The Struggle

The True Struggle

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

EPHESIANS 6:12-13

In the book of Isaiah

“The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim,
he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon—
to do his work, his strange work,
and perform his task, his alien task.
Now stop your mocking,
or your chains will become heavier;
the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me
of the destruction decreed against the whole land.
Listen and hear my voice;
pay attention and hear what I say.

When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
When he has leveled the surface,
does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
barley in its plot,
and spelt in its field?
His God instructs him
and teaches him the right way.
Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,
nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin;
caraway is beaten out with a rod,
and cumin with a stick.
Grain must be ground to make bread;
so one does not go on threshing it forever.
The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it,
but one does not use horses to grind grain.
All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
whose plan is wonderful,
whose wisdom is magnificent.

ISAIAH 28:21-29

Trials and Temptations

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life…”


A Daily Bible Study of THE BOOK OF JAMES


Friday, November 1, 2024

JAMES 1:2-8

Trials and Temptations


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.


Sonship

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

ROMANS 8:14-17

Fruit of the Spirit

“Against such there is no law.”

No Law Against Kindness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. 
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:22-26

The Choice

It Is A Choice.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love,which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

Light of the World

Light a Lamp

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:14-16

Bread and Love

Manna

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that prodeedeth out of the mouth of God;”

MATTHEW 4:4

The Church is our Christian Family; however, The Temple– the structure of worship- is your body!

The Temple is not a stone building, but worship- True Worship,

True Love emits from the center of the Temple’s heart.

Two pillars of the church are Strength and Beauty. A third pillar of the church is Wisdom.

A strong Christian sees God’s beauty in all things and practices mercy even with those who do wrong. After all, it is God’s duty to punish; and we are forbidden from punishing others.

What is Love?

Defining Love

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8

Paul’s words

Paul tells us:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brethren, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14

Perfection in Thought

Eternal Judgement

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elemtary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgement.”

HEBREWS 6:1-2

Happy New Year

In the Book of Genesis:

“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.”

GENESIS 1:29

Words of John the Baptist

John shared Isaiah’s words with us:

 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

MATTHEW 3:3

Isaiah the Dark Messenger

Isaiah the Messenger

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

He said, “Go and tell this people:

Continue reading “Isaiah the Dark Messenger”

Keep From Idols

Dear Children, keep yourselves from idols!

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.

And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 JOHN 5:19-21

Listening but not Doing

As it says in the book of JAMES:

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.”

JAMES 1:23-25

Eye for Evil

“The ruthless will vanish,
the mockers will disappear,
And all who have an eye for evil will be cut down…”
-ISAIAH 29:20

“As when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still;
as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking,
but awakens fading and thirsty still.
So will it be with the hoarders of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.”

ISAIAH 29:8

Seven Deadly Sins

It says in the book of PROVERBS:

“There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:

1. haughty eyes,

2. a lying tongue,

3. hands that shed innocent blood,

4. a heart that devises wicked schemes,

5. feet that are quick to rush into evil,

6. a false witness who pours out lies

7. and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

PROVERBS 6:16-19

Read the entire chapter here:

Continue reading “Seven Deadly Sins”

The Poor, The Wealthy, Eyes of the Law

“Love your neighbor as yourself, …”

Poor and Wealthy

“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

JAMES 2:5-10

Moving On

When you forget your past, you drop your old cross.

Jesus then said to his disciples,
“If any man will follow me, let him forsake himself: and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

For what shall it profit a man though he should win the whole world, if he lose his own soul? or what shall a man give for recompense of his soul?”

MATTHEW 16:24-26

The Battle

Governors and Judges are the Princes of Darkness of this World

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places.”

EPHESIANS 6:12

Admonish One Another With All Wisdom

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

““Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Continue reading “Admonish One Another With All Wisdom”

Our Duty

It says in Leviticus:

“If any one sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity.”

LEVITICUS 5:1

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Wise Being

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

JAMES 3:13-18

Sanctuary in Your Heart

Build the Temple Within

“He said to them, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? 

For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and to his people. 

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. 

Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.”

1 CHRONICLES 22:18-19

Full Armor of God

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

EPHESIANS 6:12-17

Speak the Word

Feet Which Bring Good News

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

ROMANS 10:14-17

This is related to tomorrow’s post. Check back at 4:20 a.m. tomorrow!

His Authority

I am with you always.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

MATTHEW 28:18-20

Rid of Arrogance

Power, not Talk

“Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
But I will come to you very soon, … and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
What do you prefer? Shall I came to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?”

1 CORINTHIANS 4:18

Neighbor’s Wife

“So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;

no one who touches her will go unpunished.

