Podcasts about for paul

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 Timothy 3:1 KJVThere are two things that need attention in this statement: This know also connects what he is saying with what he has just said—and we will need to talk about that. The word perilous, though, is not exactly what Paul said. Other translations render the Greek word here as terrible or difficult. Actually, it comes from a Greek root that means to weaken. It is certainly true that what Paul describes here is a perilous time for men of faith, but it is perilous because the times are weakening—that is, they are debilitating, they tend to take us down.For Paul to caution Timothy as he did is suggestive that, for all he knew, they might be living in the last days. Paul didn’t know, of course. Jesus made it plain that no man knew the day or the hour. But that didn’t keep him from looking at the signs of the times. But then he when on to explain to Timothy, at some length, what it was he was driving at. We’ll see this as we continue in 2 Timothy, chapter 3. Click here for Surviving the Last Days #2.

Philippians 2:5-8. For Paul, serving Christ was physically challenging. Today, the fundamental Christian experience is one of being united with a crucified Messiah. In this study, Fairview Evangelist Brent Dyer examines the shame and suffering that is the new normal for those that have taken up the cross to follow Him.

Acts 16.2-3 NLT 'Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.' This is a fascinating moment. Paul has just come away from the Council of Jerusalem where the decision has been clearly made that it is unnecessary for Christians to obey the Jewish law. He, more than anyone, passionately believed that it was not necessary for men to be circumcised and in his letters he is scathing of those who insisted on it. So why does he insist that his new companion, Timothy, should go through a ceremony which he believes is entirely unnecessary? The answer is clearly that he believed that their priority was to preach the gospel and that they must ensure that nothing got in the way of that. If Timothy was to work effectively amongst Jews then it would be much more helpful if he were to be circumcised. Timothy's mother was a Jew and so he already had much in common with Jews, and his circumcision would make it much easier to speak with them. Paul set out his thinking on this subject in 1 Corinthians 9.20. He wrote, “When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.” The particular challenge that Paul was facing may feel very far removed from our own situation, but the principles are the same. There are many people for whom the Good News of Jesus is a completely foreign language. That means that we need to go out of our way to make connections. And we will also need to look at ourselves and see if there is anything that we could change in order to get closer to them. For Paul nothing in the world was more important than bringing other people to Christ – and that hasn't changed. QUESTION: What could you do to reach out more effectively to your family, neighbours or work colleagues with the Good News of Jesus? PRAYER: Lord God, thank you for Paul's example. Help us to be humble enough to learn from it. Amen

Paul and Kevin talk about balancing being a fanboy with critical analysis of the program. Also, who is the real KD? Hint: he's 6'11". Then they break down the Texas schedule and try to power rank the toughest opponents in order of difficulty. For Paul, the rankings have a lot to do with where the opponents falls on the schedule over actual quality. Kevin offers his evaluation of Paul's rankings and much, much more. ** The time is now for your new mortgage or refi with Gabe Winslow at 832-557-1095 or MortgagesbyGabe. Then get your financial life in order with advisor David McClellan, contact him now for a free consult: 312-933-8823. Centex realtor Laura Baker is the best in the biz. Find out why at 512-784-0505. The Thinking Texas Football Longhorn football preview is out. Buy it on Smashwords (Kindle), Amazon (paperback), and Apple. Send your questions and comments to trophymailbag@gmail.com.

