Gen. 25:1-34 Three Sections

"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 Death of Abraham
25:1-11; 25:1-4--1Ch 1:32-33

Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. 3Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. 4The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.

5Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

7Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

Ishmael's Sons
25:12-18; 12-16--1Ch 1:29-31

12This is the account of Abraham's son Ishmael, whom Sarah's maidservant Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.

13These are the names of the sons Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15Hadad, Tema, Jetut, Naphish and Kedemah. 16These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. 17Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. 18His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

Jacob and Esau
25:19-34

19This is the account of Abraham's son Isaac.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

21Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.

"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

24When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. 26After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebakah gave birth to them.

27The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. 28Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.)

31Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."

32"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"

33But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

34Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strenth God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the Glory and the Power for ever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:7-11 NIV

SCOTUS Unanimously Finds USA a Christian Nation

"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 third part of a decision rendered unanimously by the SCOTUS that the USA is indeed a Christian Nation, a country of a religious people. Hallelujah!

If you would care to research this for yourself, I used the words: "1892" or "scotus" or "trinity." David Josiah Brewer was the associate justice who wrote the opinion.

The first link appears to be the actual text. Help Save America has a nice discussion about this topic.

I hope this helps you in your walk and understanding of our heritage. God bless you, and have a blessed day.

Gen. 24:1-67 Isaac and Rebekah

"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

Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. 3I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of Heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."

5The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?"

6Make sure that you do not take my son back there," Abraham said. 7"The LORD, the God of Heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land'--He will send His angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 8If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there." 9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

10Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor.11He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

12Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'--let her be the one You have chosen for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master."

15Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. 16The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.

17The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give a little water from your jar."

18"Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

19After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking." 20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. 21Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful.

22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka [half a shekel] and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. 23Then he asked, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"

24She answered him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor." 25And she added, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night."

26Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, 27saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

28The girl ran and told her mother's household about these things. 29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. 30As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring. 31"Come, you who are blessed by the LORD," he said. "Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."

32So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. 33Then food was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say."

"Then tell us," Laban said.

34So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. 35The LORD has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys. 36My master's wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. 37And my master made me swear an oath, and said, 'You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38but go to my father's family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.'

39"Then I asked my master, 'What if the woman will not come back with me?'

40"He replied, 'The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father's family. 41Then, when you go to my clan, you will be released from my oath even if they refuse to give her to you--you will be released from my oath.'

42"When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. 43See, I am standing beside this spring; if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar," 44and if she says to me, "Drink, and I'll draw water for your camels too," let her be the one the LORD has chosen for my master's son.'

45"Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

46"She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

47"I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?'

"She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.'

"Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms, 48and I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son. 49Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn."

50Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.

When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."

55But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."

56But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."

57Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." 58So they called Rebekah and asked her, ""Will you go with man?"

"I will go," she said.

59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. 60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

"Our sister, may you increase
to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
the gates of their enemies."

61Then Rebekah and her maids got ready and mounted their camels and went back with the men. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

62Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63He went to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65and asked the servant, "Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?"

"He is my master," the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

66Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. 67Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1Pe 3:13-16 NIV

Gen. 23:1-20 The Death of Sarah

"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

Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven yers old. 2She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

3Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, "I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead."

5The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6"Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead."

7Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. 8He said to them, "If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf 9so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you."

Notice how Abraham would take nothing from anyone that was not purchased? Is this an introduction to the way we are to behave? It brings shame and/or hardship when in debt to another. Hmm.

10Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 11"No, my lord," he said. "Listen to me; I give you the field and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead."

12Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land 13and he said to Ephron in their hearing, "Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there."

14Ephron answered Abraham, 15"Listsen to me, my lord; the land is four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between me and you? Bur your dead."

16Abraham agreed to Ephron's terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

17So Ephron's field in Machpelah near Mamre---both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field---was deeded 18to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. 19Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.

The gate of the city (or any city) is the place where people took their complaints to be judged. It was also a place where many did their business.

Gen. 23 and 24 in are discussed by a One Year Bible Study (group?). I have joined up!

