My God and My Country

2012-02-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 5 Verses 7-8
7 For there are three, which bear record in heaven,the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and thesethree are one.8 And there are three, which bear record in theearth, the Spirit, and the Water and the Blood: andthese three agree in one.
Related Scripture
John 1:1-5, 14-15; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 2:13-14; Revelation 19:13; Hebrews 4:12; Ecclesiastes 4:12; John 10:30; John 14:7-10, 23; John 17:11; 1 John 2:24; John 5:36; John 3:13; John 8:58; John 17:22; John 15:26; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12

2012-02-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 5 Verse 6
6 This is that Jesus Christ that came by water andblood: not by water only, but by water and blood:and it is that Spirit that beareth witness: for thatSpirit is truth.
Related Scripture
John 19:34; Luke 22:20; Romans 5:9; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 7:27; 1 Peter 1:2; John 14:17; John 1:33; Matthew 3:11; Psalm 119:42, 142; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 4:6; John 15:26;

Concerto No. 10 for Strings Aria

2012-02-09T04:19:00.001-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 5 Verses 4-5
4 For all that is born of God, overcometh thisworld: and this is that victory that hath overcomethis world even our faith.5 Who is it that overcometh this world, but hewhich believeth that Jesus is that Son of God?
Related Scripture
John 16:33; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-5; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Psalm 44:7; Proverbs 21:31; Revelation 3:21;

2012-02-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 4 Verse 17

17 Herein is that love perfect in us, that we shouldhave boldness in the day of judgment: for as he is,even so are we in this world.
Related Scripture
1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2; John 15:9-10; John 17:11; Colossians 1:13; Jude 1:21; Zephaniah 3:17;
Suggested additional reading 2 Corinthians 5

2012-02-04T03:53:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 4 Verse 15Chapter 5 Verse 1
15 Whosoever confesseth that Jesus is the Sonof God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God.1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is that Christ,is born of God: and everyone that loveth him, whichbegat, loveth him also which is begotten of him
Related Scripture
Romans 10:9; Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:11; Acts 16:31; Romans 4:24; Isaiah 45:23; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 4:2; John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29;

2012-02-02T04:34:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of John

Chapter 4 Verses 9-10, 19

9 Herein was that love of God made manifest

amongst us, because God sent that his only begotten

Son into this world, that we might live through

him.

10 Herein is that love, not that we loved God, but

that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a reconciliation

for our sins.

19 We love him, because he loved us first.

Related Scripture

John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 15:13; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; 1 Peter 2:24;

2012-01-31T06:15:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 4 Verse 6
6 We are of God, he that knoweth God, hearethus: he that is not of God heareth us not. Hereby knowwe the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Related Scripture
John 8:47; Ezekiel 3:27; Matthew 13:8-9, 16, 23; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13; Mark 13:5-6; 1 Timothy 4:1;

The Sunday Sermon

2012-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Exhortation of the mind to the contemplation of God

By St. Anselm

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

Cast Aside all Worldly Thoughts

The mind of man should cast aside cares, and exclude all thoughts save that of God, that it may seek Him. Man was created to see God. Man by sin,( Genesis 3:6-12;) lost the blessedness for which he was made, and found the misery for which he was not made. He did not keep this good when he could keep it easily. (Genesis 25:32;)(a) Without God it is ill with us. (Psalms 28:1; Jeremiah 7:23;)Our labors and attempts are in vain without God. (Ecclesiastes 1:2;) Man cannot seek God, unless God himself teaches him; nor find him, unless he reveals himself. (Psalms 86:11; Galatians 1:16; God created man in his image, that he might be mindful of him, think of him, and love him. (Job 7:17;)The believer does not seek to understand, that he may believe, but he believes, that he may understand: for unless he believed he would not understand. ( Hebrews 11:1;)

UP now, slight man! flee, for a little while, thy occupations; hide thyself, for a time, from thy disturbing thoughts. Cast aside, now, thy burdensome cares, and put away thy toilsome business. Yield room for some little time to God; and rest for a little time in him. (Zephaniah 3:17;) Enter the inner chamber of thy mind; shut out all thoughts save that of God, and such as can aid thee in seeking him; close thy door and seek him. (Matthew 6:5-6;) Speak now, my whole heart! speak now to God, saying, I seek thy face; thy face, Lord, will I seek (Psalms 27:8; Isaiah 26:9;). And come thou now, O Lord my God, teach my heart where and how it may seek thee, where and how it may find thee. (Songs 3:2; Psalm 51:10;)

A prayer and praise to our creator:

Be it mine to look up to thy light, even from afar, even from the depths. Teach me to seek thee, and reveal thyself to me, when I seek thee, for I cannot seek thee, except thou teach me, nor find thee, except thou reveal thyself. Let me seek thee in longing, let me long for thee in seeking; let me find thee in love, and love thee in finding. Lord, I acknowledge and I thank thee that thou hast created me in this thine image, in order that I may be mindful of thee, may conceive of thee, and love thee; but that image has been so consumed and wasted away by vices, and obscured by the smoke of wrong‑doing, that it cannot achieve that for which it was made, except thou renew it, and create it anew. I do not endeavor, O Lord, to penetrate thy sublimity, for in no wise do I compare my understanding with that; but I long to understand in some degree thy truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, that unless I believed, I should not understand.

Scripture as used above

Genesis 3:6-12; Genesis 25:32; Psalms 27:8; Psalms 28:1; Ecclesiastes 1:2; Jeremiah 7:23; Psalms 86:11; Galatians 1:16; Hebrews 11:1; Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 6:5-6; Songs 3:2; Psalm 51:10;

(a) Editor’s note - The use of a this scripture as a reference serves more as an illustration. The fact that Esau was more concerned about his present circumstances that he would give up his birthright for a pot of stew demonstrates to me that too many of us, myself included, have often times taken our eyes off the things of the spirit and have placed them instead on those things of the world.

2012-01-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 4 Verse 4
4 Little children, ye are of God, and have overcomethem: for greater is he that is in you, than hethat is in this world.
Related Scripture
John 14:30; John 16:11; Matthew 12:41; Romans 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4-5; 2 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 2:20;

2012-01-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 4 Verses 1-2
1 Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, buttry the spirits whether they are of God: for manyfalse Prophets are gone out into this world.2 Hereby shall ye know the Spirit of God, Everyspirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come inthe flesh is of God.
Related Scripture
Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Matthew 24:5, 23-24; Matthew 7:15; Mark 13:21-22; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 2:18, 22; 2 John 1:7; Jeremiah 14:14; Lamentations 2:14; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 14:11-12; Philippians 2:10-11;

2012-01-26T04:17:00.001-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 3 Verse 22
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,because we keep his commandments, and do thosethings which are pleasing in his sight.
Related Scripture
Matthew 21:22; John 15:7; John 16:25; 1 John 5:14; Matthew 7:7-8; John 14:13; John 9:31; John 11:22; Psalm 34:15; Job 36:7; Psalm 33:28; 1 Peter 3:12; John 8:16, 29; Acts 10:38; Colossians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5;

2012-01-24T03:48:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 3 Verse 11, 17-18
11 For this is the message that ye heard from thebeginning, that we should love one another,17 And whosoever hath this world’s good,and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth uphis compassion from him, how dwelleth the love ofGod in him?18 My little children, let us not love in word,neither in tongue only, but in deed and in truth.

Related Scripture
John 13:34; John 15:12; Ezekiel 18:25-30; Luke 3:11; James 1:22; James 214:20; Isaiah 58:7; Romans 2:13; Matthew 25:35-36; Deuteronomy 15:7; Ezekiel 33:31;

2012-01-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

The Sunday Sermon

Knowing Nothing But the Cross

by Charles E. Jefferson (1860-1937)

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified - 1 Corinthians 2:2

Preface - by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

So often we think upon the Joys of being a Christian. We will live with our heavenly Father and His Son Christ Jesus. We will be victorious in all we do, over-comers, conquerors, joyful and filled with the knowledge that God is for us, and with us at all times. But what do we bring to God’s table? Do we consider the price we pay? How often have we been told that it is a myth, a lie, a concoction of the mind of man? How often have we been accused of being self-righteous, judgmental? How many times have we had to defend our beliefs against the onslaught of a dying world that questions the very existence of God? During the Great Depression of the 1930s, there was a group of people, atheists by self confession, that wrote to our government to forgo the National Day of Thanksgiving. Their reason being; “ how can a merciful and loving God allow so many to suffer?” Many such people make that same claim today in various forms.

So again I ask what do each of us need to bring to the table? Perhaps a better question should be, what should we bring to the table? Herein below then is one man’s suggestion; that we deny ourselves, and take up the cross.
RPW. Sr.

Let us think about the cross. And when I say "cross " I mean the cross set up on Golgotha. We are in the habit of using the word nowadays with many significations. The cross; what is the cross? It is an architectural decoration, a pretty way of ending a spire. It is a piece of jewelery dangling from a man's watch-chain, or hanging from a woman's neck. It is a figure of speech. Do we not talk about our "little crosses" and smile over them through our tears? But the cross about which I wish to speak is a piece of rough timber with a dying man nailed to it. That hideous spectacle lies at the very centre of our religion.

It is a misfortune of our age that Christianity is surrounded by a golden haze. When seen through this golden haze the religion of the Son of God seems to be a beautiful and ethereal thing. It is a poem whose rhythmic cadences soothe the imagination and satisfy our anesthetic nature. It is a lovely song, to be handed over to the lips of expert singers, and to be interpreted by the great masters of tone. It is a picture, tragic and pathetic, before which we can sit down in our hours of meditation and wonder or cry. It is a philosophy, to be studied and discussed; a learned thing, to be expounded in essays and eloquent orations. It is a dream, beautiful and luminous as the Syrian sky under which it had its birth. And when we speak about "the cross" we mean a certain line in the poem, a verse in the anthem, a color in the picture, an enigma in the philosophy, the central glory of the dream.