Luecke Contra Baptism I would like to thank the Rev. Dr. David S. Luecke for providing a stark contrast between his Church Growth Movement (CGM) approach to liturgy and sacraments vs. what Gottesdienst has been not only advocating, but putting into practice for going on thirty years. His undated piece “Avoid Sacramentalism in Ministry” from his What Happened to our Churches? blog is a case in point. This article is a valuable example of why Gottesdienst exists, and why the work of pastors and the laity in the ongoing restoration of biblical theology and reverence in worship is not only needed, but is making a difference. He begins his piece by pointing out that the local Baptist Moody radio station “dropped broadcasts of the Lutheran hour” because of The Lutheran Hour's emphasis on “Baptism as a key to salvation.” He laments this as a “first-class communications problem,” and the fault for this “error” was “with Lutheran preachers.” He accuses Lutheran pastors of holding to an ex opere operato theology of Holy Baptism divorced from the Word and from the Holy Spirit. Luecke sums up his explanation of how salvation works, that the Holy Spirit works through the Word, and the water merely “visualizes” the Word. He never mentions Jesus or the cross in his mini-presentation of the ordo salutis in his own words. In fact, Dr. Luecke has a strange articulation of his confession of the Holy Trinity: All Protestants affirm the Trinity of Three Persons in One God, a concept very hard to understand. Calvinist focus on the First-Person God the Father. Lutherans emphasize the Second-Person God the Son. God the Spirit has been much neglected mostly because his role as Lord and Giver of church life was not needed when lively church life was heavily institutionalized. The rapidly growing Pentecostal movement of the last 100 years features the Third-Person Spirit. For Paul Christ and the Holy Spirit are inter-changeable. He attributes the same function in one place to Christ and another place to the Spirit. For Paul the Spirit is Christ present with us now [emphasis added]. Dr. Luecke's assertion of Lutheran pastors severing faith from Holy Baptism is a straw man argument. He never sites any source of this apparently rampant false doctrine among Lutheran clergy, in which Baptism is treated as a magic ceremony independent of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and presumably, our Lord Jesus Christ who told us to “make disciples” by baptizing them in the first place. And Dr. Luecke blames the Lutherans (Walt Kowalsky was right!) and acts as if being removed from the Moody radio station is a bad thing. In reality, The Lutheran Hour deserves kudos for not being afraid to confess our theology. Were a Baptist to read the Small Catechism's seven questions and answers on the Chief Part of Holy Baptism, he would reject it as false doctrine. I was raised in the Baptist Church. I'm grateful for the biblical instruction that I had as a child, as well as learning who Jesus is and why the cross matters. The people of my little Baptist congregation were confessors of the Gospel. That said, Baptists and Lutherans believe entirely different things about Holy Baptism. Moody's doctrinal statement is utterly silent about the sacraments. Dr. Luecke admits that Baptists reject infant baptism, mirroring their snarky tone about “sprinkling water on a baby” having nothing to do with one's “relationship with God.” Dr. Luecke also uses the curious term “water baptism” - a distinction often used among charismatics to distinguish actual baptism from a laying on of hands that accompanies “speaking in tongues” (which they call “baptism of the Spirit”). As an aside, Dr. Luecke says that he doesn't have the “gift of tongues,” but he recognizes modern glossolalia as valid in a response to a person who claims to “speak in tongues”: I did not intend to belittle something that has been a defining feature for millions of enthusiastic believers. I intended just to say that I have not been given that gift. I am appealing to a much broader audience than those who have had the experience of speaking in tongues. I gave my understanding of it as an emotional expression. Many Lutheran pastors have hostility toward charismatics from the conflicts involving charismatics in congregations in the 60s and 70s. I respect charismatics for their energy. Yours is the first expression of your prayer language being very rational. God bless your gift and the Giver. Moody is also to be commended for their faithfulness to their theology. They recognize what Luecke doesn't want to: that neo-Evangelicals and Lutherans have incompatible theologies of baptism, and of the sacraments in general. Dr. Luecke longs for a kind of faux unity by having The Lutheran Hour either compromise our theology, or dishonestly put it under a bushel. Dr. Luecke recognizes the inroads of the liturgical renewal that began in the middle of the twentieth century, as North American Lutherans began to dig out of the Pietist hole that their forbears, trying to fit in with a contemporary Protestant culture, fell into decades earlier - a cultural upheaval when the English language displaced the German during and after World War One. He describes his discomfort with “young pastors” and their “tendency toward sacramentalism” - which he defines as “treating the sacraments as more important than the Word.” Again, this is a straw man. The problem is actually the opposite of Dr. Luecke's complaint. While it is still not uncommon for a Lutheran congregation to have a Service of the Word without Holy Communion, I have never heard of a Service of the Sacrament without the Word. Can Dr. Luecke point to a single example of a Lutheran Divine Service that skips the Bible readings, omits the sermon, and heads right into the Eucharist? But we do see, again and again, especially in non-liturgical “church growth” congregations, the omission of the Sacrament rather than the omission of the Word. In some cases, non-liturgical churches boast about their “seeker sensitive” approach that pushes the Sacrament of the Altar to the fringes, perhaps only celebrating it once a month. I cannot imagine how malnourishing such a bland diet would be. It is a repudiation of our confession that Holy Communion strengthens our faith. And this is why Christians from time immemorial gathered on the Lord's Day for the “breaking of bread” - that is until men of Dr. Luecke's generation and inclination decided that what we needed was less Holy Communion. As to the accusation of “treating the sacraments as more important than the Word,” Gottesdienst's print journal is immersed in the Word of God. I've been the sermons editor for more than a decade. Every issue includes sermons. We insist that preaching be bound by, and centered on, the biblical text, the Word of God, as opposed to anecdotes, cutesy stories, emotional glurge, object lessons, or pop culture commentary. We also have regular columns devoted to the exegesis of Scripture. I have been to many Divine Services and other prayer offices at Gottesdienst events. The Word is always powerfully preached and proclaimed. I have never seen Dr. Luecke in attendance at any of them. This is a common straw man among our critics, that we - as I heard recently - pay more attention to “the proper form of a stole to proclaiming the pure Gospel” - and that this explains the decline of Christianity in our country, in the west, and around the world. This mirrors Dr. Luecke's Theology of Glory, in which he asserts that the number of the butts in the pews is in direct proportion to the faithfulness of the preacher and the correctness of the church's method of worship. The fact of the matter is that the editors and bloggers of Gottesdienst are parish pastors, some having been for decades - not primarily professors, experts in industrial organization, bureaucrats, theorists, academicians, or consultants about how to grow a church. And in the course of years of actual parish ministry, one sees the power of the Word of God, through preaching, through Baptism and the Lord's Supper, through Confession and Absolution, through praying the Psalms, through the liturgy, on deathbeds, in times of personal and family angst, in tragedy, in bringing Christ to bear in the midst of the Culture of Death and a world that is repulsed by the cross. Actual parish pastors baptize the babies - sometimes with an eye dropper. They also bury the babies and console the grieving parents who are comforted by our emphasis on baptism. They also baptize adults, and in some cases, the elderly. They teach the Word in Bible classes, in youth catechesis, and in sermons - week in and week out. They bring both Word and Sacrament to shut-ins and to the hospitalized. They proclaim the Word of God as their parishioners breathe out their final breath on this side of the grave. And in fact, we are so focused on the Word of God, we use the traditional liturgy! Your Lutheran Service Book (LSB) has the biblical references embedded in the liturgy on every page. The Church has used the liturgy for well over 1,500 years precisely because the liturgy is grounded in the living Word of God. In fact, the deviants from the liturgy are those who move away from the Word into the realm of either reason (as many of the Reformed do), emotion (as many neo-Evangelicals do), phony signs and wonders (as many Pentecostals and Charismatics do), or magisterial mysticism (as many Roman Catholics do). Dr. Luecke suffers from the Grass Is Always Greener syndrome - as do many cradle Lutherans who take their treasure for granted. As a convert, I see the futility of lusting after popularity by adopting worship alien to our confessions. I have been there, and done that - with all of its strengths and weaknesses. The reality is that we have the best of both worlds in our Lutheran confession: a rigorous cruciform theology informed not by direct revelation, the magisterium, or by a complex matrix of popes and councils, not by logic and reason, not by ginned up emotion and navel-gazing, but by the Word of God, sola scriptura. And we retain the biblical practice of baptismal regeneration and of the Lord's own words concerning His Supper (as the great I AM proclaims the great THIS IS), as well as retaining the biblical practice of Holy Absolution according to our Lord's institution. Dr. Luecke presents a false either/or dichotomy that offers us only option A) The Word or option B) the sacraments, without an option C) all of the above. And in fact, the real, fully-lived Christian life is not a multiple choice quiz, but rather an essay, a narrative, that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ: His incarnation, birth, ministry, passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and the consummation of His coming again in glory. I would agree with Dr. Luecke if his critique were a caution against the danger falling into ex opere operato (seeing baptism and all other liturgical acts as a work severed from faith). For this warning is strewn about the Book of Concord. It is one of the chief criticisms of Rome. And where I see it is in the good intention of grandparents whose faithless children will not baptize or raise their own children in the faith. And so pious grandparents, lovingly desperate for the salvation of their grandchildren, will sometimes inquire about bringing their grandchildren to church to baptize them independent of the parents' wishes or intention to raise them as Christians. Sometimes grandparents will ask about doing a sort-of secret emergency baptism themselves (a situation so common that an episode of All in the Family depicted Archie Bunker doing this very thing). Their motivation is love. But we have to gently remind them that baptism is not a silver bullet, that faith matters, that like a seed that is watered, the ongoing life of the seedling requires ongoing care lest it die. Those with any time in the pastoral office has had to encounter this real-world situation. But Dr. Luecke is instead condemning those who worship by means of the liturgy, in “traditional churches,” and especially in “highly liturgical churches” and their pastors who emphasize Holy Baptism in the life of the Christian. Dr. Luecke refers back to Dr. Luther's famous dictum that when he was tormented by the devil, he would made the good confession: “I am baptized.” Dr. Luecke cautions, “This can be taken to mean he relied on the act of water baptism for his identity as a believer.” This shows that Dr. Luecke doesn't understand the Lutheran confession of Holy Baptism. Baptism is our identity as a believer. It is how disciples are made. It is the objective declaration of God of His objective work of regeneration. Otherwise, Dr. Luther would not refer back to it, but would rather exclaim, “I have faith.” The problem is that faith is subjective. It is impossible to quantify. Holy Baptism is objective. It is binary: you either are, or you are not. And Holy Baptism delivers faith. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we taught to sever the two, nor are we to treat baptism as a mere human act publicly acknowledging our faith (as is the Baptist confession). Rather, we confess baptism as “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” To be baptized is to be born again. And in our first birth, we draw our first breath in the world. In our second birth, we draw our first breath in eternity. How can a Lutheran remove baptism from his identity? Baptism and faith are intertwined, but it is baptism that is the objective, extra nos reality to which a person whose faith may be tried and frayed can point. And that reality delivers faith as a gift. The remembrance of baptism strengthens our faith. Faith is not substitute for baptism. This is a theology alien to our Lutheran confession. I remember listening to the radio on a long drive across the entire state of Pennsylvania and the only thing I could pick up was a religious station. A Baptist pastor was preaching a thunderous fire-and-brimstone sermon, but at one point in his preaching, he broke down in tears. He could not determine if his faith were sufficient. He was broken and demoralized, and had no objective means of faith, nothing outside of himself and his own sinful works to which to anchor himself. This is the crabgrass that Dr. Luecke is peering at over the fence, convincing himself that it is greener. And it is, like the “sign” of “speaking in tongues,” a navel-gazing subjective self-validation of one's salvation as opposed to the objective, divinely-focused nature of Holy Baptism as a reality of the New Birth in a Christian's life. Dr. Luecke criticizes the mid twentieth century rediscovery of the liturgy as a blessing to the faith and life of the individual Christian and of the Church, as a “wrong turn.” He creates another straw man that emphasizing “renewing the forms and rituals of public worship” is antithetical to “the Word of God itself” and to “relationships.” This is not only factually untrue, it is a weird display of mental gymnastics. For ritual doesn't take away from relationships. In fact, all forms of relationships involve ritual. For example, I don't know if Dr. Lueke is married or not, but if so, I would be willing to wager that this entrance into a sacred relationship with his wife was accompanied by ritual, and it was probably quite traditional. She probably wore a wedding dress as opposed to a pair of blue jeans. Likewise, he was probably wearing, if not a tuxedo, some form of suit and tie (a form of male vesture dating back to the Pagan French Revolution). The wedding service was likely liturgical, as opposed to being ex corde. Interestingly, in my experience, weddings are an example in which Baptists actually follow a more liturgical form than the usual loosely-liturgical Sunday service. Words are read out of the book, and the couple and the pastor engage in a formal rote recitation. And likewise, married- and family-life involves a lot of rituals. I don't know if Dr. Luecke has children or not, but if so, I would bet that every year on the natal anniversary of his wife and children, the family would gather for a liturgy of sorts, a ritual involving a special meal, candles, and the singing of a particular traditional song. And far from standing in opposition to the idea of relationship, such rituals are like glue that bonds relationships. I wonder what Dr. Lueke thinks of the traditional ritual of celebrating one's baptismal birthday with the lighting of a candle and saying certain prayers. And of course, there are many social liturgies, like the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, fireworks on the fourth, handshakes, retirement dinners, clinking glasses together in a toast, the seventh-inning stretch, the starting pistol at the beginning of the race, clapping at the conclusion of a recital, eating popcorn at the movie theater, etc. All of these rituals foster relationships. They do not impede them. In the Church, we often refer to the Lord's Supper as “Holy Communion.” It is a “communion,” a ritual act of relationship between believers and God as well as believers to each other. How liturgy is seen in opposition to such relationships beggars belief. Nearly every act of human relationship involves rituals, formal and informal. Social iconoclasm leads only to the breakdown of civilization and the destruction of the faith - not to mention a destruction of relationships through deracination and atomization, creating a vacuum to be filled with a selfish desire for personal entertainment and the treating of “butts in the pews” as an impersonal, ego-driven barometer of faith and faithfulness. Dr. Luecke displays a shocking ignorance of history and of the Bible itself by arguing that “the roots” of our liturgical rituals: go back to the fourth century when the now-official Christian church began adopting special rituals, robes, and parades with incense of pagan worship. Pagan worship was meant to impress the gods, so they would look favorably on human efforts. Quality was important for that purpose. Emphasizing those rituals led to the sacramentalism that forms were more important than the Word of God itself. And herein lies the heart of the matter of Dr. Luecke's iconoclastic rebellion against the liturgy and the sacraments - and to be blunt, his rebellion against the Word of God itself. While some of our specific clerical vestments have their roots in the Greco-Roman world of our Lord, the apostles, and the Pagan (and later Christian) Roman Empire, the idea of liturgical vestments when ministering in the presence of God is an Old Testament idea. That which Dr. Luecke dismissively calls “robes” and other liturgical accoutrements are, per his argument, of Pagan origin to “impress the gods.” If Dr. Luecke were to read Exodus and Leviticus, he would learn what God's preferences are. When He appeared to Moses in the burning bush, God instructed Moses to remove his sandals, as this was a place of holiness - set apart from the ordinary because of the miraculous presence of God. He did not tell Moses “come as you are” or champion casualness as a virtue in the presence of God. And our Lutheran confession of the Lord's Supper is that it is a miracle, that Jesus is truly present in an incarnate, physical form occupying space and time. It is His same body born of the Virgin Mary, the same blood shed on the cross. It is not a symbol. It is not a “spiritual presence.” It is a miraculous manifestation of God in our midst: God in our sanctuary, God on our altar, God given to us to eat and drink and take into ourselves bodily, according to His Word and institution. This is why our churches are called “sanctuaries” - holy places - no less holy than the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and temple. Why we would treat this most sublime gift and reality with anything less than complete awe and wonder and reverence can only be described by one word: disbelief. When the time came for the Lord to dwell among His people by means of His miraculous presence, the Lord Himself instructed that a beautiful tabernacle be constructed, with specific instructions for top quality items of beauty to be used in a liturgical setting. The priests were to be vested as they carried out their ministry, with fine linen, gems, and colorful cloth of superlative workmanship. God's house was to be adorned in the finest of silver and gold and other metals, with beautiful fabrics and artwork. And there are also liturgical instructions regarding ordinations, daily and weekly worship, and an annual calendric cycle. And it is impossible to read the Lord's worship preferences and not come away convinced that God prefers liturgy, ritual, beauty, reverence, and yes, “quality” when it comes to His presence on earth. There are no examples in Scripture of the miraculous presence of God being accompanied by come-as-you-are casualness and an entertainment emphasis. And there was also incense. Incense is a powerful image, the use of which is mandated in Old Testament worship, is referred to in Psalm 141 as symbolic of prayer, was presented to our Lord by the Magi, was part of our Lord's ritual of His burial, and is also mentioned numerous times in the Book of Revelation. Incense is not of Pagan origin, but Pagans copied it from the worship of the true God. The words “incense” and “frankincense” appear 110 times in the ESV translation, including both God's delight in it, as well as his condemnation of it being offered to false gods, or even to Himself by those who were not called to lead worship. Dr. Luecke's brand of de-emphasis of baptism, his anticlericalism and his innovationism is the real problem in the Church. It must be stamped out by constant and consistent catechesis (including by the teaching that happens by means of ceremonies), by a renewed biblical literacy, by a rediscovery of our Book of Concord and our Church History, by liturgical preaching, by embracing not American sectarianism but our Evangelical Catholic confession of the traditional, unchanging, apostolic faith, and by rejecting the idea that popularity is what determines righteousness. This latter one is the rotten fruits of the Church Growth Movement's libido numerandi and lusting after the ego-stroke of big churches and big budgets. Can you imagine if we raised our children to cultivate a desire to be popular? Would we advise our sons to do drugs? Would we advise our daughters to be promiscuous? Why do CGM advocates embrace worldly popularity as a gage of “church success.” Have they not read our Lord's words? Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. These two verses are a repudiation of Dr. Luecke's entire career as a CGM advocate. I would posit that if he has baptized one baby in the course of his ministry, he has done more good for the growth of the kingdom than his entire corpus of books and articles. And when our Lord returns to this decimated, fallen world finding only a remnant of believers, He will not scold us for not being worldly enough, with our churches being too small, with not enough butts in the pews - but will commend His Bride for her faithfulness to His Word, promise, and command: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Galatians 6:6 ESV Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ----- Ang tinuturuan ng salita ay dapat magbahagi sa nagtuturo ng lahat ng mga bagay na mabuti. SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR. One of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament for the edifying of the church is that of pastor-teacher. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers.” [Eph 4:11] They are given the unique ability by God through the Spirit to teach His Word to others. Generally, most churches have full-time pastors. But, a few have either volunteer or part-time pastors, especially if the church is new and small. Unlike a classroom teacher, they are expected to teach more by their ways more than their words; more by their lives than their lips. “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”[Heb 13:7] Their example is of prime importance.Peter has instructed the pastors, saying, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”[1 Pet 5:2-3] Even, Paul has emphasized the character of a pastor than his competence. He said, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”[1 Tim 3:1-7]. It's no wonder that James has to say, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”[Jas 3:1] As part of the general rule of bearing one another's burden, the church should share "all good things" with those who teach. That is, providing for those who teach the Word is part of the load each of us should carry. The material support is purely logical or it has a lot of common sense. Thus, Paul asked, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? [1 Cor 9:7] The Lord Jesus also has expressed this when He sent the twelve disciples, saying, “Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.” [Matt 10:9,10] Moreover, it is also lawful. Paul continued to ask, “Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?” [1 Cor 9:8] Most importantly, it should be done to honor them. For Paul has also written, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”[1 Tim 5:17,18] Definitely, the sharing of good things to your pastor is love in action.