Bible.org also has a section on dealing with death. It is very good.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 NIV

Gen. 22:1-24 Two Sections

"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

Abraham Tested

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

2Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

This is where I see the promise of God unfolding. He has asked Abraham to take his one and only son, which he has waited for a lifetime to have, to offer as a sacrifice. In this same way, Christ was offered as a sacrifice. He took all the sins of the world upon His shoulders. All of them. Thank You, God.

3Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.

I see faith here. When Abraham says, "We will come back to you," I believe he trusted God to save his son. Maybe he did not know how, just like we don't know how to get through some situations, but if we only had that much faith!

6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together. 7Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

8Abraham answered, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

It is at this point, if this were a movie, I would have lost it. Can you imagine what Isaac's father must have been feeling? Was he praying? Did he know? Did he really trust God that much? Did he lie to Isaac? I want answers! lol.

9When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

12"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

This is how I get confused about the angel of the LORD and God Himself. The angel is speaking to him, right? Then why is he speaking as though he were God?

13Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

15The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from Heaven a second time 16and said, "I swear by Myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18and through your offspring all nations on earth will blessed, because you have obeyed Me."

19Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

Am I the only one who is curious about what Isaac thinks about this whole matter? I cannot imagine my father bounding me up on an altar! Did he have any scars emotionally, or is this a new phenomena?

Nahor's Sons

20Some time later Abraham was told, "Milcah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother Nahor: 21Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kamuel (the father of Aram), 22Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidiaph and Bethuel." 23Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham's brother Nahor. 24His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also had sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maachah.

Please remember to check Bible.org's reading/discussion of Chapter 22. It is very thought provoking.

Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Heb. 13:1-3

Priest on Trial; Claims Christ is Real

"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 NIV

VITERBO, Italy — An Italian judge heard arguments Friday on whether a small-town parish priest should stand trial for asserting that Jesus Christ existed.

I do believe that some atheists are mentally ill. What is it they always tell us about the travesty of trash they put on our airwaves and movies? If you don't like it, you can always change the channel or turn it off. I say to you, Mr. Luigi Cascioli, "If you don't like it, don't go to Church. However, leave us alone." Good grief.

Gen. 21:1-34 Three Sections

"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 Birth of Isaac

21 1Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. 2Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commended him. 5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." 7And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

8The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egytian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."

11The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."

14Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.

15When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.

17God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from Heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

I do not know for certain whether or not it is God speaking, the Holy Spirit speaking, or just an angel. Should I change the color of the text? Should I leave it as it is? Oh my, decisions!

19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

20God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

The Treaty at Beersheba

22At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. 23Now swear to me hear before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you."

24Abraham said, "I swear it."

25Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water Abimelech's servants had seized. 26But Abimelech said, "I don't know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today."

27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a treaty. 28Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29and Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?"

30He replied, "Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well."

31So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.

32After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God. 34And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

13 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were there fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Heb 13:1-3 NIV

Gen. 20:1-18 Abraham and Abimelech

"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

20-1-18ref -- Ge 12:10-20; Ge 26:1-11

Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

3But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman."

4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, "Lord, will You destroy an innocent nation? 5Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister, and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands."

6Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die."

8Early the next morning, Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done." 10And Abimelech asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?"

11Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." ' "

14Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like."

16To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated."

17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, 18for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's houlshold because of Abraham's wife Sarah.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverence the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb 12:1-3 NIV

I Believe

"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

My dear friend, PebblePie sent me this list of 'I Believe,' and I would like to share them with you.

I believe that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.

I believe that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for the rest of your life.

I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you ever see them.

I believe that you can keep going long after you think can't.

I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion will fade, and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done, when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe that my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back on your feet.

I believe that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but I never have the right to be cruel.

I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all that they have.

I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we alone are responsible for who we become.

I believe that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and each see something totally different.

I believe that your life can be changed in a matter of minutes by people who don't even know you.

I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you far too soon.

I believe that no matter how badly your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

And I would like to add: I believe in God, and I believe in you.

Computer Down-Time

"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

Blogger.com has informed us that between 4-4:15pm PCT on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, blogger.com will not be accessable due to some technical glitch that they have to fix. Please come visit either before or after this time. I apologize for this inconvienence, and thank you for your patience.

Gen. 19:30-38 Lot and His Daughters

"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

30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. 32Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father."