But that is not the religion of the Son of God. The Christian life as Jesus lived it was a simple, prosaic, practical thing. "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"( Luke 2:49;) "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work." (John 9:4;) "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (John 4:34;) So he said as he labored through the years. He went into society, where men and women were tied round and round with foolish customs and ridiculous fashions, and he defied these fashions by acting as a Son of God ought to act.

Not only was it certain to him that he must move steadily toward the cross, but it was equally clear that every man who would do the work which he was engaged in must also move toward a cross. His experience was not to be exceptional, but it was to be the established rule. ( Luke 9:23;) He could not allow men to follow him unless he was first assured that they understood the condition on which discipleship became possible. Jesus made the cross conspicuous because he knows what is in man.

-Be a Christian in order that you may help save a world-

When Jesus met those young men on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He said to Peter and Andrew and James and John: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." (Mark 1:17;) This is to say one should get off of your snug little Sea of Galilee and venture out upon the ocean, where storms are tremendous and vast interests are in danger. And whenever throughout his life he succeeded in getting men to come to him, he immediately said: "Go preach the gospel. I send you like so many sheep into the midst of wolves." (Luke 10:3;) That is what it is to be a Christian: to throw one's self into the hard, rough work of bringing this world back to God. That is the appeal, and the only appeal that goes deep into a man's soul. That is the appeal which Christianity brings to the young men of America. My brethren, be Christians, in order to bring a world back to God.

No one can be a Christian without risk and loss. We are not in danger now of being cut to pieces by the knives of savages, but words are daggers and cause more suffering than drawn swords do. Bullets kill, but words lacerate and leave the heart bleeding. Popularity is as sweet to-day as it has ever been, but popularity is something we must be ready to part with at any hour. John Greenleaf Whittier once laid his hand on the head of a fifteen-year-old boy and said: "My lad, if you want to win success, identify yourself with some unpopular but noble cause." Whittier when a boy had done just that thing. He had identified himself with the antislavery cause. He had suffered many things because of his convictions, but in his old age he had the joy of seeing the world come round to where he stood. At the end of the day he wore a crown. One may suffer for a little while, but your light affliction is but for a moment. Without such suffering humanity cannot advance, nor can you be a worthy follower of the Son of God. " It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him : if we suffer, we shall also reign with him." ( 2 Timothy 2:11; Romans 6:8)

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8;) Behold! Down, down, down! Up from the pit of his humiliation there comes the exhortation to "Follow me," and down from the heights of his glory there falls the great promise " To him that over cometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne." (Revelation 3:21;)

Scripture as used above

Luke 2:49; John 9:4; John 4:34; Luke 9:23; Mark 1:17; Luke 10:3; 2 Timothy 2:11; Romans 6:8; Philippians 2:5-8; Revelation 3:21;

2012-01-21T04:19:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 3 Verses 1-2
1 Behold, what love the Father hath given tous, that we should be called the sons of God: Forthis cause this world knoweth you not, because itknoweth not him.2 Dearly beloved, now are we the sons of God,but yet it is not made manifest what we shall be: andwe know that when he shall be made manifest: weshall be like him: for we shall see him as he is.
Related Scripture
1 John 4:10; John 1:12; John 15:18, 21; John 16:3; Matthew 6:9: Romans 8:15-16, 18-19, 29, 23; Galatians 4:6; Psalm 16:8-11; Psalm 21:6; Romans 6:5; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Romans 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:3;
Suggested additional study - Acts 13:23-39

2012-01-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 2 Verse 29, Chapter 3 Verse 3
29 If ye know that he is righteous, know ye thathe which doeth righteously, is born of him.3 And every man that hath this hope in himpurgeth himself, even as he is pure
Related Scripture
Acts 22:14; 1 John 3:7, 10; Romans 5:13; James 2:23; Galatians 3:6; Genesis 15:6; 1 John 4:17; Matthew 12:36; 2 Peter 2:9; 1Corinthians 5:7; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 9:14; Isaiah 1:16-18; Psalm 79:8-9; Psalm 65:2-4; Malachi 3:2-4;
Suggested additional reading Romans 4

2012-01-19T04:16:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 2 Verse 25
25 And this is the promise that he hath promisedus, even that eternal life.
Related Scripture
Matthew 19:16-17; John 3:15; John 6:47, 54; John 10:28; John 17:2-3; Acts 13:48; Romans 2:7; Romans 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:19; Titus 1:2; Titus 3:7; Jude 1:21;

2012-01-18T05:38:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 2 Verse 23
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hathnot the Father.

Related Scripture
John 5:23; Luke 10:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:25; Titus 3:5; John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16;
Suggested additional study John 15

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of John

Chapter 2 Verses 15-16

15 Love not this world, neither the things that
are in this world. If any man love this world, the
love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in this world, (as the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) is not
of the Father, but is of this world.

Related Scripture

Romans 12:2; James 4:4; Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 Peter 1:14; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 4:23; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:10; John 15:19; Ecclesiastes 5:10-11; 1Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 1:27;

Suggested Additional Reading Matthew 13, Jude 1, and Psalm 37

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 2 verses 10-11
10 He that loveth his brother, abideth in thatlight, and there is no occasion of evil in him.11 But he that hateth his brother, is in darkness,and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whitherhe goeth, because that darkness hath blinded hiseyes.
Related Scripture
1 John 3:14-15; 2 Peter 1:3, 10; John 8:51, 55; John 14:23-24; Romans 8:28; John 12:35; Galatians 4:8; Titus 1:16; Revelation 3:17; Romans 2:10-11; 2 Peter 1:9; Isaiah 59:10; Proverbs 26:17; Matthew 15:13-14;
Suggested additional reading James 2

2012-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

We must adhere to those who cultivate peace, not to those who merely pretend to do so.
The Sunday SermonExcerpts from the Writings of ClementEdited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, “This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Isaiah 29:13 xxix. 13;Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 15:8-9; Mark 7:6-7;) And again: “They bless with their mouth, but curse with their heart.”(Psalm 12:4; Psalm 73:8-9;) They loved Him with their mouth, and lie to Him with their tongue; their heart is not right with Him, neither are they faithful in His covenant. and the boastful tongue of those who have said, Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?
For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not of those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding Him. For He says, “Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have declared our message in His presence: He is, as it were, a child, and like a root in thirsty ground; He has no form nor glory, yea, we saw Him, and He had no form nor comeliness; but His form was without eminence, yea, deficient in comparison with the ordinary form of men. He is a man exposed to stripes and suffering, and acquainted with the endurance of grief: for His countenance was turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed. He bears our iniquities, and is in sorrow for our sakes; yet we supposed that on His own account He was exposed to labour, and stripes, and affliction. But He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we were healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; every man has wandered in his own way; and the Lord has delivered Him up for our sins, while He in the midst of His sufferings openeth not His mouth. He was brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before her shearer is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away; who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth. For the transgressions of my people was He brought down to death.
Ye see, beloved, what is the example which has been given us; for if the Lord thus humbled Himself, what shall we do who have through Him come under the yoke of His grace?
Scripture as used above
Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 15:8-9; Mark 7:6-7; Psalm 12:4; Psalm 73:8-9;

2012-01-14T06:09:00.001-08:00

The First Epistle of John

Chapter 2 Verses 3, 6

3 And hereby we are sure that we know him,
if we keep his commandments.
6 He that saith he remaineth in him, ought even
so to walk as he hath walked.

Related Scripture

John 14:15; John 15:10; John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Deuteronomy 7:9; Nehemiah 1:5, 9; Leviticus 26:3, 9, 12; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 4:4; Proverbs 7:1-2;

2012-01-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of John

Chapter 2 Verses 1-2

1 My little children, these things write I unto

you, that ye sin not: and if any man sin, we have an

Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just.

2 And he is the reconciliation for our sins: and

not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole

world.

Related Scripture

Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:11, 24; Romans 8:34; Romans 3:25; John 1:29; 1 John 4:10; Acts 14:16; Acts 17:30; John 15:22; Ezekiel 2:5; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6;

Suggested additional reading Hebrews 9 and Hebrews 10

2012-01-10T03:49:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 1 Verses 5-7
5 This then is the message, which we have heardof him, and declare unto you, that God is light, andin him is no darkness.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not truly.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,we have fellowship one with another, and the bbloodof Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Related Scripture
John 8:12, 24, 58; Exodus 3:14; 1 John 3:13; 1 Timothy 6:16; Psalm 104:12; John 12:46; 1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 4:20; Isaiah 2:5; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 43:3; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:8;

2012-01-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

The First Epistle of JohnChapter 1 Verses 1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, whichwe have heard, which we have seen with these oureyes, which we have looked upon, and these handsof ours have handled of that word of life,2 For that life was made manifest, and we haveseen it, and bear witness, and show unto you thateternal life, which was with the Father, and was mademanifest unto us.3 That I say, which we have seen and heard declarewe unto you, that ye may also have fellowship withus, and that our fellowship also may be with theFather and with his Son Jesus Christ4 And these things write I unto you, that yourjoy may be full.
Related Scripture

John 1:1; John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16; Luke 24:39; Colossians 1:18 Revelation 1:5; Matthew 17:1-6; Mark 14:62; John 20:25; John 1:4; Romans 16:26; John 21:24; John 1:18; John 16:28; 1 John 2:5; John 14:23; John 6:56; John 14:20; John 15:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 36:9; John 12:46; John 16:28; 1 John 4:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Romans 8:28;
Editor’s thought If one reads the verses in reverse, each one supports the preceeding one. This is to say, that John is writing to the reader, that he is saying that upon reading, we will likewise be in fellowship, not only with himself, (John and the Disciples), but also with God the Father and Christ the Son. He declares that the Spirit of God was made flesh through Christ and bears witness to the Father; that they not only seen it, but heard it and touched it with their own senses. And finally that both were there in the beginning and both are eternal.