Proper 13 First Psalm: Psalm 87; Psalm 90 Psalm 87 (Listen) Glorious Things of You Are Spoken A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song. 87   On the holy mount stands the city he founded;2     the LORD loves the gates of Zion    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.3   Glorious things of you are spoken,    O city of God. Selah 4   Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;    behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush1—    “This one was born there,” they say.5   And of Zion it shall be said,    “This one and that one were born in her”;    for the Most High himself will establish her.6   The LORD records as he registers the peoples,    “This one was born there.” Selah 7   Singers and dancers alike say,    “All my springs are in you.” Footnotes [1] 87:4 Probably Nubia (ESV) Psalm 90 (Listen) Book Four From Everlasting to Everlasting A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. 90   Lord, you have been our dwelling place1    in all generations.2   Before the mountains were brought forth,    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,    from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3   You return man to dust    and say, “Return, O children of man!”24   For a thousand years in your sight    are but as yesterday when it is past,    or as a watch in the night. 5   You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,    like grass that is renewed in the morning:6   in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;    in the evening it fades and withers. 7   For we are brought to an end by your anger;    by your wrath we are dismayed.8   You have set our iniquities before you,    our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9   For all our days pass away under your wrath;    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.10   The years of our life are seventy,    or even by reason of strength eighty;  yet their span3 is but toil and trouble;    they are soon gone, and we fly away.11   Who considers the power of your anger,    and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12   So teach us to number our days    that we may get a heart of wisdom.13   Return, O LORD! How long?    Have pity on your servants!14   Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15   Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,    and for as many years as we have seen evil.16   Let your work be shown to your servants,    and your glorious power to their children.17   Let the favor4 of the Lord our God be upon us,    and establish the work of our hands upon us;    yes, establish the work of our hands! Footnotes [1] 90:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts (compare Septuagint) our refuge [2] 90:3 Or of Adam [3] 90:10 Or pride [4] 90:17 Or beauty (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 136 Psalm 136 (Listen) His Steadfast Love Endures Forever 136   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever.2   Give thanks to the God of gods,    for his steadfast love endures forever.3   Give thanks to the Lord of lords,    for his steadfast love endures forever; 4   to him who alone does great wonders,    for his steadfast love endures forever;5   to him who by understanding made the heavens,    for his steadfast love endures forever;6   to him who spread out the earth above the waters,    for his steadfast love endures forever;7   to him who made the great lights,    for his steadfast love endures forever;8   the sun to rule over the day,    for his steadfast love endures forever;9   the moon and stars to rule over the night,    for his steadfast love endures forever; 10   to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,    for his steadfast love endures forever;11   and brought Israel out from among them,    for his steadfast love endures forever;12   with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,    for his steadfast love endures forever;13   to him who divided the Red Sea in two,    for his steadfast love endures forever;14   and made Israel pass through the midst of it,    for his steadfast love endures forever;15   but overthrew1 Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,    for his steadfast love endures forever;16   to him who led his people through the wilderness,    for his steadfast love endures forever; 17   to him who struck down great kings,    for his steadfast love endures forever;18   and killed mighty kings,    for his steadfast love endures forever;19   Sihon, king of the Amorites,    for his steadfast love endures forever;20   and Og, king of Bashan,    for his steadfast love endures forever;21   and gave their land as a heritage,    for his steadfast love endures forever;22   a heritage to Israel his servant,    for his steadfast love endures forever. 23   It is he who remembered us in our low estate,    for his steadfast love endures forever;24   and rescued us from our foes,    for his steadfast love endures forever;25   he who gives food to all flesh,    for his steadfast love endures forever. 26   Give thanks to the God of heaven,    for his steadfast love endures forever. Footnotes [1] 136:15 Hebrew shook off (ESV) Old Testament: 2 Samuel 12:15–31 2 Samuel 12:15–31 (Listen) 15 Then Nathan went to his house. David's Child Dies And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” Solomon's Birth 24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah,1 because of the LORD. Rabbah Is Captured 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent2 of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at3 the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Footnotes [1] 12:25 Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord [2] 12:30 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms [3] 12:31 Hebrew pass through (ESV) New Testament: Acts 20:1–16 Acts 20:1–16 (Listen) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Footnotes [1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium (ESV) Gospel: Mark 9:30–41 Mark 9:30–41 (Listen) Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Who Is the Greatest? 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,1 and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. Footnotes [1] 9:38 Some manuscripts add who does not follow us (ESV)

"You're the Doctor" declared the advert for classic board game "Operation", but this week on CheapShow Paul and Eli are the Doctors instead, and it's not going to end well for poor old Cavity Sam! In a heart pounding "Gannon's Golden Games" segment, the Cheap Chap battle to become the very best at removing small plastic pieces from a toy with a tweezer! It's thrilling stuff. We promise! Meanwhile, around the back of the Willy Wanka's Candy Shop, Juicy Jeremy is waiting for you at the secret Soda Jerk Store. He's got some cheap and tasty new drinks to share and some of them are even quite nice! Willy, however, seems to have revealed a new, disgusting side to his character! With all this going on, it's no surprise that Paul is finally losing his mind. Will Eli behave himself for just one episode? For Paul's sanity, we hope so! See pictures and/or videos for this episode here: https://www.thecheapshow.co.uk/ep-242-operation-soda-pop And if you like us, why not support us: www.patreon.com/cheapshow If you want to get involved, email us at thecheapshow@gmail.com And if you have to, follow us on Twitter @thecheapshowpod or @paulgannonshow & @elisnoid Like, Review, Share, Comment... LOVE US! Oh, and you can NOW listen to Urinevision 2021 on Bandcamp... For Free! Enjoy! https://cheapshowpodcast.bandcamp.com/album/urinevision-2021-the-album MERCH Official CheapShow Merch Shop www.redbubble.com/people/cheapshow/shop Www.cheapmag.shop www.tinyurl.com/rbcheapshow Send Us Stuff CheapShow PO BOX 1309 Harrow HA1 9QJ

With family: Judges 16; Acts 20 Judges 16 (Listen) Samson and Delilah 16 Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. 2 The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.” 3 But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron. 4 After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” 6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” 7 Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. 9 Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known. 10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound.” 11 And he said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. 13 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 14 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web.1 And she made them tight with the pin and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled away the pin, the loom, and the web. 15 And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,' when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. 21 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. 22 But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. The Death of Samson 23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.”2 25 And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. 26 And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. 28 Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years. Footnotes [1] 16:14 Compare Septuagint; Hebrew lacks and fasten it tight . . . into the web [2] 16:24 Or who has multiplied our slain (ESV) Acts 20 (Listen) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.3 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by4 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,5 which he obtained with his own blood.6 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Footnotes [1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium [3] 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ [4] 20:22 Or bound in [5] 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord [6] 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own (ESV) In private: Jeremiah 29; Mark 15 Jeremiah 29 (Listen) Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles 29 These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,1 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD. 10 “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare2 and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. 15 “Because you have said, ‘The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,' 16 thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your kinsmen who did not go out with you into exile: 17 ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, behold, I am sending on them sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten. 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, 19 because they did not pay attention to my words, declares the LORD, that I persistently sent to you by my servants the prophets, but you would not listen, declares the LORD.' 20 Hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles whom I sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 21 ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them down before your eyes. 22 Because of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: “The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,” 23 because they have done an outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them. I am the one who knows, and I am witness, declares the LORD.'” Shemaiah's False Prophecy 24 To Shemaiah of Nehelam you shall say: 25 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, 26 ‘The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to have charge in the house of the LORD over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and neck irons. 27 Now why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who is prophesying to you? 28 For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, “Your exile will be long; build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their produce.”'” 29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet. 30 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 31 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie, 32 therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the LORD, for he has spoken rebellion against the LORD.'” Footnotes [1] 29:8 Hebrew your dreams, which you cause to dream [2] 29:11 Or peace (ESV) Mark 15 (Listen) Jesus Delivered to Pilate 15 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified 6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged1 Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Jesus Is Mocked 16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters),2 and they called together the whole battalion.3 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. The Crucifixion 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour4 when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.5 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour6 had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.7 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he8 breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son9 of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. Jesus Is Buried 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.10 And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph11 bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. Footnotes [1] 15:15 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal [2] 15:16 Greek the praetorium [3] 15:16 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men [4] 15:25 That is, 9 a.m. [5] 15:27 Some manuscripts insert verse 28: And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “He was numbered with the transgressors” [6] 15:33 That is, noon [7] 15:33 That is, 3 p.m. [8] 15:39 Some manuscripts insert cried out and [9] 15:39 Or a son [10] 15:44 Or Pilate wondered whether he had already died [11] 15:46 Greek he (ESV)

This week, Kirk and Paul talk about music people might be surprised to know they like in this sequel to the first “Off-Brand Picks” episode. For Kirk, that means music with guitars. For Paul, it means Indonesian folk music with guitars. Plus some other stuff too.

God uses all things, even hardships to advance His Kingdom. In this chapter, Paul follows God's call to go to Macedonia where he will be beaten and arrested. Why would God call Paul to go to a place where hardships would be waiting? Hardships can sometimes be a vehicle of God's grace. For Paul, being placed in the prison wasn't ideal but it leads him to a chance to share Christ and lead the jailor and his family to believe in Jesus. So it is with us, that our hardships should point others to a closer relationship with Jesus. #journeyingthroughscripture #Bible #God #NewTestament

For Paul, the mind/thinking is the source for the outward actions. No longer are the believers to think like the gentiles; rather, they are to embrace a new mentality that will enable a new approach to life.