33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, "Last night I lay with my father. Let's get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and lie with him so we can preserve our family line through our father." 35So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went and lay with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

36 So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 37The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.

12 For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; It judges the the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.
Heb. 4:12-13 NIV

Gen. 19:1-29 Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

"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

19 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2"My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."

"No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."

3But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

Here it appears that Lot did not express the same zeal as Abraham did. Whereas Abraham ran to greet them, Lot waited for them to come. Also, Abraham bowed low to the ground, whereas Lot only bowed. Yes, his face was was to the ground, but he did not bow to ground.

Abraham hurried to get things ready, even before they accepted their offer. Lot made it sound as if they could do the washing themselves. Also, Abraham offered food, while Lot was in a hurry to get rid of them in morning!

4Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house. 5They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

6Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. 8Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."

9"Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing perssure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

This reminds me of the radical homosexuals of our day. (I said radical, so if you are a homosexual and you are not a radical one, that does not include you.) There is no discussion on any subject. No morality except theirs. They do not want to be judged, okay. Why are they always judging our motives? Why do they always challenge our beliefs? Are we not allowed to have them? Then they are not allowed to have theirs!

10But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.

12The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here--sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it."

14So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy it."

15With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished."

16When he hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!

18But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! 19Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. 20Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it--it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared."

21He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

23By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. 25Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land. 26But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the placewhere he had stood before the LORD. 28He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.

29So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

Gen. 18:16-33 Abraham Pleads for Sodom

"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

18 16When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. 17Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19For I have chosen him, so he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about what He has promised him."

20Then, the LORD said, "The outcry against Sadom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

22The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23Then Abraham approached Him and said: "Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25Far be it from You to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

26The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

27Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the LORD, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will You destroy the whole city because of five people?"

"If I find forty-five there," He said, "I will not destroy it."

29Once again He spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?"

He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it."

30Then he said, "May the LORD not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?"

He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

31Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the LORD, what if only twenty can be found there?"

He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it."

32Then he said, "May the LORD not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?"

He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

33When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He left, and Abraham returned home.

16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created.
James 1:16-19, NIV

Why I Chose Anonymity

"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

When I decided to start this site, I wasn't quite sure which direction I would be going. All I knew was that I was so caught up with the blogosphere, I was losing touch with God.

This could not stand. If I were to give that much of myself to a machine and neglect my spiritual walk, then I would be worshipping the machine and not God. It wouldn't matter how many prayers I said, it would not do.

I was wrong, and God, I am sorry.

Many people 'know' me in the blogosphere, and I wanted the freedom to show my weaknesses without having them used against me. It has been done before, and I just wanted to be careful.

Also, I have a reputation as a citizen jounalist (at least in my mind, lol), and I do not like the way people are judging Christians.

It amazes me how people without faith are so easy and quick to recite Luke 6:37-42, yet they are so quick to judge you as soon as you step one inch off the path.

Luke 6:37 is where is states: (paraphrased) do not judge others, but if you do you will be judged by that same measure.

I do not mind being corrected in love, not at all. I may not like it, but I would not be human if I did! lol. I still need the fellowship of other Christians, as we all do. I just don't need nor want the fellowship with atheists (oxymoron; you cannot have fellowship, for what does the light have in common with the dark?) telling me how I am supposed to live.

I ran into that situation before, and it took all I had to politely ignore him. I am weak when it comes to anger. Too weak.

So why did I want to remain anonymous? I didn't want anyone to judge me on my past performances. lol. I truly want to read the Bible, but mine is in too small of a print. I bought one in large print, and I will never (maybe) shop at that store again! Large print my behind.

That left me not studying the Word of God. I can no longer live my life this way.

This is why I am writing the Bible. This is also a place where I shall come to pray, confess, rejoice, cry, share, comfort, grow, and live. Yes, this is going to be a very good year, God willing.

Everyone have a wonderfully blessed day.

Gen. 18:1-15 The Three Visitors

"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

18The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

18:2 three men. At least two of the "men" were angels (see 19:1). The third may have been the LORD Himself. hurried. The story in vv. 2-8 illustrates Near Eastern hospitality in several ways: 1. Abraham gave prompt attention to his guests. 2. He bowed low to the ground. (I have my own little input on this.) 3. He politely addressed one of his guests as "my lord" and called himself "your servant," a common way of speaking when addressing a superior. 4. He acted as if it would be a favor to him if they allowed him to serve them. 5. He asked that water be brought to wash their feet, an act of courtesy to refresh a traveler in a hot, dusty climate. 6. He prepared a lavish for them (who did?!). 7. He stood nearby assuming the posture of a servant, to meet their every wish. Hebrews 13:2 is probably a reference to vv. 2-8 and 19:1-3.