People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

But a man who commits adultery has no sense;
whoever does so destroys himself.
Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never be wiped away.

For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.”

PROVERBS 6:29-35

Admonishment of Idlenness

Warning Against Idleness

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us.
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-14

A Parable

“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”

Shake with one hand; eat with both.

“He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

Leave them; they are blind guides.[a] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Matthew 15:13-20

Sew Faith Deeply

The farmer sows the word.

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown.

As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”

MARK 4:13-17

Good and Bad Fruit

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

By their fruit you will recognize them.

Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

MATTHEW 7:15-21
Continue reading “Good and Bad Fruit”

PSALM of David

“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.”

PSALM 15

King Hezekiah

Share the Light

“Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked,

“What did those men say, and where did they come from?”

“From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.”

The prophet asked,

“What did they see in your palace?”

“They saw everything in my palace,”

Hezekiah said.

“There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”

Isaiah 39:3-4

Comport Yourself Accrodingly

Life Worthy of the Gospel

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-28

David and the Philistines

The Philistines Search for King David

“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.

Continue reading “David and the Philistines”

David The Conqueror

David Conquers Jerusalem

“The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who l
ived there. The Jebusites said to David,

“You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.”

They thought, “David cannot get in here.”

Continue reading “David The Conqueror”

Overcome Evil with Good

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

ROMANS 12:19-21

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the merciful,
 for they will be shown mercy.”

The Beatitudes:

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

MATTHEW 5:15,14,16

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Continue reading “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”

Children of God

Spirit does not make us slaves.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

ROMANS 8:14-16

Your Converstion is Always with God

Your Conversation is always with God:

“Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.”

PSALMS 51:4

“Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.””

ROMANS 3:4

God’s Law In Your Heart

“I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

Where is God’s Law planted?

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

‘This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,’ says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”

HEBREWS 10:14-16

Isaiah the Dark Messenger

“Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitants, … though a tenth remain in the land…”

Isaiah the Messenger

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

He said, “Go and tell this people:

Continue reading “Isaiah the Dark Messenger”

Wives Love Your Husbands

“He who loves his wife loves himself.“

Husbands, Love Your Wives.

Book of EPHESIANS, CHAPTER FIVE:

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Continue reading “Wives Love Your Husbands”

Second Thessalonians, Book Two

2 THESSALONIANS, Chapter 2

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christand our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.

Continue reading “Second Thessalonians, Book Two”

Seventh Book of Proverbs

PROVERBS 7

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Continue reading “Seventh Book of Proverbs”

Fifth Book of Proverbs

PROVERBS Chapter 5

Warning Against Adultery

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Continue reading “Fifth Book of Proverbs”

Book of Proverbs

Chapter 3

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Continue reading “Book of Proverbs”

Proverbs Book Two

PROVERBS 2

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Continue reading “Proverbs Book Two”

Be Slow To Be Angry

Anger does not produce the righteousness which God desires.

When you close your Bible without application, you are not doing the inner work required to dwell in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“When we are fast to anger, we are misinterpreting what the Kingdom of God stands for.”

R. Cecil

Practice Grace and Mercy

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

JAMES 1:19-26

Lift Up Your Hands

“What you do with your physical body releases the angels or withdraws the angels.”

Pastor Richard Cecil

“Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

1TIMOTHY 2:8-10

Chaplains’ Actions

Any Chaplain is a Bishop, and this is how We should comport ourselves:

“This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthy work.
A Bishop therefore must be unreproveable, the husband of one wife, watching, temperate, modest, harborous, apt to teach,
Not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not covetous.

Continue reading “Chaplains’ Actions”

Be Humble, First

What is the Answer against Evil?

The answer, though the same as the problem, is to do nothing evil against evil. Retaliation, by nature, (altogether) is too late; the deed has been done.

To retaliate is to wage vengeance.

Chip Van Hassel

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”

ROMANS 12:17

January 7, 2024 Daily Verse

January 7, 2024

matthew 6:9-15

“Our Father
Which art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth
as it is
in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass upon us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the Kingdom
and the power
and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen”


Family of Faith

A Man Needs Three.

“A man need a three types of men in his life:

1. A Grandfather Figure to learn from,

2. An equal to share “Life Experiences,” with

3. and a Little Brother to teach and to guide.”

“… speaking of it in terms of a man’s Christian walk.
He needs mature Christian men to mentor him
He needs Christian brothers roughly the same age to walk with him through life.
He needs younger men to mentor.”

Doug Kindred

Firmament

“Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them;
    and there is nothing hid from its heat.”

God hath pitched a tent.

“… and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. …”

“… yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun, …”

PSALM 19:4
Continue reading “Firmament”

For the vision is for days yet to come.”