A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity Romans 6:19-23 & St. Mark 8:1-9 by William Klock The Old Testament prophet Hosea called Israel back to the Lord.  The people had turned their backs on him, they were worshipping idols, and even offering their children as sacrifices on the altars of pagan gods.  Instead of trusting the Lord to take care of them as he had promised, they had thrown themselves into the game of geopolitics and had put their trust in horses and chariots and made alliances with their pagan neighbours—all things that the Lord had forbidden.  Through Hosea, God call his covenant people back to himself.  He did it by turning Hosea's life into a series of living object lessons, the best known of which took place when God told Hosea to take a prostitute named Gomer for his wife.  Repeatedly Gomer left him, going back to her life of prostitution, and repeatedly and lovingly, Hosea sought her out, bought her out of her slavery, and brought her back to his home to be his wife. People thought Hosea was crazy.  What kind of idiot would take a prostitute for his wife and keep buying her back out of that life as she was continually unfaithful to him?  But through the prophet the Lord eventually says to them, “I'm that ‘idiot' and you're the prostitute!  I brought you out of Egypt, I loved you and fed you in the wilderness, I conquered the Canaanites for you and gave you homes that you didn't build and an abundant harvest that you didn't plant, and yet you continually turn your back on me and play the harlot with false Gods and with the nations of the world.”  And having given them that dramatic object lessons, Hosea calls the people back to their God: Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good and we will pay with bulls the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,' to the work of our hands.  (Hosea 14:1-3) Israel continued to struggle to be faithful to the Lord.  That's why Jesus came.  Israel's God, himself, taking on human flesh and being born of Mary.  He humbled himself, becoming one of his own people.  And as if that wasn't enough, he was despised, rejected, and killed.  But in that, as the perfect Israelite, Jesus took on himself the death that Israel deserved.  He brought a means of forgiveness, a means of restoration, and in his resurrection he brought a means and a promise of life to people who were dead.  And each of us, though Gentiles, have been called into the redeemed life of Israel through Jesus.  Our God is a god who gives his life out of love for his people—the very people who reject and despise and rebel against him. And yet even as Jesus' people, given his life and his Spirit, how often are we like Hosea's wife Gomer?  How often do we turn our backs on the Lord?  Consider our priorities in life.  All too often we put everything else first, and feel good about ourselves if we're willing to give him an hour or two on Sunday morning and maybe a few minutes of prayer during the week.  Instead of devoting our time, our talents, and our treasures to the one who gave them to us, we squander them on the things of the world.  We profess with our mouths that Jesus is our Saviour and Lord, but we fail to put our trust in him and instead trust in the ways and systems of the world for our security.  Through the prophets the Lord condemned his people for their false view of worship.  They thought that they could live their lives however they wanted as long as they came to the temple to offer the Lord the sacrifices he required—even thinking they could worship other gods on the side.  Jesus paraphrased God's response to that when he told the people, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”  True worship involves our whole selves given over to God for his use all of the time. Think about the vow we took or that our parents took for us when we were baptized.  The priest asked: “Do you renounce the devil and all his works, the empty display and false values of the world, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that you will not follow them and be led by them?”  In our Baptism we renounce the powers of the present evil age and we take hold of Jesus and the new age he has ushered in.  In our Baptism we are consecrated to the Lord.   But what does it mean to be consecrated to something or someone?  Notice that in our baptismal vows we don't promise to renounce the world the flesh and the devil when it's convenient or when it doesn't cut into our own plans or our own enjoyment or sense of security.  In our vows we give ourselves over to the Lord entirely.  We put ourselves firmly in his kingdom and renounce everything that stands opposed to it.  Like the Israelites, we've been called by the Lord to a new life.  They were slaves to the Egyptians and he brought them to a new life of freedom.  We were slaves to sin and he does the same for us spiritually.  Look at Romans 6:19-22.  St. Paul says: I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.    For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.   But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.   When it came to conveying the depth of our total devotion, first to sin and then as redeemed men and women to Jesus, Paul chose to compare it to slavery. A slave is literally owned by his master and is expected to be totally devoted to him in body and soul.  For Paul, to serve Jesus was everything—it was his life.  Remember that a slave's life belonged to his master, and so while the analogy isn't perfect—the negative side of slavery isn't what Paul has in view here—it illustrates the level of devotion that the Christian has to God.  He has bought us out of slavery with the blood of his Son, and we serve him; not out of fear or slavish obligation, but out of gratitude for what he has done for us.  There's no way we can pay him back for his sacrifice, but we do the best we can and he gives us the Holy Spirit to enable us to do more than we can ever do on our own. At one time each of us was a slave to sin.  That's a point where all the negative connotations of slavery are appropriate.  Oddly enough, though, when we were slaves to sin most of us didn't really see the negative side of it.  Read some 19th Century American history and you'll read about slaves that ran away from their masters.  They didn't want to live that miserable life.  But before Jesus found us, how many of us tried to run away from the master of sin?  We were slaves to sin and we enjoyed it.  Like the drug addict who is a slave to his drugs that get him high, all the time ignoring the harm the drugs do to his body and mind and the life of crime those drugs often lead him to, the sinner is slave to the momentary pleasures of sin, oblivious to or ignoring the deathly consequences of that sin.  In our natural and fallen state each of us is a slave to sin.  We have absolutely no desire to get away from it and no way to master its temptations if we did want to get away, and so we serve it body and soul. By contrast, as redeemed men and women we are called to serve the Lord with the same level of commitment we used to have to sin.  We used to seek sin out.  We left no stone unturned in a search for pleasure and gratification.  Brothers and Sisters, we need to put at least the same amount of effort into serving Jesus that we used to put into serving sin.  Where our wills were once submitted to unrighteousness, we are now to submit them totally to righteousness.  That's the total consecration that has its beginning in our baptismal vows. And note that there's no middle state and there's no compromising. You can't say you're no longer a slave to sin and at the same time not be a slave to righteousness.  Just like a real slave, God bought us from our old master, sin, with the blood of Jesus, who has become our new master.  In a very real sense we've gone from one form of slavery to another.  It's not uncommon to hear people refer to someone as a “carnal Christian”—someone who professes to have made Jesus his Saviour and Lord, but doesn't really live out that faith.  St. Paul doesn't leave any room for someone like that.  Either you're a slave to sin and serve the world, the flesh, and the devil, or you're a slave to Jesus, serving him with body and soul.  St. James reminds us that faith without works is a dead faith.  You can't be a Christian, you can't have experienced the amazing grace of God in your life, and at the same time not be wholly driven to serve Jesus with everything you've got! Do you ever notice how non-Christians usually don't want to have anything to do with Jesus?  I know a lot of people who take a big interest in God, but they don't want to talk about Jesus unless it's their own distorted version of him.  A distant and non-interfering God is okay, but a Saviour who comes into our lives and calls us to account makes people uncomfortable.  This is why churches that teach pop-psychology and self-help, that affirm people in their sin or in their spiritual immaturity, and that don't hold their members accountable are often so popular.  Nobody likes to be convicted of sin.  We'd rather have a religion that makes us feel warm and fuzzy and comfortable.  St. Paul makes the point that the problem isn't that man doesn't want God—what we don't want, he says, is Jesus.  We want God and the good things he has to offer, but on our own terms.  Jesus, however, reminds us that we are sinners and can only come to God on his terms—that we have to give up our sin and acknowledge his lordship.  Paul tells us that when we were ruled by sin, we didn't want to have anything to do with Jesus—he only convicted us of our sin.  Our redemption flips things: now that Jesus rules us, he must be our master and we should have no desire for sin. St. Paul's slavery analogy drives home the absoluteness of our duty under Jesus.  Some translations render the word as “servant.”  That misses the point of the absoluteness of what St. Paul is saying.  We are to have a total devotion.  Our love for our master changes our desire.  How much of a chore is it to sin?  In our natural state we love to sin.  Our desire to serve Jesus should be like that.  Serving him isn't a chore, it's a pleasure because we love him. If we go on and look at verses 22 to 23, Paul shows us the contrast made between the wages of sin and the wages of Christ: But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22-23) Sin may give us pleasure today, but it only has one end.  The only place it ultimately takes anyone is death.  Genesis tells us about Adam and Eve living in the presence of the Lord, their Creator, and under the branches of the tree of life.  They were made of dust, the point being that they were mortal creatures.  But he brought those two mortal creatures into his presence and in the presence of the Lord is life.  In choosing to sin, in choosing to rebel against their creator, Adam and Eve chose to be outside his presence.  They chose mortality, they chose death over life.  Brother and Sisters, God is the source of life and each and every sin we commit widens the gulf that stands between him and us.  Each sin takes us further away from the life found only in God's presence. In contrast, in return for serving Jesus we are daily brought closer and closer to God's life.  I think a lot of Christians sit around and passively wait for the life of eternity.  A lot of Christians look at the problems of the world around us and take an escapist attitude.  We want out.  “Come, Lord Jesus!”  And yet too often in just looking for escape, we miss out on the life that God gives us right now.  When we're grafted into his vine we start bearing fruit—that's his life manifested in us right now.  Sin has its own fruit, but it's like a cancer that gradually kills the vine.  God, on the other hand, nourishes us and makes us grow.  That's the sanctification that St. Paul writes about—it's the journey we take as we travel the road to eternal life, each day getting closer and closer to God. Paul also notes that God's gift of eternal life is free.  It's free because the life of the Christian isn't the result of his own goodness—it's in spite of his sinfulness.  Every one of us has earned the deathly wages of sin—it only takes one time, one sin.  Each of us deserves death, but life in God can never be deserved or earned.  It's God's gift.  And as we follow our new master we will find his sustaining grace will grow; our yoke will become easier, our burden will become lighter, our peace will become deeper, and our hope will become more and more assured. Our Gospel lesson gives us the assurance we need as we put on Jesus' yoke and carry the burden he's given us.  In our lesson today we read St. Mark's account of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and fishes for the crowd that had gathered to hear him preach. Jesus expects us to follow him just like those people followed him into the country where there was nothing to eat.  He didn't cut his sermon short thinking, “Hmm, some of these people came a long way and I'd better let them go early so they can go home to dinner.”  He preached for three days.  But all the time he understood what they'd given up to be there.  He said, I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away. (Mark 8:2-3) Jesus demands our all, but in return he gives us all the grace we need to follow him.  When he calls us to seek him first, he knows what we've left behind to follow him.  He knows how far we've travelled to be with him and to sit at his feet.  As he cared for the Israelites in the wilderness, he will take care of us too.  The Gospels tell this story more than once, and each time they tell us how everyone ate until he was satisfied and that there were still plenty of leftovers.  God isn't stingy with his blessings.  These accounts of his generosity ought to confirm our faith in him. Brothers and sisters, God has promised this all along.  Go back to our Old Testament lesson from Hosea.  This is what he promises in verses 4-8: I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.  They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. (Hosea 14:4-8) It's easy to be wholly devoted to Jesus and to stay away from sin when we're surrounded by our brothers and sisters as we worship the Lord on Sunday morning.  But when we step out of the church door and into the world it's not always easy to take that little pocket of the Kingdom of God with us.  God's promise to us is that he will give us the grace necessary to follow him—and we know from what he's done in the past that he's never stingy with his grace.  Too often we foolishly go off into the world and try to “be good” on our own.  It doesn't work that way, because without the Lord's life sustaining us we have no life of our own.  We make the mistake of focusing on eternal life as a reward we'll get after we die.  Our hope lies in the life of the age to come, but Brothers and Sisters, life is also God's reward to the faithful every day, right here and right now in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus has pulled the life of the age to come into the present and he pours it into us in our Baptism.  All we have to do is take our collect for today and make it our daily prayer and our daily commitment: “Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of your Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and so by your mercy keep us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