3He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant."

"Very well," they said, "do as you say."

6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."

7Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him.

"There, in the tent," he said.

10Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance at the tent, which was behind Him. 11Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"

13Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

15Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."

But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."

I love this passage. It reminds me so much of the last supper. There is much packed into this and the next chapter that I must wait to speak upon it. Oh well. God bless everyone.

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:18-24 NIV

Gen. 17:1-27 The Covenant of Circumcision

"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 NIV 17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. 2I will confirm My covenant between Me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."

3Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4"As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5No longer will you be called Abram; you will be called Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of the descendants after you. 8The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

9Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner--those who are not your offspring. 13Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

15God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."

17Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" 18And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under Your blessing!"

19Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." 22When He had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

23On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. 24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that same day. 27And every male in Abraham's household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

What I receive from this, beside obedience, is that even at ninety-nine years of age it is never too late to seek and find God. That is powerful to me, for it gives me hope for the world.

No one is too far gone, too old, too bad, too sinful, or anything else. The only thing keeping people from Heaven is themselves. Their refusal to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Saviour.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your life, grace, humility, obedience, strength, love, and so many things I cannot write them all! You did this for me. I was lost, and You found me. I was hungry, and You made sure I had food. I was sinful, and You died on the cross for my sins.

I repent of my sin of lust. I know it is not toward anyone in particular, but the thought of being alone is very hard. I know I am not alone as long as I have you, but You understand my heart. I thank You for that also. I repent of my sin of anger and yelling at my brother and the world. I do not know what is wrong with me.

Is it possible I have not let go from something long before? Am I hiding? I repent my fears of being caught by my ex. I know I should trust You more than I really do. Please forgive me, God. I love You. Please purify my heart. Make my spirit white as snow. In Jesus' Precious name I pray. Amen.

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
1Co 2:1-5 NIV

Gen. 16:1-16 Hagar and Ishmael

"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 NIV 16 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2so she asid to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me." 6 "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar, so she fled from her. 7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered. 9 Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." 10The angel added, "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count." 11 The angel of the LORD also said to her:

"You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." 14That is why the well was called Beer Labai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. 15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Even though he had already given Sarai as the Pharaoh's wife, it is at this time where I can see the trouble between women and men starting. Actually, it started back in the garden when Adam, instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, pointed the finger at Eve, and vis versa. Yet this practice was to continue until this day. How can a man claim to love one, yet lay with another? How can a woman not feel awful? This is one thing I do not understand. Another thing comes into my mind as a question. Is this where Muslims come from? Or do cousins still need to be Christians? I know there is only one way to enter Heaven... The real problem I have with this is exactly this: If people could get to Heaven without the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, then why did He have to die for our sins? This is something we do not earn, for God did not give this to us because of our works but our faith. If He did not have to die, then the whole thing is foolish, and we are fools. This, however, is not so! For it is written from the beginning:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. 12Yes to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision of a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I believe this. With every cell of my body, so I cannot accept that the other is true as well. What can I do? I can pray, I can befriend people, I can offer, I can be bold, I can be wise as to when not to be so bold (I'm still working on that one), there are many ways we can effect other's lives. If only by our actions, I have had people come up to me after I accepted Jesus back into my heart and say, "What happened to you? You have changed. I want to be happy like you are!" That opens a door for at least a conversation. Why is it this way? Why do some go to Heaven and others do not? When I figure out how to make a universe out of nothing, I'll try to answer that for you. Right now I believe it is our choice. We cannot demand choice, and then cry because we have it. Life is very fragile, yet it is very strong. We are to go out and make disciples of all the peoples. Let us hope and pray we do a well job. Thanks.