2012-01-07T03:54:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 13 Verse 5
5 Prove yourselves whether ye are in the faith:examine yourselves: know ye not your own selves,how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates
Related Scripture
James 1:13; Romans 8:10; Galatians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 9:27; John 17:23; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27;

2012-01-05T04:19:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 11 Verse 30 & Chapter 12 Verses 9-10
30 If I must needs rejoice, I will rejoice of mineinfirmities9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient forthee: for my power is made perfect through weakness.Very gladly therefore will I rejoice rather in mineinfirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell inme.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, inreproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguishfor Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am Istrong.
Related Scripture
Jeremiah 9:23-24; Psalm 34:2; 1 Peter 4:14; Psalm 89:50-51; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 2:20; Romans 5:3, 11; Romans 8:35; Luke 21:19;
Additional Reading - James 1

2012-01-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Chapter 11 Verses 12-15

12 But what I do, that will I do, that I may cut
away occasion from them which desire occasion, that
they might be found like unto us in that wherein
they rejoice.
13 For such false apostles are deceitful workers, and
transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed
into an Angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing, though his
ministers transform themselves, as though they were
the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be
according to their works.

Related Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:12; Acts 20:30-35; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; Mark 13:21-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Acts 15:24; Romans 16:24; Galatians 1:7-8; Philippians 1:15; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 2:2; Philippians 3:2; Titus 1:10; 2 Peter 2:15; Hosea 9:1; Malachi 3:5;

Editor’s notation - Some notes from the Geneva Bible

Paul’s adversaries sought all occasions they could, to be equal to him. And therefore seeing they had rather eat up the Corinthians, than preach to them for nothing, they sought another occasion,
to wit, to make Paul to take something: which thing if he had done, then hoped they by that means to be equal to him: for they made such a show of zeal and knowledge, and set it forth with such a glossing kind of eloquence, that some of them even despised Paul: but he showeth that all this is nothing but colors and painting. Now at length he pointeth out these fellows in their colors, forewarning that it will come to pass, that they will at length betray themselves, what countenance soever they make of zeal that they have to God’s glory. By light is meant the heavenly glory, whereof the Angels are partakers.

2012-01-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 10 Verses 12, 17-18
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number,or to compare ourselves to them, which praisethemselves: but they understand not that theymeasure themselves with themselves, and comparethemselves with themselves.17 But let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord.18 For he that praiseth himself, is not allowed,but he whom the Lord praiseth.
Related Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:12; Isaiah 65:16; Jeremiah 9:24; 1 Corinthians 1:31; Psalm 31:5; Psalm 34:2; Proverbs 27:2; Romans 2:29; 1 Corinthians 4:5; John 5:44; John 12:43;

2012-01-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 10 Verses 3-5
3 Nevertheless, though we walk in the flesh, yetwe do not war after the flesh.4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,but mighty through God, to cast down holds.)5 Casting down the imaginations, and everyhigh thing that is exalted against the knowledge ofGod, and bringing into captivity every thought tothe obedience of Christ,
Related Scripture
John 1:12-13; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:23; 1 John 4:3; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Timothy 1:18; Acts 7:22; Jeremiah 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:19-25; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 6:9-10;
Additional reading Romans 8 And Jude 1

Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel

2011-12-25T08:03:00.001-08:00

A Christmas Sabbatical

2011-12-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ;

I will be taking a week (plus today) from posting my daily studies. If anyone feels so inclined to share their own study for the coming week, (or any time for that matter), please feel free to do so, as it advances the Gospel of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

Additionally it is my prayer and fondest hope that all of you have a wonderful, safe, Christmas, and God's rich blessings in your lives and that of your family and friends in the coming new year. May we all, each of us, never stray far from as the saying goes, the "reason for the season" and that His sacrifice, is always foremost in our minds.

Indeed, as the old Christmas carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" says: "God and sinners reconciled"

Respectfully Yours I remain your humble servant in Christ;

RPW. Sr.

2011-12-22T06:35:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 9 Verses 6-7
6 This yet remember, that he which soweth sparingly,shall reap also sparingly, and he that sowethliberally, shall reap also liberally.7 As every man wisheth in his heart, so let himgive, not a,grudgingly, or of necessity: for God lovetha cheerful giver.
Related Scripture
Proverbs 11:24-25; Proverbs 22:9; Galatians 6:7-9; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 21:6; Proverbs 19:17; James 4:17; Deuteronomy 15:7, 10; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Romans 12:8; Psalm 15:2;

2011-12-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 8 Verse 9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,that he being rich, for your sakes became poor, thatye through his poverty might be made rich.
Related Scripture
Matthew 8:20; Daniel 7:14; Matthew 9:6; Matthew 12:8; Matthew 13:41; Mark 8:31; Philippians 2:6-7; Romans 9:5, 23; Hebrews 1:2-13; Colossians 1:15-16; 1 John 4:14-15; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 3:18;

2011-12-20T07:53:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 7 Verse 10
10 For godly sorrow causeth repentance untosalvation, not to be repented of: but the worldlysorrow causeth death.
Related Scripture
2 Samuel 12:13; 2 Samuel 24:10; Psalm 32:1-5, 10; Psalm 51:10; Matthew 26:75; Proverb 28:13; Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 22:15; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 18:14; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:21; Romans 8:39; Matthew 25:46;

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 7 Verse 1
1 Seeing then we have these promises, dearlybeloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthinessof the flesh and spirit, and finish our sanctificationin the fear of God.
Related Scripture
1 John 3:3; 1 John 4:17; 1 John 1:9; Malachi 3:3; James 4:8; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Psalm 119:9; Matthew 23:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 7;
Suggested additional reading 1 Thessalonians 4 in it’s entirety

The Sunday Sermon

2011-12-18T06:22:00.001-08:00

Teach Us to Pray ( Part 3)

by Billy Sunday

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“And so it was, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

The Gospel of Luke Chapter 11 Verse 1

Pride Hinders Prayer

Pride keeps us from proper prayer. Being chesty and big-headed is responsible for more failures than anything else in this world. It has spoiled many a preacher, just as it has spoiled many an employee. Some fellows get a job and in about two weeks they think they know more about the business than the boss does. They think he is all wrong. It never occurs to them that it took some brains and some knowledge to build that business up and keep it running till they got there.

Here's two things to guard against. Don't get chesty over success, or discouraged over a seeming defeat.

"And when he prayed he said: 'Lazarus, come forth'; and he that was dead came forth" (John 11:43). If we prayed right we would raise men from sin and bring them forth into the light of righteousness.

"And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered" (Luke 9:29).

If you are devoting your time and thoughts to society, your countenances will show it. If you pray, I can see that.

Every man who has helped to light up the dark places of the world has been a praying man. (Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16;) I never preach a sermon until I've soaked it in prayer. ( 1 Kings 8:28-29, 38, 45; Psalm 39:12; Psalm 54:2; Matthew 21:22; Acts 6:4;) Never. Then I never forget to thank God for helping me when I preach. (Psalm 30:12; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15;) I don't care whether you read your prayers out of a book or whether you just say them, so long as you mean them. A man can read his prayers and go to heaven, or he may just say his prayers and go to hell. We've got to face conditions. When I read I find that all the saintly men who have done things from Pentecost until today, have known how to pray.

2011-12-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians Chapter 6
Dear Brethren in Christ;
Today’s study is as noted above the reading of chapter six (click link above) in it’s entirety. The reason behind this, is simply, that it speaks out on the life of one whose dedication is to the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. It describes the marks of the ministry, to which, we must all be partakers. While it is true that most of us cannot make that sort of dedication, (that is to say being as a full time missionary, or an ambassador, as was Paul and the other Apostles), we each of us can identify with it. That we use the power of the Gospel to do all things in our lives as to the glory of God. To be His proxy on earth so that others might see, through our actions, and our lives what His love is towards His children.
Related Scripture
Romans 8:35-37;

2011-12-15T04:06:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 6 Verse 2
2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted,and in the day of salvation have I succoredthee: behold now the accepted time, behold now theday of salvation.
Related Scripture
Isaiah 49:8; Psalm 69:13; Isaiah 42:6; Luke 4:19; Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 12:18;

2011-12-13T04:23:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 5 Verse 19
19 For God was in Christ, and reconciled the worldto himself, not imputing their sins unto them, andhath committed to us the word of reconciliation. (a)
(a) Editor’s note - Imputing - Charging, attributing or ascribing; to the account of; To impute;1) To charge; to ascribe; to attribute; to set to the account of; to charge to one as the author, responsible originator, or possessor; -- generally in a bad sense.2) To adjudge as one's own the sin or righteousness of another; i.e. the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us. - Source Webster’s Dictionary Editions 1828 and 1913
Related Scripture
Romans 3:24; Hebrews 9:12-15; Acts 5:31; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:14, 20; Psalm 49:15; Psalm 69:18; Nehemiah 1:6;
Suggested additional reading - Hebrews 9

2011-12-12T07:40:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 5 Verse 17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him be anew creature. Old things are passed away: behold,all things are become new.
Related Scripture
John 6:63; Romans 8:1-2, 9-11; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Isaiah 43:18, 25; Isaiah 65:16-18; Ephesians 4:24; Revelation 21:2-6;
Suggested additional reading Romans 6, Colossians 3

The Sunday Sermon

2011-12-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

Teach Us to Pray ( Part 2)

by Billy Sunday

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“And so it was, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

The Gospel of Luke Chapter 11 Verse 1

Learning of Christ (a)

"Teach us to pray," implies that I want to be taught. It's a great privilege to be taught by Jesus. A friend of mine was preaching out in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and had to go to a hospital in Chicago for an operation, and I was asked to go and preach in his place. Alexander was leading the singing, and one night Charles [Butler] called a little girl out of the audience to sing. She didn't look over four or five years of age, though she might have been a little older. I thought, "What's the use? Her little voice can never be heard over this crowd." But Charlie stood her up in a chair by the pulpit and she threw back her head and out rolled some of the sweetest music I have ever heard. It was wonderful. I sat there and the tears streamed down my cheeks. That little girl was the daughter of a Northwestern engineer and he took her to Chicago when her mother was away. Some one took her to Patti. Patti took the little girl to one of her suite of rooms and told her to stand there and sing. Then she went to the other end of the suite and sat down on a divan and listened. The song moved her to tears. She ran and hugged and kissed the little girl and sat her down on the divan and said to her: "Now you sit here and I'll go over there and sing." She took up her position where the child had stood, and she lifted her magnificent voice and she sang "Home, Sweet Home" and "The Last Rose of Summer" sang them for that little girl! And Patti used to get a thousand dollars for a song, too. She always knew how many songs she was to sing, for she had a check before she went on the platform. It was a great privilege the little daughter of that Northwestern engineer had, but it's a greater privilege to learn from Jesus Christ how to pray.