“… so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and came to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days.”

Said, Archangel, Michael

“How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.

And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.”

And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said,

“Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

DANIEL 10:13-30

Raphael: One of the seven holy angels

“Do not be afraid; you will be safe. But praise God for ever.”
-Archangel, Raphael

Said Raphael:

I will not conceal anything from you.
I have said, ‘It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God.’

Continue reading “Raphael: One of the seven holy angels”

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

“…Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”

The Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Continue reading “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”

Pressure Relief

“We bring The Bible with us from place to place, when always The Bible is inside our hearts.”

A Decision

To decide between taking a vacation for reading The Bible and getting closer to God or taking a vacation for experiencing a new life by getting closer to another person, is a decision few men have the opportunity to make.

What Defines the Intention of the Sojourn?

Continue reading “Pressure Relief”

Eye Gathered Countries

“… ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this,
and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
I plundered their treasures;
like a mighty one I subdued their kings.
As one reaches into a nest,
so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations;
as people gather abandoned eggs,
so I gathered all the countries;
not one flapped a wing,
or opened its mouth to chirp.’”
Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it,
or the saw boast against the one who uses it?
As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up,
or a club brandish the one who is not wood!’ …”

ISAIAH 10:13-15

Double Dipping

“Drink water from your own cistern,…”

“For the lips of the adulterous woman
drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.”

PROVERBS 5:3-6
Continue reading “Double Dipping”

Clothe Yourself Thusly

“since as members of one body 
you were called to peace. “

“…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another
if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, 
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body 
you were called to peace. 
And be thankful.
Let the message of Christ 
dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom 
through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts…”

COLLOSIANS 3:12-17

The Archer’s Bow

“Because of the Lord’s anger she will not be inhabited
    but will be completely desolate.
All who pass Babylon will be appalled;
    they will scoff because of all her wounds.
 ‘Take up your positions around Babylon,
    all you who draw the bow.
Shoot at her! Spare no arrows,
    for she has sinned against the Lord.
Shout against her on every side!
    She surrenders, her towers fall,
    her walls are torn down.
Since this is the vengeance of the Lord,
    take vengeance on her;
    do to her as she has done to others.
 Cut off from Babylon the sower,
    and the reaper with his sickle at harvest.
Because of the sword of the oppressor
    let everyone return to their own people,
    let everyone flee to their own land.'”

JERIMIAH 50:13-16

Why Pay the Court?

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:
Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

JAMES 2:5-6

God Chose Foolishness.

“But God chose the foolish things of the earth
to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world
to shame the strong.”

For the message of the cross
is flashness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved,
it is the power of God.
For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent
I will frustrate.’

The Apostle, Paul; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17-19
Continue reading “God Chose Foolishness.”

Encampment

“…soldiers will be silenced in that day…”

“Summon archers against Babylon,
    all those who draw the bow.
Encamp all around her;
    let no one escape.
Repay her for her deeds;
    do to her as she has done.

Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets;
    all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,”

JERIMIAH 50:29-30

Spare No Arrows

“Because of the Lord’s anger she will not be inhabited
    but will be completely desolate.
All who pass Babylon will be appalled;
    they will scoff because of all her wounds.
 ‘Take up your positions around Babylon,
    all you who draw the bow.

JERIMIAH 50:13
Continue reading “Spare No Arrows”

Abigail Riding Her Donkey

The end of Nabal

“Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran.

Continue reading “Abigail Riding Her Donkey”

You Are Safe With Me

“But one son of Ahimelek
son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, 
escaped and fled to join David. 
 He told David that Saul had killed the priests…
 Then David said to Abiathar,
“That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there,
I knew he would be sure to tell Saul.
I am responsible
for the death of your whole family.
 Stay with me; don’t be afraid.

The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too.
You will be safe with me.'”

1 SAMUEL 22:20-23

Hear My Voice

the wheel of a cart rolled over

“The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim,
    he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon—
to do his work, his strange work,
    and perform his task, his alien task.
22 Now stop your mocking,
    or your chains will become heavier;
the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me
    of the destruction decreed against the whole land.

ISAIAH 28:21-23
Continue reading “Hear My Voice”

Wickedness

“An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.”

PROVERBS 18:1-8

What Displeases God

“There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
 haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
  a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

PROVERBS 6:16-19

Delayed Gratification

“May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.”

PSALMS 119:171-173

EZEKIEL 22:25-30

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”

“The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.”

Continue reading “EZEKIEL 22:25-30”

A Flattering Mouth Works Ruin.

“Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
    is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

Continue reading “A Flattering Mouth Works Ruin.”