9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil 2:9-11 NIV

Gen. 15:1-21 God's Covenant With Abram

"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 NIV 15 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:

"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can You give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." 5He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

15:5 count the stars--if indeed you can. See 22:17. More than 8,000 stars are clearly visible in the darkness of a Near East night. So shall your offspring be. The promise was initially fulfilled in Egypt (see Ex 1; see also Dt 1:10; Heb 11:12). Ultimately, all who belong to Christ are Abram's offspring (see Gal 3:29).

6 Abram believed the LORD, and He credited to him as righteousness.

15:6 Abram is the "father of all who believe" (Ro 4:11), and this verse is the first specific reference to faith in God's promises. It also teaches that God graciously responds to a man's faith by crediting righteousness to him (see Heb 11:7).

7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." 8But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" 9 So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a pigeon." 10 Abram brought all these to Him, cut themin two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-- 19the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."

Some of the references I find in the lower section of any Bible are still up to scrutiny. They are still okay for some items, such as dates, culture, etc., but I sometimes think they settle on things that others are still debating. How can this be?! Well, that's just the way I see it.

2Devote yourselves t0 prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col 4:2-6 NIV.

Prayer Priorities: Jerusalem Prayer Team

Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good shall come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. (Psalm 112:1-9) 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 for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and for acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. 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, especially those injured by an attacked in a Moscow synagogue this week. Pray that God will heal the wounds, both physical and psychological. Only God can heal the hurting hearts. (Psalm 140:6) "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

Gen. 14:1-24 Abram Rescues Lot

14 At this time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Golim 2went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinah king of Adnah, Shemeber king of Zeboilim, and the king of Beia (that is, Zoari). 3All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (the Salt Sea). 4For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

14:1 Amraphel king of Shinar. Not the great Babylonian king Hammurapi, as once thought. Golim. The Hebrew word means "Gentile nations" and may be a common noun here (as in Isa 9:1). 14:3 Salt Sea. The Dead Sea, whose bromide salts, making it the densest large body of water on earth.

5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriahaim 6and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. 7Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.

14:6 Horites. Formerly thought to be cave dwellers (the Hebrew word hor means "cave"), they are now known to have been the Hurrians, a non-Semitic people widely dispersed throughout the ancient Near East. 14:7 En Mishpot. Another name for Kadesh, it means "spring of judgement/justice." It is called Meribah Kadesh, "quarreling/litigation at Kadesh," in Dt. 32:51 (see Nu 27:14). Kadesh. Located in the southwest Negev. It was later called Kadesh Barnea. Amalekites. A tribal people living in the Negev and in the Sinai peninsula. Amorites. See note on 10:16.

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim 9against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar--four kings against five. 10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. 11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

There is too much written in the notes to re-write. I think I will just include what may help clear any confusing issue. I don't know what is confusing to each one, so please feel free to ask.

13 One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of the Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19and he blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who delivered your enemies into your hand."

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself." 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' 24I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me--to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share."

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col 3:16 NIV

"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

Gen. 13:1-18 Abram and Lot Separate-

13 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

13:2 had become very wealth. Abram left Egypt with greater wealth than he had before--even as Israel would later leave Egypt laden with wealth from the Egyptians (Ex 3:22; 12:36).

3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4and where he had first an built altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.

13:4 Abram called on the name of the LORD. As he had done earlier at the same place (see 2:8).

5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

13:6 the land could not support them. Livestock made up the greater part of their possessions, and the region around Bethel and Ai did not have enough water or pasture for such large flocks and herds (see v 10; 26:17-22,32; 36:7). 13:7 Perizzites May refer to rural inhabitants in contrast to city dwellers. This is why I want to build that life-line chart. I believe one of the sons was name Periz. I am going to have to look that later and get back to you. Thanks.

8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."

13:8 brothers. Relatives (as often used in the Bible). 13:9 Abram, always generous, gave his young nephew the opportunity to choose the land he wanted. He himself would not obtain wealth except for the LORD's blessing (see 14:22-24).