A friend of mine told me he went to hear Paganini, and the great violinist broke one of the strings of his instrument, then another, then another, until he had only one left, and on that one he played so wonderfully that his audience burst into terrific applause. It was a privilege to hear that, but it's a greater privilege to have Jesus teach you to pray.

Let us take a few examples from the life of Christ. In Mark we learn that he rose up early in the morning and went out to a solitary place and prayed (Mark 1:35). He began every day with prayer. You never get up without dressing. You never forget to wash your face and comb your hair. You always think of breakfast. You feed your physical body. Why do you starve your spiritual body? If nine-tenths of you were as weak physically as you are spiritually, you couldn't walk.

When I was assistant secretary of the Y.M.C.A. at Chicago, John G. Paton came home from the New Hebrides and was lecturing and collecting money. He was raising money to buy a sea-going steam yacht, for his work took him from island to island and he had to use a row-boat, and sometimes it was dangerous when the weather was bad, so he wanted the yacht. We had him for a week, and it was my privilege to go to lunch with him. We would go out to a restaurant at noon and he would talk to us. Sometimes there would be as many as fifteen or twenty preachers in the crowd, and now and then some of us were so interested in what he told us of the work for Jesus in those far-away islands that we forgot to eat. I remember that he said one day: "All that I am I owe to my Christian father and mother. My father was one of the most prayerful men I ever knew. Often in the daytime he would slip into his closet, and he would drop a handkerchief outside the door, and when we children saw the white sentinel we knew that father was talking with his God and would go quietly away. It is largely because of the life and influence of that same saintly father that I am preaching to the cannibals in the South Seas." It is an insult to God and a disgrace to allow children to grow up without throwing Christian influences around them. Seven-tenths of professing Christians have no family prayers and do not read the Bible.

In the fourteenth chapter of Matthew ( Matthew 14:23) it is told that when Jesus had sent the multitudes away he went up into the mountain and was there alone with God. Jesus Christ never forgot to thank God for answering his prayers. Jesus asked him to help him feed the multitude, and he didn't neglect to thank him for it. Next time you pray don't ask God for anything. Just try to think of all the things you have to be thankful for, and tell him about them. (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15; )

(a) Editor’s thought - I am reminded here of the Gospel of Luke Chapter 10 Verses 38 - 42

2011-12-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 5 Verse 15
15 and he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and roseagain.
Related Scripture
Romans 6:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Titus 2:12; Galatians 1:4; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 3:5; Revelation 1:5;
Suggested additional reading Romans 6 and Romans 7

2011-12-08T04:23:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter Chapter 5 Verse 7
7 For we walk by faith, and not by sight.
Related Scripture
Romans 1:2; Romans 8:24; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Titus 1:2; Titus 3:7;

2011-12-07T04:47:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 5 Verses 1, 5
1 For we know that if our earthly house of thistabernacle be destroyed, we have a building givenof God, that is, an house not made with hands, buteternal in the heavens.5 And he that hath created us for this thing, isGod, who also hath given unto us the earnest of theSpirit
Related Scripture
Job 4:19; 2 Corinthians 4:7; John 3:31; Hebrews 9:24; Mark 14:58; John 2:19, 21; Romans 8:23; Luke 20:36; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30;

2011-12-06T14:38:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 4 16, 18
16 Therefore we faint not, but though our outwardman perish, yet the inward man is renewed daily.18 While we look not on the things which areseen, but on the things which are not seen for thethings which are seen, are temporal: but the thingswhich are not seen, are eternal.
Related Scripture
Isaiah 40:29, 31; Job 17:9; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 3:13; 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Corinthians 10:7; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 15:4; Titus 2:13; Psalm 43:5; Psalm 103:5; Lamentations 3:24;
Suggested additional reading of Psalm 103 in it’s entirety.

2011-12-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the CorinthiansChapter 4 Verse 6
6 For God that commanded the light to shineout of darkness, is he which hath shined in our hearts,to give the light of the knowledge of the glory ofGod in the face of Jesus Christ. (a)
Editor’s note - The following is a commentary by a Ms. Margaret E. Thrall from a book I have been using as a study aid along with my daily reading;
“The reference is from Genesis 1:3, although it is not an exact quotation, since the words of Genesis run; And God said let there be light. In this context it is an allusion the creation of physical light. The light that Paul is speaking of however, is the spiritual and intellectual inward illumination which is the result of the knowledge of God’s nature which Christians posses through their knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul’s comparison of this enlightenment with the original creation of light at the beginning of the the world implies that the bringing in existence of Christians by God, through the work of the Apostles, is like the fresh creation of the human race. To live as a Christian is to live a totally new kind of life.”
Related Scripture Genesis 1:3; 2 Peter 1:19; John 1:4-5, 9; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10;

The Sunday Sermon

2011-12-04T05:19:00.001-08:00

Teach Us to Pray ( Part 1)

by Billy Sunday

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“And so it was, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

The Gospel of Luke Chapter 11 Verse 1

We live and develop physically by exercise. We are saved by faith, but we must work out our salvation by doing the things God wills. The more we do for God, the more God will do through us. Faith will increase by experience.

If you are a stranger to prayer you are a stranger to the greatest test source of power known to human beings. If we cared for our physical life in the same lackadaisical way that we care for,our spiritual, we would be as weak physically as we are spiritually. You go week in and week out without prayer. I want to be a giant for God. You don't even sing; you let the choir do it. You go to prayer-meeting and offer no testimony.

You are a stranger to the great privilege that is offered to human beings. Some of the greatest blessings that people enjoy come from prayer. In earnest prayer you think as the Lord directs, and lose yourself in him.

Some people say: "It's no use to pray. The Lord knows everything, anyway." That's true. He does. He is not limited, as I am limited. He knows everything and has known it since before the world was. [For what God knows, doesn't know, and chooses not to know, see omniscience]. We don't know everybody who is going to be converted at this revival, but that doesn't relieve us of our duty. We don't know, and we must do the work he has commanded us to do.

Others say: "But I don't get what I pray for." Well, there's a cause for everything. Get at the cause and you'll be all right. If you are sick and send for the doctor, he pays no attention to the disease, but looks at what produced it. If you have a headache, don't rub your forehead. In Matthew it is written, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). If your prayers are not answered you may not be right with God. If you have no faith, if your motive is wrong, then your prayers will be in vain. Many times when people pray they are selfish. They are not gripping the word. I believe that when many a wife prays for the conversion of her husband it isn't because she really desires the salvation of his soul, but because she thinks if he were converted things would be easier for her personally. Pray for your neighbors as well as your own family. Oh, the curse of selfishness! The Church is dying for religion, for religion pure and undefiled. Pure religion and undefiled is visiting the widow and the fatherless (James 1:27) and doing the will of God without so much thought of yourself. I tell you, a lot of people are fooling themselves these days.

Isaiah says the hand of God is not shortened and his ear is not deaf (Isaiah 59:1). No, his hand is not shortened so that it cannot save. He has provided agencies by which we can be saved. If he had made no provision for your salvation, then the trouble would be with God; but he has provided, so trouble is with you.

In Ezekiel we read that men have taken idols into their hearts and put stumbling-blocks before their faces (Ezekiel 14:3). God is not going to hear you if you place clothes, money, pride of relationship before him. You know there is sin in your life. Many people know there is sin in their lives, yet ask God to bless them. They ought first to get down on their knees and pray, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13).

Some people are too contemptibly stingy for God to hear them. When you stand praying, forgive if you have aught against anyone. (Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:21, 25; Luke 6:37; 2 Corinthians 2:7,10; 1John 1:9;) It's no use to pray if you have a mean, miserable disposition, if you are grouchy, if you quarrel in your home or with your neighbors. It's no use to pray for a blessing when you have a fuss on with your neighbors. ( Ephesians 4:26;)The spirit of God flees from strife and discord. (Proverbs 6:14, 19; Proverbs 29:22; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:2-6; James 3:14-16;)

Prayer draws you nearer to God. ( Psalm 73:28; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 13:6; )

2011-12-03T03:53:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 4 Verses 3-4
3 If the Gospel be then hid, it is hid to themthat are lost.4 In whom the god of this world hath blindedthe minds, that is, of the unbelievers, that the light ofthe glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the imageof God, should not shine unto them.
Related Scripture
1 Corinthians 1:18; Psalm 83:17; Job 6:18; John 12:31, 40; 1 John 1:5-10;
Suggested additional reading 1 John 2

2011-12-02T07:14:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 4 Verses 1-2

1 Therefore, seeing that we have this ministry,
as we have received mercy, we faint not:
2 But have cast from us the cloaks of shame, and
walk not in craftiness, neither handle we the word
of God deceitfully: but in declaration of the truth
we approve ourselves to every man’s conscience in
the sight of God.