Sober Judgement

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Continue reading “Sober Judgement”

Part of the Dough

“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.”

ROMANS 11: 16-18

1 Samuel 25:4-44

While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.

So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name.

Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!’

The Answer Pits Itself In The Apple.

“…If you ask for Wisdom,
God’s words are Silence…”

If you ask for strength,

He will give it to you by weakening you.
If you ask for guidance,

His guidance is usually wrought through confusion.
{DISCHORD}

If you ask for Wisdom,
His words are Silence.

Dakkun

Light

“In him was life;
and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness
comprehend it not.
There was a man sent…whose name was, ‘John.’
The same came for a witness
to bear witness of the light,…

He was not that light,
but was sent to bear witness of that light.

That was the true light,
that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

JOHN 1:4-9

Hearing Is Believing

The sense of hearing
beckons
the curiosity of the soul.

“Just reading it isn’t enough; there is something about hearing The Word that does something for the Spiritual part of your mind.”

Doug Kindred
https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/496010-Read-Matthew-to-Live-Your-Life-Read-John-to-Save-Your-Soul

Begin Your Work

and the Lord be with you!

“You have many workers:
stonecutters,
masons
and carpenters, 
as well as those skilled in every kind of work
in gold
and silver,
bronze
and iron—
craftsmen beyond number.
Now begin the work,
and the Lord be with you.”

1 Chronicles 22:15-16

Pray In Silence

 But when you pray,
go into your room,
close the door and pray to your Father, 
who is unseen.
Then your Father,
who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you. 
And when you pray,
do not keep on babbling like pagans,
for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 
 Do not be like them,
for your Father knows what you need 
before you ask him.”

MATTHEW 6:6-8

Faith and Deeds

“faith…if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead.”

What good is it,
my brothers and sisters,
if someone claims to have faith
but has no deeds?
Can such faith save them?
Suppose a brother or a sister is without
clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to them,
“Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”
but does nothing about their physical needs,
what good is it?
In the same way,
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead.

JAMES 2:14-17

JAMES 1:2-4 

“Let perseverance finish her work so you may be mature and complete.”

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

JAMES 1:2-4
we don’t need guns to stand for freedom

ISAIAH 65:1-5

Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said,
‘Here am I,
here am I’.
All day long,
I have held my hands to
an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations-
people who continually provoke me to my very face,
offering sacrifices in gardens
and burning incense
on alters of brick;
who sit among the graves
and spend their nights keeping secret vigil,
who eat the flesh of pigs
and whose pots hold broth of impure meat;
who say, ‘Keep away;
don’t come near me.
I am too sacred for you!
Such people are smoke in my nostrils,
a fire that keeps burning all day.”

ROMANS 12:14-18

“Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse.15
Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud,
but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited.17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18
If it is possible,
as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.”

Paul

1st Samuel 23 : 22-23

“Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty. 23 Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah.”

Zohar Quote

“… we will teach them how;
Instruct them how the soul of man becomes…”

“Though too weak to tread the ways of truth

This age falls back to old idolatry,

Though men return to servitude a fact

As the tide ebbs, to ignominy and shame

By nations sink together, we shall still

Find solace–knowing what we have learned to know

Rich in true happiness, if allowed to be

Faithful alike in forwarding a day

Of greater Light, joint laborers in

Continue reading “Zohar Quote”

When Desire Gives Birth to Sin

 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”
For God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he tempt anyone; 
but each person is tempted
when they are dragged away by their own evil desire
and enticed. 
Then, after desire has conceived,
it gives birth to sin; 
and sin,
when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

JAMES 1:13-15

Cart Ropes

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Woe to those who are wise to their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Woe to those who acquit the guilty for a bribe but deny justice to the innocent.”

ISAIAH 5:20-21, 23

Zechariah 4 :1


“Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.”


Who was Zechariah?

Jewish High Priest, responsible for Temple incense.

John the Baptist’s Father; 11th of the 12 minor prophets; lived in 520 B.C.

He is a Levite who assisted in bringing up thee ark from the house of Obed-Edom (1 Chronicles 15:20-24).

Where did this happen?

Israel

What is the overall message?

  1. Past generations have lived amoral lives.
  2. 2. The Second Temple will be rebuilt

Romans 12 :1-21


Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, … to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,…

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. …

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, …

Continue reading “Romans 12 :1-21”

Protector On High

“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

“From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

PSALMS 61:2

Isaiah 28:21-22

“Now stop your mocking,
or your chains will become heavier;”


The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim,
    he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon—
to do his work, his strange work,
    and perform his task, his alien task.
22 Now stop your mocking,
    or your chains will become heavier;
the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me
    of the destruction decreed against the whole land.