10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11So Lot chose for himself the whole plain o the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

13:10 plain. The Hebrew for this word picturesquely describes this section of the Jordan Valley as oval in shape. like the land of Egypt. Because of its abundant and dependable water supply (see note on 12:10), Egypt came the closest to matching Eden's ideal conditions (see 2:10). The LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. See especially 18:16-19:29. The names Sodom and Gomorrah came proverbial for vile wickedness and for divine judgement on sin. Archaelogy has confirmed that, prior to this catastrophe, the now dry area east and southeast of the Dead Sea (see note on 10:19) had ample water and was well populated. 13:12 Lot...pitched his tents near Sodom. Since the men of Sodom were known to be wicked (see v 13), Lot was flirting with temptation by choosing to near them. Contrast the actions of Abram (v 18).

14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."

13:14 Lift up your eyes...and look. See Dt 34:1-4. Lot and Abram are a study in constrasts. The former looked selfishly and coveted (v 10); the latter looked as God commanded and was blessed. 13:16 like the dust of the earth. A simile (common in the amcient Near East) for the large number of Abram's offspring (see 28:14; 2Ch 1:9; see also Nu 23:10). Similar are "as numerous as the stars in the sky" and "as the sand on the seashore." 13:17 walk through...the land. Either to inspect it or to exercise authority over it, demonstrating the promised ownership.

18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an alter to the LORD.

13:18 Mamre. A town named after one of Abram's allies (see 14:13). For reasons that are many, I will not be writing all the commentary for each verse, should it appear viable. It may be redundant. If you would like to check on the meaning, location, usage, etc. of a word, feel free to use the "Search The Bible" link at the top of the page. I thought it might have been a good idea, but I am not so sure now. It isn't actually explaining much, except for tellng me to go to places where I can find it written again! Um, how does that explain it to me? I'm sorry. I will continue to use the ones which help, while leaving the others on the page from whence they came.

"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 NIV

Gen. 12:10-20 Abram in Egypt

12:10-20Ref--Ge 20:1-18; 26:1-11 10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you."

12:10 went down to Egypt...because the famine was severe. Egypt's food supply was usually plentiful because the Nile's water supply was normally dependable. 12:11 beautiful. see v 14. She was 65 at the time (see v 4;17:17). The Genesis Apocryphon (one of the Dead Sea Scrolls) praises Sarai's beauty. Abram's experience in this episode foreshadows Israel's later experience in Egypt, as the author of Genesis, writing after the exodus, was very much aware. Abram was truly the "father" of Israel. 12:13 Say you are my sister. If Pharaoh were to add Sarai to his harem while knowing she was Abram's wife, he would have to kill Abram first.

14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman. 15And when Pharaoh's officals saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.

12:16 Livestock was an important measure of wealth in ancient times (see 13:2). camels. Although camels were not widely used until much later (see, e.g., Jds 6:5), archeology has confirmed their occasional domestication as early as the partriarchal period.

17 But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai. 18So Pharaoh summoned Abram. "What have you done to me?" he said. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?" 19"Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!" 20Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

12:19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister'...? Egyptians ethics emphasized the importance of absolute truthfulness, and Abram was put in the uncomfortable position of being exposed as a liar.

'Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

"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 NIV

Gen. 12:1-9 The Call of Abram

12 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

12:1 had said. God had spoken to Abram "while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran." (Ac 7:2). Leave...show you. Abram must leave the settled world of the post-Babel nations and begin a pilgrimage with God to a better world of God's making. (see 24:7)

2 "I will make you a into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

12:2,3 God's promise to Abram has a sevenfold structure: (1) "I will make you into a great nation," (2) "I will bless you," (3) "I will make your name great," (4) "you will be a blessing," (5) "I will bless those who bless you," (6) "whoever curses you I will curse," and (7) "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." God's original blessing on all mankind (1:28) would be restored and fulfilled through Abram and his offspring in various ways and degrees, these promises were reaffirmed to Abram. (v. 7; 15:5-21; 17:4-8; 18:18-19; 22:17-18;) to Isaac (26:2-4), to Jacob (28:13-15; 35:11-12; 46:3) and to Moses (Ex 3:6-8; 6:2-8). The seventh promise is quoted in Ac 3:25 with reference to Peter's Jewish listeners (see Ac 3:12)--Abram's physical descendents--and in Gal 3:8 with reference to Paul's Gentile listeners--Abram's spiritual descendents.