Related Scripture

1 Peter 1:3; Romans 11:30-32; Hebrews 4:16; Deuteronomy31:6; Joshua 1:9; Ezra 10:4; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:24; Isaiah 41:6; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; Romans 14:18; 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 2 Timothy 2:15;

Suggested Additional Reading 2 Timothy 2

2011-11-30T05:16:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 3 Verse 18
18 But we all behold as in a mirror the glory ofthe Lord with open face, and are changed into thesame image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit ofthe Lord.
Related Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6; Romans 8:29-30; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:23-24;Ecclesiastes 8:1;
Suggested additional reading Ephesians 4

2011-11-29T04:00:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 3 Verse 16
16 Nevertheless when their heart shall be turnedto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. (a)
(a) Editor’s note - The veil of the temple separated the Holy of Holies from the people. In effect, it said that one could not approach the throne of God, (for our sins were such that God could not accept us in our imperfection), wherein was kept the mercy seat. Once our Savior died and became the sacrifice for all of our sins that curtain, that veil, was removed once and forever thus saying that our Creator has redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
Related Scripture
Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45; Exodus 26:31-37; Romans 11:23; Isaiah 25:7; Ephesians 4:18;
Suggested additional reading Romans 11

2011-11-28T08:40:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 3 Verses 14-15
14 Therefore their minds are hardened: for untilthis day remaineth the same covering untaken awayin the reading of the old Testament, which veil inChrist is put away.15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read,the veil is laid over their hearts
Related Scripture
Isaiah 6:10; Isaiah 29:10; Acts 28:26; Romans 11:7-8; 1 Samuel 6:6; Psalm 81:12; Isaiah 44:18; Hebrews 3:15; John 12:40; 2 Timothy 3:8; Matthew 13:13-15;

2011-11-27T04:38:00.000-08:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Six)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in mine absence, so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of
a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and
rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Mutual Joy (verses 17-18)

"I joy and rejoice with you all," says Paul. He is glad by himself to make the offering of his life, if this supreme sacrifice is demanded. He will not shrink back, but will meet it gladly, and all the more readily since he can share his joy with them. Fellowship is a blessed reality. Paul is glad on his own account that he has been the instrument in their salvation . He is still more joyful at the experiences of grace which they have in Christ. Joy is not selfish, but wishes company. The woman in who found her lost piece of money called in her women friends and said: "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost." So the shepherd who found the one lost sheep said to his friends: "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost" So the father says: "Make merry, for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:6, 9, 20-24). The child all aglow with his Christmas toys wishes other children to come and share his joys. "And in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me." Play up to your part of the joy. Plutarch tells of the messenger from Marathon who expired on the first threshold in Athens with these words on his lips: "Rejoice and we rejoice." Nowhere in the Epistle is Paul so insistent about joy as here. The Christian is rich in his joy in Christ. What joy it will be in heaven to tell the story of the triumph of Christ over sin in your life and in mine. ( Isaiah 61:10; Job 33:26; Romans 14:17)

2011-11-26T03:57:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 3 Verses 9, 11
9 For if the ministry of condemnation wasglorious, much more doth the ministration ofrighteousness exceed in glory.11 For if that they should be abolished, wasglorious, much more shall that which remaineth beglorious.
Related Scripture
Romans 1:16-19; Romans 3:19-25; Romans 9:30; Acts 15:5-19;
Suggested additional reading Galatians 3

2011-11-24T05:59:00.000-08:00

46 For in the days of David and Asaph, of old werechief singers, and songs of praise and thanksgivingunto God.Nehemiah 12:46

2011-11-23T05:15:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 3 Verses 3, 6
3 In that ye are manifest, to be the Epistle ofChrist, ministered by us, and written, not with ink,but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tablesof stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.6 Who also hath made us able ministers of theNew Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit:for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
Editor’s thought - The OT was of the law, that is to say it was a guide unto the coming of the promise made by God to raise up a redeemer; Jesus Christ, and from thereon the NT would be known by all peoples, as it was written on one’s heart, and one would know what was right and wrong instinctively.
Related Scripture
Psalm 40:3; Psalm 51:10; Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 33:14-15; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:16-17; Hebrews 12:24;
Suggested additional reading Hebrews 8

2011-11-22T04:27:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians Chapter 2 Verses 14-16
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always makethus to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest thesavor of his knowledge by us in every place.15 For we are unto God the sweet savor of Christ,in them that are saved, and in them which perish.16 To the one we are the savor of death, unto death,and to the other the savor of life, unto life: and whois sufficient for these things?
Related Scripture
Genesis 8:21; 1 Corinthians 1:18-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6, 14; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Philippians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Luke 2:26-34; Luke 12:4-5;
Suggested additional reading for today Acts 17 and 2 Peter 2

2011-11-21T05:04:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 2 Verses 7, 10 (a)
7 So that now contrariwise ye ought rather toforgive him, and comfort him, lest the same shouldbe swallowed up with overmuch heaviness.10 To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: forverily if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, foryour sakes forgave I it in the sight of Christ,

(a) Editor’s thought - I once had a pastor who said something along these lines; that anger, leads to non-forgiveness and non-forgiveness leads to hatred. It is likened to drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Yesterday, my pastor spoke on forgiveness, and he also had some wonderful insight. ( btw, I had just read these verses the day before and was mulling over it’s meanings and how it related to me), He said that when one does not forgive it is like being a jailer. Yes the offender is behind bars, but the jailer must sit outside the cell day in, day out to be certain he stays there in his punishment. So who then is really free? Neither, for the offender is saddled with one’s debt, the burden of committing offense, and the recipient of that offense is also in bondage, making sure that the former is never set free of guilt, and is ever reminded. Forgiveness sets both of them free. Let us be, as the Psalmist has said; Slow to anger and quick to forgive.
Related Scripture
Psalm 37:8; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:22; Joel 2:13; Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4; 1 John 1:9;

Suggested additional study/reading for today Matthew 18 and to think on the below. If I might be allowed to step outside of God’s Word for moment;

The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. But mercy is above this sceptered sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute of God himself; And earthly power doth then show like God's When mercy seasons justice.Therefore;Though justice be thy plea, consider this:That in the course of justice none of usShould see salvation. We do pray for mercy,And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.
William Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venice - Act IV Scene I

2011-11-19T05:12:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter 1 Verse 22
22 Who hath also sealed us, and hath given theearnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (a)
(a) Editor’s note - From the notations of the Geneva Bible Translation - “An earnest, is, whatsoever is given to confirm a promise.” That promise is of course would be the bringing forth of a Saviour who would redeem us from sin and death, and reconcile us to God the Father. Hence as we read the verses linked below in The Book of Isaiah Chapter 7. I would think then that an earnest is a sign.
Related Scripture
Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 7:14-16; John 6:30-37; Ephesians 1:13;

2011-11-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians Chapter 1 Verses 9-10
9 Yea, we received the sentence of death in ourselves,because we should not rest in ourselves, butin God, which raised the dead.10 Who delivered us from so great a death, anddoth deliver us: in whom we trust, that yet hereafterhe will deliver us.
Related Scripture
Jeremiah 17:5-8; Proverbs 3:5; Psalm 146:3; Isaiah 30:1-2; Isaiah 31:1-3; 2 Peter 2:9; Psalm 118:8-9; Psalm 20:7;
Suggested additional reading Psalm 34

2011-11-17T04:38:00.001-08:00

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the CorinthiansChapter One Verses 3-5
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our LordJesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God ofall comfort,4 Which comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which are inany affliction by the comfort wherewith we ourselvesare comforted of God.5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,so our consolation aboundeth through Christ.
Related Scripture
Ephesians. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3; Psalm 66:8, 20; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 66:13; Psalm 94:19; 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 13; John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7; Psalm 3419; Acts 9:4; 2 Corinthians 4:10; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24; Hebrews 2:9;

2011-11-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 42 Verses 5-6, 10
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear,but now mine eye seeth thee.6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dustand ashes.10 Then the Lord turned the captivity (a) of Job,when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gaveJob twice so much as he had before.
(a) Editor’s note - He removed the afflictions that had come upon Job, in which Job had been held captive.
Related Scripture
Job 26:14; Romans 10:17; Luke 4:4; Revelation 3:20; Isaiah 28:22-23. 26; Ezra 9:6; Daniel 9:8; Luke 13:3; Proverbs 28:13; Deuteronomy 30:3; Psalm 14:7; Psalm 85:1-3; Psalm 126:1 Isaiah 40:1-2; Psalm 23:3-5; 1 John 1:9;

2011-11-15T04:19:00.001-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 42 Verses 2-3
2 I know that thou canst do all things, and thatthere is no thought hid from thee.3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?therefore have I spoken that I understoodnot, even things too wonderful for me, and whichI knew not
Related Scripture
Genesis 18:14; Isaiah 59:1; Matthew 19:26; Mark 14:36; Psalm 40:5; Psalm 139:17; Romans 11:33-36; Isaiah 55:7-11;
Suggested additional reading for today Psalm 66, Psalm 68, Isaiah 55

2011-11-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Book of JobChapters 40-41
On Saturday my study included two chapters of the Book of Job, wherein God chastises Job. Today’s study likewise is two chapters long. Herein God asks of Job, who is like He, that is to say who is likened or can compare themselves unto God.
Provided Link
Job 40
1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 41
1Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

2011-11-13T04:38:00.000-08:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Five)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in mine absence, so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and
rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Paul's Sacrifice (verse 17)

"Yea, though I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith," Paul adds. He will not shrink from death in order to be of service to them and to help them in their efforts to press on in the Christian life. He hopes to live, but he stands in the constant presence of death, and he is not afraid. He had faced death at Philippi and often since. It will come some day. He is ready now. It is not his apostolic office, but his very life that he offers. (2 Timothy 4:6; 2 Peter 1:14;)The picture here is of their faith in the sense of their Christian life as a sacrifice and priestly service. The Philippians as priests lay down upon the altar their Christian lives (faith and fidelity). Upon' this Paul is ready to pour out his own life as an additional sacrifice in their service. (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16;) It is not necessary to press the point whether Paul has in mind the Jewish custom of pouring the drink offering around the altar or the heathen of pouring the libation upon the altar. The latter would be more familiar to the Philippians but the point holds good in either case. Paul is willing to spend and be spent in the service of the Philippians ( 2 Corinthians 12:15; 2 Timothy 2:10;). One thinks of the student volunteers who offer their lives for mission service, and thusly doing what is commanded to us by Christ, that is to say make disciples of all mankind. (Matthew 28:19;)