Morning: Psalms 22–24 Psalms 22–24 (Listen) Why Have You Forsaken Me? To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. 22   My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?2   O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,    and by night, but I find no rest. 3   Yet you are holy,    enthroned on the praises1 of Israel.4   In you our fathers trusted;    they trusted, and you delivered them.5   To you they cried and were rescued;    in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6   But I am a worm and not a man,    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.7   All who see me mock me;    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;8   “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9   Yet you are he who took me from the womb;    you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.10   On you was I cast from my birth,    and from my mother's womb you have been my God.11   Be not far from me,    for trouble is near,    and there is none to help. 12   Many bulls encompass me;    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;13   they open wide their mouths at me,    like a ravening and roaring lion. 14   I am poured out like water,    and all my bones are out of joint;  my heart is like wax;    it is melted within my breast;15   my strength is dried up like a potsherd,    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;    you lay me in the dust of death. 16   For dogs encompass me;    a company of evildoers encircles me;  they have pierced my hands and feet2—17   I can count all my bones—  they stare and gloat over me;18   they divide my garments among them,    and for my clothing they cast lots. 19   But you, O LORD, do not be far off!    O you my help, come quickly to my aid!20   Deliver my soul from the sword,    my precious life from the power of the dog!21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!  You have rescued3 me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22   I will tell of your name to my brothers;    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:23   You who fear the LORD, praise him!    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!24   For he has not despised or abhorred    the affliction of the afflicted,  and he has not hidden his face from him,    but has heard, when he cried to him. 25   From you comes my praise in the great congregation;    my vows I will perform before those who fear him.26   The afflicted4 shall eat and be satisfied;    those who seek him shall praise the LORD!    May your hearts live forever! 27   All the ends of the earth shall remember    and turn to the LORD,  and all the families of the nations    shall worship before you.28   For kingship belongs to the LORD,    and he rules over the nations. 29   All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,    even the one who could not keep himself alive.30   Posterity shall serve him;    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;31   they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,    that he has done it. The Lord Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David. 23   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.53     He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness6    for his name's sake. 4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,7    I will fear no evil,  for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me. 5   You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies;  you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.6   Surely8 goodness and mercy9 shall follow me    all the days of my life,  and I shall dwell10 in the house of the LORD    forever.11 The King of Glory A Psalm of David. 24   The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof,12    the world and those who dwell therein,2   for he has founded it upon the seas    and established it upon the rivers. 3   Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?    And who shall stand in his holy place?4   He who has clean hands and a pure heart,    who does not lift up his soul to what is false    and does not swear deceitfully.5   He will receive blessing from the LORD    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6   Such is the generation of those who seek him,    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.13 Selah 7   Lift up your heads, O gates!    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in.8   Who is this King of glory?    The LORD, strong and mighty,    the LORD, mighty in battle!9   Lift up your heads, O gates!    And lift them up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in.10   Who is this King of glory?    The LORD of hosts,    he is the King of glory! Selah Footnotes [1] 22:3 Or dwelling in the praises [2] 22:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts like a lion [they are at] my hands and feet [3] 22:21 Hebrew answered [4] 22:26 Or The meek [5] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest [6] 23:3 Or in right paths [7] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness [8] 23:6 Or Only [9] 23:6 Or steadfast love [10] 23:6 Or shall return to dwell [11] 23:6 Hebrew for length of days [12] 24:1 Or and all that fills it [13] 24:6 Septuagint, Syriac, and two Hebrew manuscripts; Masoretic Text who seek your face, Jacob (ESV) Evening: Acts 20:1–16 Acts 20:1–16 (Listen) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Footnotes [1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium (ESV)

In our continued study of the book of Ephesians, Paul makes a shift from talking about who we are in Christ to how we walk in Christ. The first three chapters of Ephesians focuses on who we are, seated in the high places, wealth in Christ, chosen to be his family. now, in chapter 4-6, Paul talks about what it is to walk. For Paul, however, faith and walking never happen individually, rather in community. We are in the family of God, joined together by Christ in Baptism. we are united in faith, and, we are to walk united in this world. Paul's emphasis, "we're all in the same boat..." We do not exist, we cannot believe, we will not survive, separate from one another. Doctrine means duty, belief means behavior, oue relationship with Jesus means relationship with one another. Listen in.

When an athletes are training, they must go through a rigorous routine that prepares the mind and body for what lays ahead. Paul uses this thinking to challenge his readers in Philippians 3: press on with the goal in mind. For Paul, it wasn't about an olympic medal. It was about the prize that waited for him when he was with His Lord Jesus. How can we gain this same perspective, endure the ups and downs of life, and keep focused on what waits for us?

After graduating high school Paul didn't feel ready for college yet, he joined the Marine Corps for 10 years. Since he left the Marine Corps he has been in technology ever since. For the last five years, he has been a technology entrepreneur, which has taken him to many countries across the world. He believes that in AI and robotics he can have the most impact on people. His biggest struggle has been how to think more creatively. For Paul goals stand for, Get Over All Losses! You can find Paul via his website: https://www.reciprocityroi.com/ _________________________ Contact me via my website: https://unleashyourfocus.com/ Join a great group of impact driven entrepreneurs and explode your marketing - get a free trial: https://unleashyourmarketing.academy/

Philippians 1.21-24 NLT 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.' During the two years that I lived in India a number of people in our community died and I deeply appreciated the way in which their deaths were handled. Soon after the person passed away their body was prepared and laid out on a bed in the middle of the main room of the house. Visitors would then come and pay their respects, light candles around the body, and say prayers. This would continue until the body was taken in an open coffin to church for the funeral service. All so very different from the way in which our society handles death. When I returned to this country I deeply regretted the way in which we seems to be kept well away from death. In our verses today Paul talks about death in a way that would probably shock many people. He is totally open about the fact of death and he reflects on the varied benefits of being alive or dead. Paul's confidence in Christ shines through his words. He knows the Lord so well that he is absolutely convinced that death is the preferable option. For Paul, death was bound to be much better than life, because he would be set free from all those things that obstruct our relationship with Christ here on earth. But he realises that, for the moment, he has responsibilities here on earth and so he is content with staying alive for the time being. One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is that we need have no fear of death. Earlier today I learnt that a friend of mine had died. He was 88 and had cancer. When I last visited him he shared with me how entirely peaceful he was at the idea of his death. What a wonderful blessing that is and it is one that we can all share as we place our life in God's hands. QUESTION: Do you share Paul's thoughts about death? PRAYER: Lord God, thank you that my relationship with you will not be brought to an end by death. Amen

It's finally time to see the tensions the church in Colossae was facing. While they may seem irrelevant to us, I believe we can see we still face these challenges today. For Paul, the solution is simple. We have all we need in Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Answer to Disharmony (Part I-The Goal)   Text: Ephesians 4: 1-10 Thesis: “God's answer to disharmony in the world is Christ. Christ is the only sure foundation for unity…Each member of the body of Christ must live faithfully with this grand result in mind.” (BBC, Ephesians, page 200)   Paul writes, literally from a prison cell, on behalf of the Lord. (vs1a) In jail, Paul continues to faithfully carry out his duties. For Paul, to serve Christ was his life. Paul States, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)   Paul “urges” all believers “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (vs1b-3) Paul reiterates throughout the letter to the Ephesians that to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is a high calling. A believer's lifestyle should reflect the nature of Christ. To “be” like Christ is to be: (vs2) “Completely humble”-not arrogant, but aware our righteousness is from Christ alone. “Completely gentle”-not weak, but controlled strength. “Completely patient”-not easily angered but able to give a measured response. We are called to “bear with one another in love”. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) Paul believes having harmony in the Church is a pre-requisite to having harmony in the world. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace.” (vs 3) Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, from they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Peacemakers are controlled by the “Spirit” (vs3), troublemakers are controlled by the flesh. “You, however, are not (controlled) in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)   III. Paul proclaims the profound “oneness” we find in Christ in verses 4-6. We are included in the family of God. The Triune Godhead is one in Nature, three in Person. We are the “body of Christ”, God the Son.   Paul personalizes our calling from Christ. (Vs 7-10) “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” God explained to Paul that His grace is sufficient in a time of need. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” (2 Cor. 12:9) A unanimous teaching throughout scripture is that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

In Romans 8:17-18, Paul introduces eschatological promises to the sons of God that endure through suffering. For Paul, Christian suffering is a given in Paul's perspective of the Christian life. Suffering can be expected, even among Christians, as long as we have two feet upon this earth. However, Paul is also quick to mention specific eschatological promises awaiting believers who stay hopeful in the fires of suffering. For the Roman Christians, suffering may not have been a reality they wanted to hear from Paul's pen. Like the Roman Christians, we need to both hear and receive this word on the eschatology of the suffering sons of God in our modern times.    Many of Francois' messages are delivered within the context of a spiritual formation school called, LEGACY School Of Discipleship. The emphasis of the school is to be trained within the realities of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ.    Learn more about LEGACY School Of Discipleship: www.legacyencounter.org   Support this podcast financially: www.legacyencounter.org/support   For questions: hello@legacyencounter.org   Follow LEGACY on Instagram: @legacy_discipleship   Facebook Page: LEGACY School Of Discipleship

Acts 18:1-17 (NIV) Read by: Javelin Lewis Sometimes God calls us to leave a place, sometimes he calls us to stay, the key is learning to discern the difference. Today's passage in Acts brings us to Paul's time in Corinth. Now, Corinth was the capital of a Roman province and was extremely steeped in it's Roman identity if you will. Some said it was more Roman than Rome itself. As notorious as port cities were and are today, ancient Corinth had 2 ports which today are a canal connecting two important bodies of water. And unlike other cities that Paul preaches in, he's called to stay in Corinth for about 18 months. Like Paul received a vision to go from Troas to Macedonia, he receives a vision to stay because the LORD has many of his people in this place. A couple of key people are Pricilla and Aquila, two jews who were expelled from Rome by the emperor Claudius. Ancient historians say that Claudius ordered this expulsion because there were riots among the Jews about a man named Christus. Pricilla and Aquila are mentioned fondly in both Paul's letter to the Corinthians and the Romans. Paul begins to work as a tentmaker along with them as a way of supporting himself, which he likely did before now, but without as much consistency because of how often he was moving from place to place. Today's passage also highlights a concession made by the proconsul Gallio who basically decided to not make a decision for the Jews who were angered by Paul. This ends up extending the same rights that the Jews enjoyed from Rome to the followers of Jesus. One overarching takeaway from today's passage is that sometimes God says go, and sometimes he says stay. And that often that guidance only comes just in time and is sometimes not super clear. ----------REFLECT---------- 1. What struck you about today's passage? 2. The LORD obviously cares about Paul, about Corinth, about the Jews who were expelled, the Jews in Corinth, along with the gentile in Corinth all the way to Gallio. What strikes you about God's character towards each party in this passage? 3. Have you ever been in need of the LORD's guidance in terms of when to leave or when to stay in a situation? For Paul to hear that the LORD's people were in this place would have come as a huge encouragement to him. Perhaps you can take a moment to ask the LORD for encouragement in regards to the decision you have to make or perhaps the decisions you're walking out. -------Featured Links------- InterVarsity Press Special Offers >> InterVarsity Press Daily Quiet Times >> ----------GO DEEPER---------- Bible Project: Acts 13-28 Overview >> InterVarsity Press Selections: Acts >> ----------CONNECT---------- Find an InterVarsity Chapter >> Start an InterVarsity Chapter >> Learn More >> --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyread/message