4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

12:4 Abram left as the LORD had told him. see Heb 11:8. Prompt obedience grounded in faith characterized this patriarch throughout his life (see 17:23; 21:14; 22:3). Lot went with him. See 13:1,5. Lot at first was little more than Abram's ward. seventy-five years old. Although advanced in age at the time of his call, Abram would live for another full century (see 25:7; see also note on 5:5). 12:5 people they had acquired. Wealthy people in that ancient world always had servants to help them with their flocks and herds (see 15:3; 24:2). Not all servants were slaves; many were voluntarily employed.

At this point I would like to introduce to you History. If you will notice, there are many things which occur in the lives of the people throughout the Bible which do not fare well with people of today. (In reference to the people they had acquired.) This is realized, yet the Bible is a record of the history of the people at that time, as well as God's Word, which cannot be changed. It shall not be changed to be politically correct, not will it hide it's sin. One of the purposes may be for you to see what sin actually looks like so you may avoid it. When you create an entire universe, come back and maybe we'll talk. Until then, I already know that man is flawed. If you will read Genesis 3, you will also know!

6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he bulit an altar there to the LORD, Who had appeared to him.

12:6 site of the great tree of Moreh. See perhaps 35:4; Jds 9:6,37. A famous sanctuary was located at Shechem in central Canaan, and a large tree was often a conspicuous feature at such holy places. But Abram worshipped the LORD there, not the local deity. 12:7 The LORD appeared. The LORD frequently appeared visibly to Abram and to others, but not in all His glory (see Ex 33:18-20; Jn 1:18). an altar. The first of several that Abram built at places where he had memorable spiritual experiences (see v. 8; 13:18; 22:9). He acknowledged that the land of Canaan belonged to the LORD in a special way (see Ex 20:24;Jos 22:19).

8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 9Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

12:8 Bethel. Just north of Jerusalem, it was an important town in the religious history of God's ancient people (see, e.g., 28:10-22;35:1-8; 1Ki 12:26-29). Only Jerusalem is mentioned more often in the OT. 12:9 Negev. The dry wasteland stretching southward from Beersheba. The same Hebrew word is translated "south" in 13:14.

We don't know exactly how much time was spent near the great tree, or at least I do not know. I do know that Abram was moving in faith to a place the LORD has not yet revealed. Can you imagine having such faith? At that period of time, no one was particularly Godly. I think it would help if I also wrote my notes. Here goes.

...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we live; and there is but one LORD, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live. 1Ch 8:6 NIV

"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 NIV

A Blessing from PebblePie

Today (or was it yesterday?) I awoke to find a link over at a wonderful lady's site. It is a link to a beautiful song about "I can imagine" how it will be on that glorious day. A very wonderful song, and you may find it here. Thank you, PebblePie. May God bless this day and always. "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

Gen. 11:10-32 From Shem to Abram

11:10-27pp--Ge 10-21; 1Ch 1:17-27 11 10This is the account of Shem: Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad. 11And after he became the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters. 12 When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah. 13And after he became the father of Shelah, Araphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 14When Shelah had lived 30 years, he became the father of Eber. 15And after he became the father of Eber, Shelah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

Did you notice that Shelah and Eber both lived 403 years after their firstborn? I had to go and check, and it is true. However, they did not both start having children at the same age. It is just one of those things I have noticed since I decided to type the Bible. Probably because I do not want to make a mistake.

16 When Eber had lived 34 years, he became the father of Peleg. 17And after he became the father of Peleg, Eber livid 430 years and had other sons and daughters. 18When Peleg had lived 30 years, he became the father of Reu. 19And after he became the father of Reu, Peleg lived 209 years and other sons and daughters. 20 When Reu had lived 32 years, he became the father of Serug. 21And after he became the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters. 22 When Serug had lived 30 years, he became the father of Nahor. 23And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

That name sounds familiar...

24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he became the father of Terah. 25And after he became the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters. 26 After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.

So that is why it sounded familiar! Have you ever met people with the same name? In the Bible, that occurs frequently. That is why I would like to keep a chart as to who is who. (If I can figure out how.)

27 This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 29Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. 30Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.

It would appear that Milcah married her Uncle, but I am not so sure. Earlier we discussed how many people have the same name. I just cannot answer this for you or me.

31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran. Today's Verse:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

"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 NIV