2011-11-12T03:28:00.000-08:00

The Book of JobChapters 38 and 39.
Today’s study is rather lengthy, but it will take us to Monday’s study. For herein God chastises Job, but does so within in the framework of correction as He reveals his Omnipotence to Job. Take your time and pause as you read to reflect on what God is saying to us.
Provided link

2011-11-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

The Book of Job Chapter 37 Verses 23-24
23 It is the Almighty: we cannot find him out: heis excellent in power and judgment, and abundantin justice: he afflicteth not.24 Let men therefore fear him: for he will notregard any that are wise in their own conceit.
Related Scripture
Job 11:7-8; Romans 11:33-34; 1 Timothy 6:16; Job 9:4; Job 36:5; Psalm 89:22; Zephaniah 3:19; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 1:19-21, 25; Job 5:12-13;
Suggested Additional reading for today Lamentations 3

2011-11-10T03:42:00.001-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 37 Verse 7
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
Related Scripture
Psalm 109:27; 1 John 2:3; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 40:21-22; Romans 1:19;

2011-11-09T04:46:00.001-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 36 Verse 24-25Chapter 37 Verses 5, 14
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, whichmen behold.25 All men see it, and men behold it afar off.
5 God thundereth marvelously with his voice:he worketh great things, which we know not.14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand and considerthe wondrous works of God.
Related Scripture
Psalm 92:5; Revelations 15:3; Psalm 69:30; Psalm 99:5, 9; Hebrews 11:3; 1 Samuel 12:24; Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 143:5; Psalm 77:11-14;
Suggested additional reading Psalm 111

2011-11-08T16:33:00.001-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 36 Verses 22-23
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: what teacheris like him?23 Who hath appointed to him his way? or whocan say, Thou hast done wickedly?
Related Scripture
Psalm 46:10; Psalm 62:11; Psalm 150:1; Jeremiah 32:17; Job 34:13; Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3;

2011-11-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Book of JobChapter 36 Verse 21
21 Take thou heed: look not to iniquity: for thouhast chosen it rather than affliction.
Related Scripture
Psalm 31:6; Psalm 66:18; Job 31:3; Job 34:8; Psalm 5:5; Psalm 37:1; Psalm 1:1; Luke 13:27; Hebrews 11:25; Psalm 34:19; Acts 7:9-10; 2 Corinthians 6:2-7; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 10:32-33; 1 Peter 5:9; Romans 14:18; 2 Timothy 2:15

2011-11-06T06:52:00.001-08:00

The Sunday Sermon

2011-11-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Four)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now much more in mine absence, so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

Paul's Pride (verse 16)

"For a ground of glorying in the day of Christ." This clause is related to all of verse 15 and the preceding part of 16. The day of accounts comes to figure more largely in Paul's mind as he grows older. The writer of Hebrews (a) speaks of the sleepless watch of the shepherds of souls "as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief; for this were unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17; Luke 17:7-10;) Paul longs' to have "whereof to glory" in the day of Christ. The success of the Philippians will give Paul something tangible to present to Christ. They will be stars in his crown. He means by "day of Christ" the judgment day, commonly termed the day of the Lord outside of this Epistle. Paul does not wish to be saved "so as by fire" with all his works gone. (I Corinthians 3:15) When that day comes and Paul looks back upon his work in Philippi, he does wish to feel "that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain." He has the metaphor of the stadium before him as in Galatians 2:2 (Philippians 2:16;) when he expresses the same dread about the Galatians. He does not wish it all to come to nothingness. The word for labor here means the weariness of labor. Toil and sweat and weariness were all for naught. It is a pitiful case when the preacher has to see the people go back to the flesh-pots of Egypt and leave his work null and void. The Philippians will be Paul's jewels in the presence of Christ as the mother of the Gracchi boasted of her boys.

(a) Editor’s Note - Many Biblical scholars think that The Epistle to the Hebrews was written by Paul the Apostle, but, there is no conclusive proof. However, Paul, being the expert on Jewish Law that he was prior to his conversion on the Road to Damascus, and the fact that the usage of similar words, analogies, and styling would indicate that it is highly probable that at the very least he had a hand in writing this chapter.

2011-11-05T06:39:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 36 Verses 11-12

11 If they obey and serve him, they shall end

their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures:

12 But if they will not obey, they shall pass by the

sword and perish without knowledge.

Related Scripture

Isaiah 1:16-20; Deuteronomy 29:9; Joshua 1:7; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 2 Chronicles 24:20; Proverbs 28:13; Joshua 23:16; Job 8:13; Isaiah 60:12; Luke 13:3-5; 2 Peter 2:12;

Suggested additional reading Hosea 4; Leviticus 26;

2011-11-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 36 Verses 9-10

9 Then will he show them their work and their

sins, because they have been proud.

10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and

commandeth them that they return from iniquity.

Related Scripture

1 Kings 8:49-52; Psalm 25:7; Psalm 32:5; Psalm 39:8; Psalm 51:3; Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 59:12; Ezekiel 18:22, 28; Hebrews 9:15; Psalm 119:78; Psalm 49:4; Psalm 78:1; Proverbs 4:20, 27; Job 22:23; Jeremiah 36:3; Job 11:14; Jeremiah 18:8; Jeremiah 26:3; Ezekiel 33:11; Daniel 9:13; Jonah 3:8; Zechariah 1:4;

2011-11-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 36 Verses 2-3

2 Suffer me a little and I will instruct thee: for I

have yet to speak on God’s behalf.

3 I will fetch my knowledge afar off, and will

attribute righteousness unto my maker.

Related Scripture

Exodus 35:31; Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 51:16; Jeremiah 1:4-9; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Kings 3:28; 1 Kings 4:29; 1 Chronicles 22:12; 2 Chronicles1:11; Ezra 7:25; Job 11:6; Daniel 2:20; Luke 2:40; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:20-26; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:10; James 1:5;

2011-11-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 36 Verse 7

7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous,

but they are with kings in the throne, where

he placeth them forever: thus they are exalted. (a)

Editor’s Note - From the notations in the Geneva Bible translation; He preferreth the godly to honor.

Related Scripture

Psalm 33:18; Psalm 34:15; Psalm 75:10; Psalm 113:8; Luke 22:30; Matthew 23:12; James 1:9;

2011-11-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 36 Verses 5-6

5 Behold, the mighty God casteth away none

that is mighty and valiant of courage.

6 He maintaineth not the wicked, but he giveth

judgment to the afflicted

Related Scripture

Job 8:20; Luke 9:25; Romans 11:1; Psalm 51:11; Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 6:15; 2 Corinthians 4:9; Psalm 37:34-39; Job 5:11-15;

The Sunday Sermon

2011-10-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Three)

by Archibald T. Robertson

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but nowmuch more in mine absence,so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,

15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as blights in the world,

16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in

vain, neither have labored in vain.

17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Perfection in the Midst of Imperfection (verses 15-16)

Paul here expresses his purpose about the Philippians. It is a double purpose, their own highest development and the greatest service to others. The first is a prerequisite to the other, though they can- not be wholly separated. They are to become "blameless and harmless." They are not so in the state of nature and do not easily become so in a state of grace. Certainly none are absolutely free from blame in the eye of God and men can usually find some fault with most of us. But, at any rate, we can give men as little ground as possible to pick flaws in our character. Whimsical critics cannot be satisfied, but we do have to regard the sober judgment of God's people in ethical matters. takes "harmless" to refer to the intrinsic character as in Matthew 10:16 "harmless as doves." The word means literally "unmixed" or "unadulterated" like pure milk or pure wine or unalloyed metal.

In Romans 16:19 Paul says; "I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil," a noble motto for young and old. It is a great mistake to feel that one must know evil by experience in order to appreciate good. An unsullied character a man wants in his wife and the wife equally so in her husband. It is this sheer simplicity of character that is so delightful in children and, par excellence in the "children of God" in the full spiritual import of this term. The children of Israel, when they murmured, were not acting like children of God. Paul here quotes Deuteronomy 32:5 and applies it to the Philippians. The children of Israel were full of blemish, while the Philippians are to be "without blemish" (Ephesians5:27) like the freewill offering (Leviticus. 22:21). The Israelites had themselves become " a crooked and perverse generation." (Matthew 17:17) But the Philippians must not fall to that low level, as they will if they give way to inward discontent. They must exhibit marks of perfection "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation." It is an indocile or froward and

so "crooked" (Acts 2:40; I Peter 2:18) generation. The word was used of crooked paths (Luke 3:5) and so of crooked steps and crooked ways. The word "perverse"' means twisted or distorted and is a bolder word like the Scotch '"thrawn" with a twist in the inner nature of mankind. Surely our own generation is not without its moral twist and means many straight men when so many are crooked ("crooks"), twisted out of shape.