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 12–13 2 Samuel 12–13 (Listen) Nathan Rebukes David 12 And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms,1 and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD,2 the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house. David’s Child Dies And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” Solomon’s Birth 24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah,3 because of the LORD. Rabbah Is Captured 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent4 of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at5 the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Amnon and Tamar 13 Now Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David’s son, loved her. 2 And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.” 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon’s house and prepare food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Send out everyone from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate6 me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!” 16 But she said to him, “No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.”7 But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her.” 18 Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves,8 for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went. 20 And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.9 22 But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar. Absalom Murders Amnon 23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled. 30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king’s sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.” Absalom Flees to Geshur 34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him10 by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly. 37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the spirit of the king11 longed to go out12 to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead. Footnotes [1] 12:3 Hebrew bosom; also verse 8 [2] 12:14 Masoretic Text the enemies of the Lord; Dead Sea Scroll the word of the Lord [3] 12:25 Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord [4] 12:30 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms [5] 12:31 Hebrew pass through [6] 13:12 Or humiliate; also verses 14, 22, 32 [7] 13:16 Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [8] 13:18 Or a robe of many colors (compare Genesis 37:3); compare long robe, verse 19 [9] 13:21 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint add But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn [10] 13:34 Septuagint the Horonaim Road [11] 13:39 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint; Hebrew David [12] 13:39 Compare Vulgate ceased to go out (ESV) New Testament: Acts 19:23–20:16 Acts 19:23–20:16 (Listen) 23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs,1 who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?2 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further,3 it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews4 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and5 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Footnotes [1] 19:31 That is, high-ranking officers of the province of Asia [2] 19:35 The meaning of the Greek is uncertain [3] 19:39 Some manuscripts seek about other matters [4] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [5] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:145–152 Psalm 119:145–152 (Listen) Qoph 145   With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!    I will keep your statutes.146   I call to you; save me,    that I may observe your testimonies.147   I rise before dawn and cry for help;    I hope in your words.148   My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,    that I may meditate on your promise.149   Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;    O LORD, according to your justice give me life.150   They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;    they are far from your law.151   But you are near, O LORD,    and all your commandments are true.152   Long have I known from your testimonies    that you have founded them forever. (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 16:21–22 Proverbs 16:21–22 (Listen) 21   The wise of heart is called discerning,    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.22   Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,    but the instruction of fools is folly. (ESV)

Resources Used: Megan: Hey guys this is Megan Rawlings and Emily: Emily Richardson Megan: and you are listening to the Talk Bible to Me podcast presented by The Bold Movement.Hey sweet friends! Welcome to season 3 episode 4 of the Talk Bible to Me podcast. Where we will be working through Philippians 1:19-30.Emily: Ladies, we are so excited you are here. Go ahead and grab your Bible if you can because we want to study this passage with you verse-by-verse. We have a goal here at The Bold Movement to increase Biblical literacy. What better time to start than now? Megan: If this is your first time listening to our podcast, welcome! We are really glad you found us. For our returners, THANK YOU SO MUCH for keeping up with us and tuning in. Emily: We love being a place for you to grow and learn and we hope that through this study you gain some extra boldness and confidence to start teaching your own Bible study. Megan: Before we begin, I want to let you know that this podcast is an extension of The Bold Movement which is a ministry that trains women to boldly step into their role in the kingdom of God. There are tons of free resources on the website as well as Bible studies that not only teach you Scripture but also how to study it, and podcasts episodes just like this one. Emily: This is all designed to help you grow in your faith and find your role and purpose in the kingdom of God. You can visit our website at www.theboldmovement.com. Today's episode is presented by listeners like you who have committed to supporting The Bold Movement through our Patreon page. Those supporters are mentioned later on and you can be too, just visit www.patreon.com/theboldmovement. Megan: Okay sis, here's how we work. We will read a verse or two of Scripture and then we will pause to work through it and discuss what it means. I will name the resources we are using as well as post them on our website so you can familiarize yourself with them as well. With that being said -- let's study Philippians chapter 1 verses 19 through 30.Emily: Today, we are going to be reading from the English Standard Version, often referred to as the ESV. Let's start with verse 19.19 for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Hey -- remember that one time we stopped a podcast in the middle of a sentence and then started the next episode in the middle of that same sentence? (haha oops)Verse 18: But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 19 and 20 … for I know that through your prayers: “37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore (which is how) pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””Their prayers are part of the process.“In this context “deliverance” does not mean release from imprisonment, but something more important: his ultimate vindication, whether in life or in death. This will come about through their prayers. That is, owing not least to their prayers and the consequent “help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Paul will be so faithful that he will be entirely vindicated before God in the end. That Paul wants above all else to be found faithful is made clear by verse 20: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”” - D.A. Carson EMILY: So in a sense Paul's deliverance that he's talking about is a spiritual deliverance. He is saying regardless of the outcome of his time in prison, he has every reason to eagerly expect and hope for spiritual victory. Because he wasn't relying on his own courage but on the courage the Holy Spirit gifted him.“Thus Paul's driving concern is not that he should be released from jail or that, if he must die, he should have a relatively painless departure, but that he should do nothing of which he would some day be ashamed. He wants courage, so that Christ may be exalted in his body, “whether by life or by death” (1:20). He wants to hear Christ's blessed “Well done!” on the last day. And he openly solicits the prayers of God's people in Philippi that he might be strengthened toward that end.” - Carson“What is Paul expecting and hoping? That, in the final hour, he will not fail in his testimony. Paul does not want to “be ashamed,” to experience the public humiliation that would come with a denial of his faith. When we today hear the term “shame,” we think of someone who feels bad for a wrong they did. But in Paul's day, to be ashamed was to be publicly humiliated. Thus when Hebrews declares that Jesus Christ ignored the shame of the cross (12:1–2), or when Paul announces that he is not ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16), the message is that the social stigma of the cross should not deter believers in their public testimony, any more than it deterred Christ from dying on a cross. Note Paul's own imitation of Christ's meekness in accepting public humiliation for the sake of the gospel.” - Lynn Cohick21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. These are Paul's values.Honestly, when I first started studying Philippians (a couple years ago) I had to ask my husband what this meant because I was taking it so literally instead of putting it in context.“In the context, “to live is Christ” surely means that for Paul to keep on living here means ministry, Christ-centered ministry, Christ-empowered ministry, Christ's presence in his ministry. To die is to bring that ministry to an end. But even so there is only gain, since the ministry is not an end in itself, and it is now swallowed up in the glorious delight of the unshielded presence of the exalted Jesus himself.” -CarsonEMILY: his courage to live or die for Christ came because Christ had become the motive of everything he did, and the source of all of his strength. To die after such a life would only mean gain because death was his ticket to be in the presence of Christ , and also, dying before Rome would bear witness to the power of the gospel. What man would die for something he didn't fully believe in? 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Sorry Emily, I am on a Carson kick lol“What can you possibly do with Christians like that? Kill them?! You simply cannot hush them up; Christ means too much to them, the gospel is too central for them. As for Paul, it is not in his power to choose between service here and departing to be with Christ, between living and dying, between being released from prison for more gospel ministry and paying the ultimate price—thus being released into the presence of the exalted Christ. Yet suppose he could choose. What would he do? “I do not know!” (1:22b), he frankly admits. That is, he has no word from the Lord as to what is going to happen and therefore what he ought to choose under such hypothetical circumstances. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (1:23–24). By “remain in the body” he means being acquitted before the imperial court and released from prison, for then he would be free to continue his apostolic ministry to the benefit of the Philippians and others.” - CarsonEMILY: I think verse 24 is a prime example of the importance and the urgency of the Gospel. Because when Paul is saying it's better for him to stay alive for the sake of his brothers and sisters, rather than move on to that eternal rest and joy in the presence of the Lord, for something to be temporarily better than that must be pretty important. Sharing the Gospel, and also encouraging other believers. This verse shows us how vital it is that we are doing these things.“There is, however, no interest in Paul's state of health as such! Everything is subordinate to the preaching of the gospel. Paul's ultimate vindication from God is assured, and he is confident that just as always in the past so, too, now Christ will be glorified in his body. In v. 20 the issues of life and death are clearly subordinated to Christ's being glorified in Paul. But within the paragraph of vv. 21–26 death and life are examined as alternatives in the light of their benefit for Paul and his readers. The perspective has changed somewhat.” - O'Brien25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.“Throughout this passage, Paul uses “I” extensively, which speaks to his intimate relationship with the Philippians. However, he also speaks as a representative believer, for every Christian can say that death is gain, for our hope of salvation is sure. Paul uses the representative “I” in 1 Corinthians 13:1–13, as he similarly includes all believers: “If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”” - Cohick“...Thus 1:25–26 turns to look ahead in the letter. Yet these verses also serve to complete Paul's argument that began in 1:12, where he spoke of the “advance” or progress of the gospel, and here he speaks of the Philippians' “progress,” repeating the same verb. In 1:12 the advancement is both the gospel being made known to many and the emboldening of believers in testifying to that message. The same meaning can be understood in 1:25, that the Philippians will boldly preach the gospel and live a life that matches the message they proclaim.” - Cohick Life Worthy of the Gospel27 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 28 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. Striving together = συναθλοῦντες which is like fighting together, vigorously cooperating with each other, or competing together with others. This is also a military-type term.Last week we talked about εὐαγγέλιον and προκοπὴν also being military-esqu. Remember, Philippi is a town full of the retired Roman military! Paul wanted to make sure that this letter spoke to his audience!“Paul offers a second way the Philippians can think about standing firm, that is, to not fear their opponents. The verb “to fear” can be used to describe a herd of stampeding horses, wild and out of control in their panic. While horses are created with the “flight, not fight” instinct, Paul indicates that believers need not run blindly or anxiously from those who harbor ill will toward them.Why should the Philippians bravely stand firm? Because God has accomplished their salvation. The term “salvation” in Paul generally means one's eternal life with God, but it also carries a more mundane meaning in Greek: deliverance from trouble. Paul has both meanings in view, as he is convinced that the Philippians' steadfast declaration of the gospel will prevail against any forces of evil. In this Paul reveals a mystery of the faith, namely, that a believer's steadfastness in the face of opposition has spiritual ramifications greater than the immediate situation. For example, in the beginning of Job, God and the Adversary discuss Job's potential reaction to suffering. What Job does not realize is that his subsequent faithfulness in the face of dreadful circumstances has ramifications in the spiritual realm; Job helps defeat the Adversary's plan and advance the larger cause of righteousness through his own obedience. In a similar manner, Paul shows the Philippians that their lack of fear in the face of suffering carries with it greater spiritual ramifications than their personal maturity in the faith. It also signals the ultimate overthrow of evil and the victory of God in Christ. The guilt of the oppressors is displayed in their persecution of the righteous, and their ultimate destruction comforts those afflicted now. Paul reminds the Philippians that God's victory in Christ is sure. He is not arguing that believers chase down suffering and oppression as though to prove their faith, only that they stand fast when waves of suffering and struggle threaten to knock them over.” - CohickEMILY: Yes, and I think a key thing here in Paul telling them not to be frightened is that he tells them they need to be standing firm in ONE spirit, with ONE mind, striving side by side. He's showing them the need for unity when moving the Gospel forward. If we are going to be victorious in standing strong in our faith and not waver on truth, we have to be in community with one another, studying together and encouraging each other in the Gospel we know is true. It's why Jesus says in John 13:35 that people will know his disciples by their love for one another. When God's people stand together, those who are against God will see that. But when we don't stand firm together, we are more vulnerable to the enemy's schemes, and that includes being intimidated by culture and being afraid of what people will think or do to us because of our faith. And when the church stands firm, we are a picture of the victory of Christ. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.“Paul writes here that God gave to the Philippians two things: belief in Christ and suffering for Christ. Both of these infinitives are in the present tense, indicating a current and continuing situation. Looking at the first phrase, “to believe in him [Christ],” Paul uses this phrase when speaking to the Galatians: “we have come to believe in Christ Jesus” (2:16; see also Rom 10:10, 14). In Galatians, Paul stresses the distinction between works of the law and belief in Christ in terms of justification. In Philippians, Paul emphasizes the present and ongoing action of believing in Christ, parallel with the current and ongoing suffering experienced by the Philippians. This is the only place in Philippians where Paul uses the verb “to believe,” but its cognate noun “faith, belief” is used several times (e.g., 1:25, 27). In 1:27, “the faith of the gospel” is a unique phrase in Paul and likely carries both the sense of faith as the content of the gospel message and the act of faith that the gospel message generates in believers. Lest we imagine that faith in Christ is merely intellectual acceptance of cold facts, Paul conjoins faith and suffering in his picture of the Christian life. For Paul, suffering only makes sense and is bearable because of the immeasurably rich faith—our belief in the sure, faithful work of Christ—that is the gift God gives to every believer. Paul reassures the Philippians that suffering is redemptive inasmuch as it testifies to Christ's work on the cross. Suffering is an expected aspect of the end of the current age dominated by sin and oppression. But suffering does not have the final word; God will gain the victory, as evidenced already in Christ's resurrection, which is the gospel that the Philippians confess.” - CohickEMILY: The privileges enjoyed by Christians include the ability not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him. If we're questioning if it's okay to see suffering as a privilege and a gracious gift, we must remember that the NT rewards suffering as God's means of achieving his gracious purposes both in his own SON (HEB 2:10 where it talks about bringing sons and daughters to glory through Christ's suffering) and in all believers JAMES 1:3-4 (testing of faith produces perseverance) 1 PETER 1:6-7 (rejoice in trials because they prove the genuineness of your faith). While in our human minds suffering sounds awful, you would never call that a privilege, but here Paul is saying that suffering brings you closer to unity with Christ, and also to unity with your Christian brothers and sisters that are being persecuted. Which is the whole goal, right? To be united with Christ and that his bride would be united as well.“Sin is not a living thing, of course, so one cannot suppose that sin literally has a perspective. But the category is useful, even if metaphorical, because it helps us see what the cross achieved with respect to sin. The answer to that question is highly diverse in the Bible, because sin can be thought of in so many ways. Sin can be thought of as a debt: I owe something I cannot pay. In that case the cross is seen as the means by which the debt is paid. One sometimes reads on Christmas cards the two-line poem, He came to pay a debt he did not owe, Because we owed a debt we could not pay. That is exactly right. That is what the cross achieved. Sin can also be thought of as a stain. In that case the dirt is removed by the death of Christ. Or sin is offense before God. In that case we insist that the cross expiates our sin, it cancels it and thus removes it. But regardless of what imagery is used to depict the foulness and odiousness of sin, the cross is the solution, the sole solution.” - CarsonEndingMegan: The Bold Movement is a ministry that helps Christian women gain confidence in their Biblical literacy, faith, and evangelism through customizable content strategically created to work with our community support to enhance and expand the kingdom of God. Emily: We'll be back next week and we hope you join us. This is a quick reminder that you can partner with us through our patreon at patreon.com/theboldmovement. Okay ladies until next time, go out and be bold.

