Way Back (Genesis 35:1-29). The One Year Bible Blog also has some very good insights on this, along with the NT Matthew Chapter 12. Don't forget about the Psalms and Proverbs! lol. They do come in handy.

Jacob Returns to Bethel

Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau."

2So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. 4So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. 5Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.

6Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.

8Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So it was named Allon Bacuth.

9Afther Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." So He named him Israel.

11And God said to him, "I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you." 13Then God went up from him at the place where He had talked with him.

14Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.

Apologetics Seminar--Free

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

Monday Evening, February 20, 2006
An Extraordinary Apologetics Event
FREE and Open to Everyone

Biola University's Christian Apologetics Program Presents:

"Truth is a Strange Sort of Fiction: Responding to Emerging Challenges in the Church", with Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason

Sutherland Auditorium, Biola University

Forward this e-mail now to all thinking Christians in your address book!
Bring your friends, family, church groups, and bible study groups to this FREE event.
=================

While you're at it, save the rest of your Monday evenings this Spring!

Join us for the Whole Series of Cutting-edge Lectures:

When: Monday evenings, February 27 through April 10
Time: 7:00- 10:00 p.m.
Where: Calvary Chapel Auditorium, Biola University campus
Cost: $185 if received by February 20 ($195 after February 20)

Register by Telephone by calling toll free 888.332.4652 with credit card.
Special Discount for Biola and Talbot Alumni.

Topics will include:

--The Case for Life After Death
--Beauty as an Apologetic
--A Reasonable Incarnation
--History, Prophecy, and the Revolutionary Jesus
--Truth and the New Kind of Christian
--Why God Allows Evil
--The Changing World of Mormonism

Speakers for the series will include:

--Greg Koukl, M.A. (Free Kick-off Lecture)
--J.P. Moreland, Ph.D.
--John Mark Reynolds, Ph.D.
--Fred Sanders, Ph.D.
--Craig Hazen, Ph.D.
--R. Scott Smith, Ph.D.
--Clay B. Jones, D.Min.
--Mike Erre, M.A.

=================
An Exclusive Weekend Seminar
“God, Time, and Creation”with William Lane Craig, Ph.D., D.Theol.

March 2, 3, & 4 at Biola University

World renowned debater and theologian, Dr. William Lane Craig, will explore:

--Theories of time
--The beginning of our world and the origin of humankind
--The Christian belief of creation ex nihilo
--The kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God
--and more!

Join us in learning how these topics inform the every day life of the Christian thinker.
Don't miss it!

March 2 & 3, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
March 4, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Mayers Auditorium, Biola University
Cost for Seminar: only $95!
(Save $30 when you register for BOTH the William Lane Craig Seminar and our Spring Defending the Faith Lecture Series. Call now!)

=================
For more information on this FREE event, please contact:

The Christian Apologetics Program
Biola University
13800 Biola Ave
La Mirada, CA 90639-0001
Phone: 888.332.4652 (toll free)
apologetics@biola.edu
www.biola.edu/academics/scs/apologetics/events.cfm
Map to Biola: biola.edu/about/map_directions.cfm

Mt. 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ

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

This is a four section lesson by Bible.org. They consist of "The Birth of Jesus Christ," "The Visit of the Magi," "The Escape to Egypt," and "The Return to Nazareth." The title of this lesson is Christmas Faith, (Matthew 1:18-2:23). You may read ahead, because they are small segments, but I cannot type that fast! lol.

The Birth of Jesus Christ.

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary waspledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Gen. 34:1-31 Dinah and the Shechemites

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

Today's message is the second half of One Step Forward and Three Backward (Genesis 33:1--34:31). The One Year Bible Blog has written on these chapters (33, 34) as well. Please comment on Mike's site to let him know you are there, and you truly care. We all could use some edification. :)

Genesis 34:1-31 Dinah and the Shechemites

Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. 2 When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and violated her. 3 His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. 4 And Shechem said to his father Hamor, "Get me this girl as my wife."

5 When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he kept quiet about it until they came home.

6 Then Shechem's father Hamor went out to talk with Jacob. 7 Now Jacob's sons had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter--a thing that should not be done.

8 But Hamor said to them, "My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife. 9 Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves. 10 You can settle among us; the land is open to you. Live in it, trade in it, and acquire property in it."

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the girl as my wife."

13 Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob's sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. 14 They said to them, "We can't do such a thing; we can't give our sister to a man who is not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us. 15 We will give our consent to you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We'll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we'll tke our sister and go."