Paul changes his figure, but goes on with the same idea, "among whom ye are seen as lights in the world." These are the very people, the twisted and blinded by the darkness of sin, ( John 12:40; Romans 11:7; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:11)who need the light. Jesus is the real light of the world (John 8:12), but the followers of Christ also pass on the torch and so bear light to others (Matthew 5 : 14). Here the Philippians are pictured as " luminaries " ^ rather than as lights in the world of darkness. As the moon and the stars "appear" in the night, so the Christians come out to give light in the darkness. In the dark night of sin the church of Philippi is a lighthouse in the breakers ( Luke 8:16), "holding forth the word of life." The gospel has the principle of life in it John's Gospel unites light and life as descriptive of the Logos (John 1:4) and Christ offers to men "the light of life " (John 8:12). Paul naturally blends the two figures here. One may rightly call it "hypercritical" to change the figure in "holding forth. It is common to personify a luminary as a light-bearer." The figure can be either holding on to the word of life or presenting the word of life. In this latter sense one naturally thinks of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, holding forth the torch of freedom. Every church is a lighthouse in a dark place. The darker the place the more the light is needed. It is sad to see so many churches deserting the downtown districts where they are so much needed. Rescue work must be carried on where sin has done its worst. It is like fighting the plague. Thank God for the men and women who do take the light into the dark corners of our cities.

2011-10-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 34 Verses 23-27

23 For he will not lay on man so much, that he

should enter into judgment with God.

24 He shall break the mighty without seeking,

and shall set up others in their stead.

25 Therefore shall he declare their works: he shall

turn the night, and they shall be destroyed.

26 He striketh them as wicked men in the places

of the seers,

27 Because they have turned back from him, and

would not consider all his ways:

Related Scripture

Jeremiah 12:1; Job 9:3; Ecclesiastes 6:10; Job 17:6; Psalm 109:25, Psalm 44:13; Psalm 10:15; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalm 28:5; Isaiah 5:12; Deuteronomy 9:13; Acts 7:51; Psalm 53:1,3; Psalm 14:3

Suggested additional reading for today Deuteronomy 28

2011-10-28T04:55:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 34 verses 14-15

14 If he set his heart upon man, and gather unto

himself his spirit and his breath,

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall

return unto dust

Related Scripture

Job 12:10; Psalm 104:29-30; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Genesis 2:7;

Suggested additional reading for today - Psalm 104

2011-10-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 34 Verses 10-12, 31-33 (a)

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of wisdom,

God forbid that wickedness should be in God, and

iniquity in the Almighty.

11 For he will render unto man according to his

work, and cause everyone to find according to his

way.

12 And certainly God will not do wickedly, neither

will the Almighty pervert judgment.

31 Surely it appertaineth unto God to say, I have

pardoned, I will not destroy.

32 But if I see not, teach thou me: if I have done

wickedly, I will do no more.

33 Will he perform the thing through thee? for

thou hast reproved it, because that thou hast chosen,

and not I: now speak what thou knowest.

Related Scripture

Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 8:3; Job 36:23; Psalm 92:15; Romans 9:14; Job 34:25; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 20:23; Matthew 25:32-33; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12; Acts 10:34; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:108; Isaiah 30:20-22; Psalm 7:3-4; Lamentation 3:26;

(a) Editor’s notation - As many of you know I use the Geneva Bible Translation. However sometimes it is a bit difficult to completely understand. So today I am including a link wherein one might find an easier translation of today’s study

2011-10-26T03:51:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 34 Verses 2-4

2 Hear my words, ye wise men, and hearken

unto me ye that have knowledge.

3 For the ear trieth the words, as the mouth

tasteth meat.

4 Let us seek judgment among us, and let us

know among ourselves what is good.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 13:20; Ecclesiastes 9:17; 1 Corinthians 10:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 34:1; Mark 7:16; Luke 11:28; Matthew 4:4; Micah 6:8; Psalm 34:11-15; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8;

2011-10-25T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 33 Verses 29-30

29 Lo, all these things will God work twice or

thrice with a man,

30 That he may turn back his soul from the pit,

to be illuminated in the light of the living.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 24:16-17; Psalm 34:19; Psalm 37:24; Micah 7:8-9; Isaiah 51:4; Acts 13:47; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Peter 1:9; Psalm 56:13; Psalm 116:8-9; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:13; Psalm 142:5;

2011-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 33 Verses 27-28

27 He looketh upon men, and if one say, I have

sinned, and perverted righteousness, and it did not

profit me,

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the

pit, and his life shall see the light.

Related Scripture

2 Samuel 12:13; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 15:21; 1 John 1:9; Romans 6:21; 1 Chronicles 21:8; Matthew 16:26; 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:9; Jeremiah 2:11; Psalm 39:8; Romans 7:24; Psalm 30:3; Psalm 143:7; Psalm 28:1; Psalm 40:2;

Sums it up Nicely

2011-10-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Sermon

2011-10-23T05:01:00.001-07:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Two)

by Archibald T. Robertson Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Two)

by Archibald T. Robertson

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always

obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now

much more in mine absence, so make an end of

your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both the

will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without amurmuring and reasonings,

15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and

the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of

a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye

shine as blights in the world,

16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may

rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in

vain, neither have labored in vain.

17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the

sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and

rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice

with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Cheerfulness Under Orders (verse 14)

Having committed our lives to the control of God's will we are under orders. It is un-military and peevish to fret at God's commands. "Do all things without murmuring." The allusion may be to the conduct of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:7; Numbers 16:5,10). The Israelites murmured bitterly against Moses and against God repeatedly and with dire results. " Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured and perished by the destroyer" (l Corinthians 10:10). These inward murmurings against God's will would easily turn to grumblings towards each other. (James 5:9; Titus 3:2l; Psalm 52:1-4;)People do not usually stop with resentment against God, but wish to blame somebody. Disunion (1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10;) had already manifested itself in the church at Philippi. If God is supreme and does all things why did He allow this thing to happen? It is easier to ask than to answer that question.

The next step is to become sour towards one another. "Without disputing." (Acts 15:6-10;) This word is used for questionings, then doubting, then disputing. This is the usual course of our intellectual revolt against God. Probably the moral revolt (murmurings) comes first. The skeptical spirit follows resentment against some crossing of our will by God's will. The final result is "intellectual rebellion." Thoughts of hesitation or doubt turn to distrust. Distrust ripens into open disputes when a public stand is taken with others against God Doubt leads to dispute even over trifles. So then, as good soldiers, Christians are to carry out the orders of the Captain of their salvation. Explanations, if they come at all, come after obedience, not before.

The Sunday Sermon

2011-10-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

2011-10-22T15:17:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 33 Verse 26

26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable

unto him, and he shall see his face with joy: for he

will render unto man his righteousness.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 24:12; Romans 2:6; 1 Kings 8:26; Proverbs 23:24; Job 22:26; Isaiah 58:14;

2011-10-21T04:16:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 33 Verses 8-16

8 Doubtless thou hast spoken in mine ears, and

I have heard the voice of thy words.

9 I am clean, without sin: I am innocent and

there is none iniquity in me.

10 Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and

counted me for his enemy.

11 He hath put my feet in the stocks, and looketh

narrowly unto all my paths.

12 Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will

answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he doth

not give account of all his matters.

14 For God speaketh once or twice, and one seeth

it not.

15 In dreams and visions of the night, when sleep

falleth upon men, and they sleep upon their beds,

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, even by their

corrections, which he had sealed,

Editor’s thought - In the above God, through the mouth and voice of Eilhu, verbally begins to chastise Job. I am reminded here of my late mother, who would often say “so you think you know better?”. Who among us has not had a parent that lovingly took the time to speak to us, and while sometimes the words were harsh, they were never demeaning, but were spoken to our benefit, by one who had traveled upon a road we were just beginning to tread.

Related Scripture

Isaiah 45:9; Psalm 62:11; Daniel 1:17; Acts 2:17; Psalm 94:9; Proverbs 15:31; Isaiah 51:4; Jeremiah 13:15; Job 5:17; Psalm 39: 11 Psalm 94:10; Psalm 29:17; Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 10:24; Jeremiah 46:28; Mark 4:9; Revelation 13:9;

2011-10-20T04:04:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 33 Verses 5-6

5 If thou canst give me answer, prepare thyself

and stand before me.

6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s

stead: I am also formed of the clay. (a)

(a) Editor’s Note - Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God, (Job 16:21), so that he might do it without fear, Elihu states , he will reason in God’s stead, whom he need not fear, because Ehihu is a man as is Job

Related scripture

Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy 18:18; Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 8:8; Jeremiah 1:9; Jeremiah 15:19; Jeremiah 36:6;

Founding Fathers

2011-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

"The construction applied ... to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power ... ought not to be construed as themselves to give unlimited powers, nor a part to be so taken as to destroy the whole residue of that instrument."

–Thomas Jefferson, Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798

2011-10-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 32 Verses 21-22

21 I will not now accept the person of man, neither

will I give titles to man. (a)

22 For I may not give titles, lest my Maker should

take me away suddenly.

(a) Editor’s note - Elihu will neither have regard to riches, credit, nor authority, but

will speak the very truth

Related Scriptures

1 Timothy 2:7; Zechariah 8:16; Acts 10:34; Job 13:10; Proverbs 18:5; 1 Timothy 5:21;

2011-10-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapter 32 verse 18, 20

18 For I am full of matter, and the spirit within

me compelleth me. (a)

20 Therefore will I speak, that I may take breath:

I will open my lips, and will answer.

Related Scripture

Psalm 51:10-13; Isaiah 26:9; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Matthew 10:18-19; Titus 2:15; Luke 4:32, 36; Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22, 27; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19; Matthew 8:5-13; John 5:27;

(a) Suggested additional reading for today - Psalm 51:1-19

2011-10-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part One)

by Archibald T. Robertson

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always

obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now

much more in mine absence, so make an end of

your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both the

will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without amurmuring and reasonings,

15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and

the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of

a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye

shine as blights in the world,

16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may

rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in

vain, neither have labored in vain.

17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the

sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and

rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice

with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

PAUL is eminently practical as well as really profound. He is equally at home in the discussion of the great problems of theology and in the details of the Christian life. He is a practical mystic who does not leave his mysticism in the clouds, but applies it to the problem in hand. There is in Paul no divorce between learning and life. Speculative theology as philosophy he knows and uses as a servant to convey his highest ideas, but he never forgets the ethics of the man in the street or at the desk. He has just written a marvelous passage on the Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ Jesus, scaling the heights of Christ's equality with God and sounding the depths of the human experience of Jesus, from the throne of God to the death on the Cross and back again. But Paul has no idea of leaving this great doctrinal passage thus. "So then, my beloved," he goes on with an exhortation based on the experience of Christ. He returns to the whole lump. There are men and women in our churches who remain true when pastors come and go and when others fall away.