Are we married to Jesus?  If you're like me it can be confusing to read about Jesus being the groom and we are his bride.  Where does this language of covenant marriage come from, and why is it used to describe our covenant with God?  For Paul and the Jewish believers in Rome, this issue arises.  The Jewish believers still feared that they were being adulterous if they "abandoned" the law in order to follow Jesus.  So how does Paul ease their fears?    To find more "Uncensored Christian" content including Video versions of the podcast, Social Media links, and more use the Link down below!https://lnk.bio/dantewIf you would like to support this podcast financially you can give online by clicking here https://paypal.me/uchristianpod?locale.x=en_US . Your gift helps this podcast reach more people around the world!If you have questions or would like to reach out, email uchristianpod@gmail.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/dantebwill/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UChristianPodcast 

What do you live for? What purposes or plans or perspectives motivate you? For Paul, he found purpose in magnifying Christ -- whether by life or by death. BIBLE VERSE References: PHILIPPIANS 1:19-30 | GENESIS 2:17 | 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 | EPHESIANS 3:1 | HEBREWS 13:3 | PSALM 139:16 | JOB 14:1,5 | MATTHEW 6:27 | REVELATION 9:6 | PSALM 90:12 | JOB 13:15 | 2 CORINTHIANS 11:23 | ACTS 14:19,20 | JOHN 12:25 | 1 JOHN 2:15 | GALATIANS 2:20 | PSALM 116:3 | DANIEL 12:2 | MATTHEW 22:13 | MATTHEW 25:46 | 2 THESSALONIANS 1:9 | REVELATION 20:10 | ROMANS 3:10-12 | NUMBER 6:24-26

Everyone wants to win at life. Whether it's in your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your friendships, or in your job, we want to win. It defines who you are. It sets the course of your life. What's that look like to you? For Paul, first Thessalonians chapter 3 tells us that it's about your faith. Five times he mentions faith. One commentator says faith isn't everything but it most certainly is the most important thing. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is how we come to Christ and faith is how we live for Christ. Join me this week as we explore our win, our faith lived out in all aspects of our lives. Todd

Part 5 of the Church in the World: Studies in 1 Corinthians – The Corinthian Christians lived in a corrupt and contentious society, and it appears that their church was no different. For Paul this was nothing but shameful. This … Continue reading → The post Church Discipline first appeared on Cornerstone.

The Daily Radio Bible Podcast takes listeners through the Bible in one year with Hunter Barnes. Listen on Spotify  Google Podcast  or Apple Podcasts   become an ambassador for the podcast and share with your friends.  Share with one person and I'll give you a shout out on the podcast, share with 10 and I'll send you a "You Are Loved" t-shirt!  CLICK HERE TO SHARE  or visit us at www.dailyradiobible.comMusic provided by David Nevue find out more at www.davidnevue.com  Transcript begins here: Paul was convinced of something...that God loved, and chose this little community in Thessalinica. He says, so here in verse 4, we know dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you, and has chosen you to be his own people. Now, it was no small thing for Paul to say such things. For Paul to have such an opinion of these people, for Paul to look at Gentile people who were different from him, people who had not kept kosher, people who had not adhere to Jewish laws and customs. Paul would have grown up thinking these people were not loved. They were not chosen. So for him to be convinced otherwise now,  was a huge thing. It was evidence of something really big happening in Paul's mind and heart. It was evidence of Paul having encountered Jesus. That's what Jesus will do. He will change how you see others. You'll begin to see others, those outside of your community the way God sees them. He sees them as loved, and chosen. meet Jesus. And you'll see that too. Any theology that is void of an encounter with Jesus will fail to see this.  Most often, it'll instead begin to suffocate this amazing news to the point where it only applies to those people that are like me or, like us, my race, my politics, my theological persuasion. But when we encountered Jesus, you like Paul, will have a radical revolution in your mind and heart. You'll start seeing and proclaiming this news to everyone, not just your own people. Paul describes this in verse 8, where he says, and now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia, and these people were also having an encounter with Jesus. And the results were the same. Now, people everywhere were awakening to the reality that they too, are loved. They too are chosen of God. And the prayer of my own heart today is that I will encounter the one who changes the way you see the way you think. So that the parameters of God's love in my own heart will extend to the world. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the period that I have for you. May it be so  

Some memories fade...others do not. For Paul, he was clinging to the joyous memories he had of fellowshipping with the believers in Philippi -- those precious people who had come to know God as he did. He saw the consistent thread of prayer as the foundation of their fellowship, and was confident that God would be faithful to them, even in his own absence. BIBLE VERSE References: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6 | ACTS 9:1-22 | ROMANS 3:23 | MATTHEW 7:21-23 | PSALM 63:1 | 1 PETER 2:25 | ACTS 16:12-40 | ACTS 18:2 | 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17 | MATTHEW 10:28 | 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6 | ISAIAH 49:14-16 | HEBREWS 8:12 | HEBREWS 10:17

As Paul lays out his blueprint for a healthy church, he stresses the importance of godly leaders. For Paul, leadership in the church is not about setting up the right structures. Its more about finding the right people. Paul is much more concerned with godly character than leadership skills and competence. Paul says we ought to look for people of godly character who will lead the church in godliness (Titus 1:1).

Today’s guest ‘Paul Glover calls himself the No B S ‘Work Performance’ Coach. This podcast is about how he earned that reputation. Paul’s childhood was strongly influenced by his father, a union man at GM who hated his job but strongly stood up for the rights of the workforce. This is what inspired Paul to become a Labour Lawyer. So, after military service he dedicated his attention to building his career, eventually rising to become Vice President and Labour Lawyer for the organization he worked for.   “As With Every Good Story, There’s An Up and a Down” Paul’s down was his inability to resist opportunities to receive kickbacks and bribes and he had a business partner who was prone to drug and cocaine abuse. This was a lethal combination that led to some pretty dubious activities. Being found out, and having his partner testify against him, culminated in a 5½ year prison sentence.   “If I had not gone to prison I would have died” Being incarcerated gave Paul plenty of time for resentment and reflection on the direction his life was heading. Boredom eventually led to studying religion and philosophy. But, coming out of prison was a rude awakening to the realities of finding a job and being snubbed by people he used to know.   “They tell you, you’ve done your time and everything will be okay. It’s not going to be okay!” However, Paul did manage to turn things around and has put his life experiences to good use. Being a labour lawyer gave him definitive insights and opportunities to understand people objectively. Being a union negotiator taught him how to deal with and stand up to conflict. In prison Paul also learnt how to avoid conflict, engage people who are emotionally distraught and support people through difficult situations.   “Everybody earns their scars, and you should be able to learn from them. After all, you’ve paid the pain price to get them.” These life experiences have enabled Paul to become the no b.s. coach he is today. He believes there is a lot of untapped potential in people, and his driving passion is to draw that out. Paul is not afraid to address the blind spots people don’t want to talk about. So his contribution is to help his clients see the cause of a problem and support them through the process of overcoming it. Paul says success is being relevant, interesting and memorable as someone who cares. And, the meaning of life is to fulfill your potential and be the best person you can be. For Paul, that means having a positive impact on the people he meets every day.     Thank you for joining me with Paul Glover the No B.S. Coach. His links are below along with opportunities to enjoy more podcasts and other resources on the Life Passion & Business website. Support for Podcasters: If you enjoy a podcast please show your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It supports your favourite podcasters and their guests.       Paul Glover's Links: Website: paulglovercoaching.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulglovercoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulglovercoaching/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkj_nEe19_77icGFqq_jzmg Paul’s book WorkQuake: Making the Seismic Shift to a “Knowledge Economy” is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/WorkQuake-Making-Seismic-Knowledge-Economy-ebook/dp/B006894EPE     Life Passion & Business links: Free eBook: https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/the-five-questions New Event: https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/people-planet-progress Support The Podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion

In another unplugged episode, Jimmy has a lengthy and entertaining chat with writer Paul Cornell and artist Emma Vieceli. They talk about their collaboration on the new comic book THE MODERN FRANKENSTEIN. Would you do something unethical for the greater good? How is it influenced by Shelley's Frankenstein? What real world problems does it tackle? They also talk about some of their other current and upcoming work. For Paul, I WALK WITH  MONSTERS is finishing up soon and he has a few other projects in the works. And for Emma, she continues writing LIFE IS STRANGE and drawing BREAKS and talks about she is part of a Dungeons and Dragons and Drawing Twitch stream.  A fun and laid back chat. Thanks to Paul and Emma for taking the time! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Consider supporting Yin & Young on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast Dan and James are back with an enlightening chat with artist Paul Hoi! Paul shares his background, his artistic passions, and some of his thoughts about being Asian in America. Highlights: - Paul Chan by birth, but goes by Paul Hoi so as not to be mistaken for Paul Chan the art critic. - Is bad with naming his artwork so sometimes he just numbers them. - James and Paul met while working at the Apple store. Both did a lot of customer service Mandarin and Cantonese translations, respectively. - Came to the U.S. as an immigrant child from Hong Kong. As a child, he tried hard not to stand out and sought solitude. - Parents supportive even in his artistic pursuits. They made it clear to his sister and him growing up that they should not have to worry about money. - Has done a number of odd jobs: dog walker, property management, art gallery work. - Working at an art gallery, he realized he disliked the business side of art. - Learned different techniques from art class, but not a fan of the structured learning of art. - Began as an illustrator, which eventually led to photography. Is now is branching out into CGI. - For Paul, the most time consuming part of creating an art piece is conceptualizing what to make. - Likes to study space, landscapes, shapes in his work. Wants to create places that he wishes exist in real life. - Discussion about the pathos of Chinatown and how Asians have had to become self-reliant. LANGUAGE CORNER Spanish: Copia de seguridad - secure back up Mandarin: 雲碟 - yún dié - cloud drive 夜景 - yèjǐng - nightscape Japanese: Dan: アプリ - apuri - applications Paul: 七転び八起き - nanakorobi yaoki - Fall down seven times, get up eight. Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @yinyoungpodcast. Like and subscribe to our content so you don’t miss an episode. Credits: This episode was produced by James Y. Shih and Daniel Yin. Edited by Gabriel Toya-Meléndez Follow Yin & Young: - Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast - iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2 - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/ - Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/rkrynzq - Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast Comments, questions? Email us at yinyoungpodcast@gmail.com.