18 Their proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. 19 The young man, who was the most honored of all his father's household, lost no time in doing what they said, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. 20 So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city to speak to their fellow townsmen. 21 "These men are friendly toward us," they said. "Let them live in our land and trade in it; the land has plenty of room for them. We can marry their daughters and they can marry ours. 22 But the men will consent to live with us as one people only on the condition that our males be circumcised, as they themselves are. 23 Won't their livestock, their property and all their other animals become ours? So let us give our consent to them, and they will settle among us."

24 All the men who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male in the city was circumcised.

25 Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. 26 They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem's house and left. 27The sons of Jacob came upon the dead bodies and looted the city where their sister had been defiled. 28 They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys and everything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields. 29 They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, taking as plunder everything in the houses.

30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed."

31 But they replied, "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?"

How sad this chapter is. From Abraham to Jacob, these men appear to care more about themselves than anyone in their own household. If that were me, I would have done the same as the sons. Period.

Gen. 33:1-20 Jacob Meets Esau

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

33Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four-hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants. 2He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3He himself went on ahead and and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

When did Rachel have Joseph, and why was there not a big deal about it? Hmm...

4But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are these with you?" he asked.

Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant."

6Then the maidservants and their children approached and bowed down. 7Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

8Esau asked, "What do you mean by all these droves I met?"

"To find favor in your eyes, my lord," he said.

9But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

10"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. 11Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

12Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way, I'll accompany you."

13But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. 14So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children until I come to my lord in Seir."

15Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my men with you."

"But why do that?" Jacob asked. "Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

16So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

18After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. 19For a hundred pieces of silver he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. 20There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.

Today's lesson from Bible.org is in two parts: One Step Forward and Three Backward (Genesis 33:1--34:31).

This is due to the fact that I am doing one chapter at a time. I would like to keep the titles given in my Bible as the title of the chapter or verses.

Please remember, feel free to read One Year Bible Blog. They are starting Leviticus! If you have had problems understanding or reading through all the names, you may find this reassuring.

Mt. 1-17 The Genealogy of Jesus

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

1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David; the Son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah
and his brothers,
3 Judah tje father of Perez and
Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose
mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose
mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of Knig David.

David was the father of Soloman,
whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manassehthe father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah
and his brothers at the time of
the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadokthe father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15 Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 Jacob the father of Joseph,
the husband of Mary, of
whom was born
Jesus, who is called Christ.

17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

The bolded names are of my own doing so I may be able to find them easier. Today’s study lessons are Matthew: Introduction, Argument, and Outline, An Introduction to Matthew, and The Origins of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-25.

The first one will take you into the actual study of the book, while the second is an outline for the book of Matthew. I find them both very helpful.

Gen. 32:22-32 Jacob Wrestles With God

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

22That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."

But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

27The man asked him, "What is your name?"

"Jacob," he answered.

28Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

29Jacob said, "Please tell me your name."

But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.

30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

31The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon.

This is the second section of the lesson How to Win With God and Men (Genesis 32:1-32).

I am going to start adding the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs; just like in the One Year Study Bible. Only not as much to read. This way, it won't take me forever to finish. lol. Besides, I like the NT as well. God bless everyone.

Gen. 32:1-21 Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau

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

Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is the camp of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim."

3Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: 'Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying wth Laban and have remained there till now. 5I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.'"

6When the messegengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."

7In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. 8He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."

9Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' 10I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. 11Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12But You have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which can not be counted.'"

13He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 14two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, "Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds."

17He instructed the one in the lead: "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?' 18then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.'"

19He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the Jacob: You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20And be sure to say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.'" For he thought, "I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me." 21So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

Today's lesson is How to Win With God and Men (Genesis 32:1-32). This lesson is divided into two sections; Abraham Prepares to Meet Esau (Gen. 32:1-21), and Jacob Wrestles With God (Gen. 32:22-32). Have a blessed day.

Gen. 31:22-55 Laban Pursues Jacob

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

22On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."

25Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27Why do you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? 28You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing. 29I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' 30Now you have gone off because youlonged to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?"

31Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

How awful. What a disappointment it must have been to find the one you love the most is the one who has done wrong. What lesson is there in this that we can learn? Do not swear an oath against someone if you do not know the whole story? Maybe it's even bigger than this. Do we ever really know the whole picture? Maybe we shouldn't speak so confidently against anyone. Maybe we should do what Rebekah did; say, "Let God judge between us." Yes, I do believe that would be best. I could be wrong, however. It's happened once or twice. lol.

33So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. 34Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.

35Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods.

36Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. "What is my crime?" he asked Laban. "What sin have I committed that you hunt me down? 37Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us."

38"I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and toil of my hands, and last night He rebuked you."

43Laban answered Jacob, "The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne? 44Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I and let it serve as a witness between us."

45So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.

48Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed. 49It was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. 50If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness betweeen you and me."

51Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. 52This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me. 53May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us."

So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. 54He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.

55Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.