Working In and Working Out

(verses 12-13)

In Paul's absence he desires that the Philippians shall press right on with the work of their own salvation in so far as the development is committed to their hands. The eye should rest upon the final goal and so Paul uses a verb that puts the emphasis on the final result. Salvation is used either of the entrance into the service of God, the whole process, or the consummation at the end. The Philippians are to carry into effect and carry on to the end the work of grace already begun. Peter (2 Peter 1:10) likewise exhorted his readers to make their calling and election sure. They must not look to Paul to do their part in the work of their salvation. His absence cuts no figure in the matter of their personal responsibility. It is "your own' salvation.” It is the aim of all to win this goal at last. (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 1 Timothy 6:12;) If so, each must look to his own task and do his own work. The social aspect of religion is true beyond a doubt. We are our brother's keeper and we do owe a debt of love and service to one another that we can never fully discharge (Romans 13:8). But it is also true that each of us is his own keeper and stands or falls to God. Kipling has it thus: For the race is run by one and one and never by two and two."

Work it out "with fear and trembling," Paul urges; "with a nervous and trembling anxiety to do right" ( 2 Corinthians 7:15; Psalm 2:11;). People today do not tremble much in the presence of God and most have little sense of fear. (Psalm 94:7-11; Jeremiah 2:19; Psalm 53:1;) Jonathan Edwards' great sermon on "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" finds little echo today. We live in a light-hearted and complacent age. The Puritans went too far to one extreme, but we are going too much to the other. We all need afresh a sense of solemn responsibility to Almighty God. Paul did not feel blindly complacent about himself (1 Corinthians 9:27). Religion is both life and creed. The creed without the life amounts to little. We touch a hard problem here, to be sure, but Paul feels no incompatibility between the most genuine trust and the most energetic work. The two supplement or rather complement each other, though we cannot divide them. Divine sovereignty is the fundamental fact in religion with Paul. He starts with that. But human free agency is the inevitable corollary, as Paul sees it. The two are not inconsistent in his theology. Hence Paul is not a fatalist like the Essenes and the modern Hyper-Calvinists nor is he a mere Socinian like the Sadducees.

The Pharisees held to both divine sovereignty and human free agency as most modern Christians do in varying degrees, to be sure. Paul seems to see no contradiction between them as Jesus did not. All our modern efforts to explain the harmony between these two necessary doctrines fail, but we must hold them both true nevertheless. God must be supreme to be God at all. Man must be free to be man at all. The difficulty probably lies in our imperfect processes of reasoning for two such far-reaching truths. But Paul gives the divine sovereignty as the reason or ground for the human free agency. He exhorts the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling precisely because God works in them both the willing and the doing and for His good pleasure. ( Luke 12:32; Ephesians 1:5; 9;)We can at least feel that the working of God's will has provided the whole plan of salvation in which we are included and at which we are at work. We toil in the sphere of God's will. But far more is true than that, though we are conscious also that our own wills have free play in this sphere. God presses His will upon ours. (Matthew 11:30)We feel the impact of the divine energy upon our wills which are quickened into activity thereby.

A child can grasp this, and rest upon it. A boy of four said joyfully to his mother, "When we do anything, it's really God doing it." So then in one sense God does it all. God is the one who energizes in you both the impulse and the energy to carry out the impulse. No one knows what energy is. It is the scientific name for God. It is ceaseless as the sea, restless as the rapids of Niagara. One of the theories of matter is that all matter is in a vortex of inconceivable velocity, whirling round and round these bombarding electrons. What makes them whirl so? The particles of radium can be seen darting violently into space. We were dead in trespasses and sins till God's Spirit touched us and we leaped to life in Christ This is the mystery of grace. They that are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7). God plants in our souls the germ of spiritual life and He does not let it die. His Spirit broods over us and energizes us to grow and work out what God has worked in us.

This is the ground of hope and joy that makes Romans 8 so different from Romans 7. We are in league with God. God's grace is not an excuse for doing nothing. It is rather the reason for doing all. In religion as in nature we are co-workers with God. We plant the seed and plan the plant and hoe it and harvest it. But God gave us the seed and the soil and sends the rain and the sunshine and supplies that wondrous thing that we call life and makes it grow to perfection. "God has more life than anybody," said a child. It is idle to split hairs over our part and God's part. We must respond to the touch of God's Spirit else we remain dead in sin. Jesus is the author and the finisher of faith (Hebrews. 12: 2), of our faith, but we must believe all the same and keep on looking to Him, the goal of faith and endeavor. There is no higher standard of rectitude than God's good pleasure by which He regulates our lives. Happy is the man who finds God's plan for his life and falls in with it. ( Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 28:14; )

Creation

2011-10-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying;

"God does not play dice with the universe."

Herein is an interesting link on the subject.

I recall a time, when science was used to discover and unravel the mysteries of God's creations. He, IMHO, allowed such work to go forth to help us understand Him better and to understand how He IS indeed creator.

Now, many use science to try to disprove the Word, yet I find that God always seems to confound them, and prove them inaccurate, or just plain, flat out wrong.

18 Let no man deceive himself: If any man among
you seem to be wise in this world, let him be a fool,
that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
with God: for it is written, He catcheth the wise
in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth that the thoughts
of the wise be vain.
21 Therefore let no man rejoice in men: for all
things are yours.

1 Corinthians 3:18-21

2011-10-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Brethren in Christ;

Yesterday, I shared a rather long study. As noted, I said it would provide insight into todays study. So far we have read the words of Job and his friends. Job defended his own ways sounding all the while like the self-righteous man defending his self-righteousness. Likewise his friends felt that he had somewhere sinned thereby incurring the wrath of God. Neither Job, or his friends were seeing his travails that is to say Job’s, through the eyes of God. Herein then we pick up the study, where Elihu, begins to speak his thoughts that are inspired by the Wisdom that is God.

The Book of Job

Chapter 32 Verses 1-10

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job

because he esteemed himself just.

2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel

the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled: his

wrath, I say, was kindled against Job, because he

justified himself more than God.

3 Also his anger was kindled against his three

friends, because they could not find an answer, and

yet condemned Job.

4 (Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken:

for 1they were more ancient in years than he.)

5 So when Elihu saw, that there was none answer

in the mouth of the three men, his wrath was

kindled.

6 Therefore Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite

answered and said, I am young in years, and ye are

ancient: therefore I doubted, and was afraid to show

you mine opinion.

7 For I said, The days shall speak, and the multitude

of years shall teach wisdom.

8 Surely there is a spirit in man, but the inspiration

of the Almighty giveth understanding.

9 Great men are not always wise, neither do the

aged always understand judgment.

10 Therefore I say, Hear me and I will show also

mine opinion.

Related Scripture

Genesis 2:7; 1 Kings 3:9-12; 1 Kings 4:29-30; Proverbs 2:5-10; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21-23; Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 16:17; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 2:10; James 1:5; James 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 1:25-26, 29;

Time for ALL to Give Back Something to society.

2011-10-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Spot on!

First, let me preface my comment by saying I am NOT without compassion. There are those in our nation who are need of assistance through no fault of their own. They are either truly physically or mentally unable to provide for their own needs. Most have family that can and do help, but, sometimes it is not enough for people such as these, I have no problems with tax dollars aiding them in their lives. Now onward...

For the last several years all we hear are slogans such make the wealthy pay more, time for the wealthy to give back. Question number one, what have they taken? Many, whom the neomarxists consider wealthy, are just small businesses that employ maybe 10-50 people max. Again what have they taken from society? Nothing that I can see, what they have done is created jobs. Some are very well paying ones, others, not, but jobs are what have been given back to society. Additionally, it amazes me that these same leftists clamor for higher taxes on the job creators. Guess whose going to suffer, probably some of the employees that will either be reduced in hours, or let go, in order to meet the new increase in said taxes. The prime aspect of capitalism is the fact that one enter’s into business to not only make a living, but to make a profitable one, and by extension, giving other’s the opportunity to likewise earn a paycheck. Without profit, there are NO paychecks. The neomarxists fail to realize that most important point. Less profit, more for the employees is their mantra, or as they are wont to say, people before profit. Again I repeat, NO PROFITS, NO PAYCHECKS, NO PEOPLE EMPLOYED.

Moving right along, contrast this with those that have made a career out of living on public assistance. What exactly do THEY give back to society? Since we’re all being told that we need to sacrifice, we need to tighten our belts, should this not include them as well as every other person in this nation? From what I have personally witnessed in my life, it seems they have much idle time, nice bling-bling jewelery, seem to be well fed, wear better clothing than I can afford, and basically, have all of the most updated forms of technology. Have they earned it? Did they get calluses on their hands, come home sweaty and tired? Have they had to take work home and spend less time with their family, in order to meet deadlines.? Have they ever been truly stressed wondering from one day to the next about a major job going forth, a project needing completion, about how and where the money for their expenses are going to be made and if there will be enough to get it done? Have they ever had to budget? Again from what I have seen in life, the answer would be a resounding no!

So herein is my suggestion. Put them to work, doing things such as helping out in homeless shelters, cleaning public restrooms, assisting in making sure the streets are clean, working in school cafeterias. Any menial job that comes along, they should be made to do in assisting the public good. It is time for the parasitic career welfare recipients to be made to give something back to society.

2011-10-14T05:37:00.001-07:00

The Book of Job

Chapters 29-31

Dearest brethren in Christ;

Today’s study is a bit different, as it will guide us into tomorrow’s study. Please take the time to read all three chapters. A link has been provided that will enable all who wish to do so, to read the aforementioned chapters.