Resources Used: Hey guys this is Megan Rawlings and you are listening to the Talk Bible to Me podcast presented by The Bold Movement.Hey there, and welcome back to season 3 of the Talk Bible to Me podcast. I am so pumped that you are here to study the book of Philippians with me. If you are new to our podcast, YAY!!! I am glad you found us. Go ahead and grab a Bible and we can study together. If you're driving or something else, don't worry about it, I will read it to you. Real quick, I want to let you know that this podcast is an extension of The Bold Movement which is a ministry that trains women to boldly step into their role in the kingdom of God. There are tons of free resources on the website as well as Bible studies that not only teach you Scripture but also how to study it, and podcasts episodes just like this one. This is all designed to help you grow in your faith and find your role and purpose. You can visit our website at www.theboldmovement.com. Today's episode is presented by listeners like you who have committed to supporting The Bold Movement through our Patreon page. Those supporters are mentioned later on and you can be too, just visit www.patreon.com/theboldmovement. Okay sis, Here's how we work. We will read a verse or two of Scripture and then we will pause to work through it and discuss what it means. I will name the resources we are using as well as post them on our website so you can familiarize yourself with them too. With that being said -- let's study Philippians chapter 1 verses 1 through 11.Today, I am going to be reading from the New Living Translation, often referred to as the NLT.1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.Okay, I am going to stop here because there are a few things I want to talk about with this first part of verse 1. You may know that Paul was Saul. Some have preached that there was a name change when he converted to Christianity. There is actually not a lot of evidence of this theory. In reality, most scholars agree that Paul and Saul were the same, just said differently based on region and language. For example, George and Jorge. Same name, just different region, and language. So, according to Peter O'Brien, Παῦλος (‘Paul') in Greek is the name used by the apostle in the Hellenistic-Roman world in place of the Jewish name ‘Saul'. Does that make sense? Email us or contact us on social media and let us know what you think about Paul/Saul and show us how you came to the conclusion. Now, let's talk about Timothy. God ole' Timmy traveled with Paul and was mentioned in quite a few of his letters; 2 Corinthians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians. Later in this letter, we learn that the Philippians have a “special attachment” with Timothy and we address this and learn about it in chapter 2. Finally, I want to talk about the last part of this sentence when Paul calls himself and Timothy “slaves of Christ Jesus.” In his commentary on Philippians, Gordon Fee said, “To be sure, the institution of slavery in antiquity was a far cry from the racial slavery that blighted American society—and the English society that made it possible by the slave trade. Even so, the slave in the Roman Empire was not a free person, but “belonged to” another.” So what I want to do is dive into this a little deeper because the word doulos, or slave, holds a lot of weight. This phrase is lost on us in translation and I want it to be more clear what Paul is saying. Translations in the English language sometimes refer to this word as a servant. However, this seems to take the significance out of the word. In Paul's day, a slave was owned legally by someone and had no freedom outside of what their owner allowed. This concept was understood among the church in Philippi as some of the members were slaves, and some could have owned slaves. So, Paul uses this idea as a metaphor for his allegiance and sacrifice to Jesus. I do want to give a better understanding of slavery during this time though! As stated earlier, slavery was very different than what was happening in America during the nineteenth century. In her commentary on Philippians, Lynn Cohick said, “Ancient Israel practiced slavery, and the Old Testament includes numerous stories about it. One of the most famous slaves is Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, Abraham's first son (Gen 16:1–15). Recall too Israel's enslavement in Egypt, the defining moment in their history when God delivered them out of Egypt, “the land of slavery,” and brought them to the land he had promised (Exod 12:40–13:3). Thus at key points in Israel's history, slavery played a role. But later Israelites owned other Israelites or Gentiles, who were enslaved through wars or to pay debts. Laws established appropriate treatment of slaves and restricted abuse (21:1–27). God's people were to release fellow slaves in the seventh year of their enslavement (Lev 25:39–43).In addition, in the Old Testament the terms “slavery” and “slave” are used metaphorically, often translated as “the servant of the Lord” (ʿebed YHWH). Such a person had divine authority from God to speak and act on his behalf. For example, Numbers 12:7 speaks of his servant/slave Moses, who was faithful in God's house and to whom God spoke face to face (see also Jer 25:4; Ezek 38:17). Drawing on the Exodus narrative, Israel understood itself as God's slave, based on the exclusive covenant that Israel's God had established at Mount Sinai. Like a slave, Israel was to obey their God in all things, especially by rejecting idolatry.”Okay, now that we have dissected the first part of verse one, let's continue with the second part. I am writing to all of God's holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.Holy people can also be translated as saints. Cohick said, “Our modern understanding of the term carries a sense of human perfection preserved in stained glass windows -- a dar cry from our average existence.” The Old Testament tells us that a holy nation (or holy people) are those who keep God's commandments. In the second century, the church started a process of how to become a saint for both the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Cohick says, “They define a sain as one who has demonstrated extraordinary piety, such as Mother Teresa, or attribute to him or her miracles based o the intercession before God.” Do not confuse second-century sainthood with the way Paul terms the members of the church in Philippi.Notice that at the end of the verse, Paul includes church leaders and deacons. Church leaders here come from the Greek word episkopos. Because I want you to really understand this, I am going to quote Peter O'Brien. He says, “ἐπίσκοπος in classical and Septuagint Greek (from Homer on) meant an ‘overseer', and was used to describe a deity (cf. Job 20:29) as the one who keeps watch over a country or people. The title was also given to men who held responsible positions in the state, including those with judicial functions, councillors, treasurers, and military strategists, or who were overseers of religious communities, such as temple officials (cf. Nu. 4:16; 31:14; Jdg. 9:28, etc.). This one word described a variety of offices and functions, although the notion of ‘oversight' appears to have been common to all of them. At Qumran, the ‘overseer' or ‘supervisor' (meḇaqqēr) was regarded as the shepherd and spiritual father of the community. Although not a priest, he knew the law and was responsible for all decisions about ‘the camp' and the full members. He also controlled the community's welfare funds (CD 13:7–9; 1QS 6:12, 20). Some writers have argued that the title corresponds literally to the Greek ἐπίσκοπος and might have been the model for the NT ‘overseer'.The word group was less common in the NT than in the LXX, with ἐπίσκοπος occurring five times, ἐπισκοπή on four occasions, ἐπισκέπτομαι eleven times, and ἐπισκοπέω once. The Ephesian elders (πρεσβύτεροι) who meet Paul at Miletus are called ἐπίσκοποι (Acts 20:28), and according to H. W. Beyer they are a definite circle of members from this settled congregation who are its regular leaders. The qualifications required for this office are spelled out in the Pastorals at 1 Tim. 3:2 and Tit. 1:7. Although the exact nature of the work performed by ἐπίσκοποι is not mentioned, at the heart of it lies the ministry of oversight, supervision, or protective care. The climactic use of this title occurs at 1 Pet. 2:25, where Jesus is described as ‘the shepherd and guardian (ἐπίσκοπος) of your souls'.” The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos. This is often associated with someone who serves. In the early church, these were the folks who ministered to the sick and shut-in. They helped take care of the day-to-day stuff so that the elders (or teacher/preachers) could study and prepare their messages. These two positions are addressed with the rest of the members of the church of Philippi.So, now we have verse one complete, let's move on to the next. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.If you will remember, Philippi is under Roman authority. Paul is declaring Jesus as Lord which is probably in response to the culture of this day claiming that the Roman Emporer, probably Nero. was lord. This is a pretty big deal at this time.Alright, ladies, I know we are only on verse 2 -- but we are going to make a lot of headway in these next 9 verses, I promise. However, before we move on to the rest of our passage today, we have a quick message from our sponsors.We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a message from our sponsors. We are able to continue podcast episodes like this because of our Patreon supporters, Jerri Lewis, Kelsey Graf, Soyon Barber, Julie Carter, Amy Mathis, Jill Walters, and Dave Hanzel. If you like what you hear, would you consider becoming a partner of The Bold Movement? Our plans range from $5 a month to $50 a month with exciting incentives for growing Christian women. Just visit www.patreon.com/theboldmovement.Listen, sis, you can get your name read off too if you join our Patreon supporters and become financial supporters of this podcast and ministry. We hope you will consider supporting our ministry with your prayers we would love for you to become a patreon supporter. Now let's get back to the Philippians.3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.This part of Philippians is the thanksgiving paragraph. Remember that Paul and the members of the Church in Philippi have a close relationship for years at this point. Notice he says he thanks God every time he thinks of them. I recently heard a clinical psychologist say that your brain is incapable of experiencing fear or anxiety when it is experiencing gratitude. We will talk more in-depth about this later on in Philippians, but I want you to keep that nugget of truth in your back pocket. When we are grateful and give our thanks to God even over simple things like knowing special people in our lives, we are not allowing room for things that are not of God. Name your blessings out loud. Let your head hear your heart. Let me say that again… let your head hear your heart. This is literally the way God wired us.Okay ladies, time for a fun fact… but if you get confused easily… don't pay attention to this part. According to D.A. Carson, “The NIV reads, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (1:3). But others suggest “I thank my God every time you remember me,” or something similar. The original is ambiguous. Lynn Cohick mentions this very thing in her commentary on Philippians too! Nonetheless, as stated here, the original language is ambiguous. But something that is not is the word used for thanks in Philippians.Peter O'Brien says, “Certainly the English word ‘thanksgiving' is rather more limited in its range of meanings since it normally denotes the expression of gratitude for personal benefits received and is to that extent rather man-centered. But this sort of notion does not fit Paul's language, for, as here, he regularly gives thanks for graces wrought in the lives of others by God, particularly those within the churches of the Gentile mission.” The final part of this section says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” This passage is very popular and used on thank you cards. I love this passage because Paul has such an extreme confidence in these Christians; however, his confidence is not reliant on them, but rather what God is doing and will continue to do with them. Pauls's assurance is found in His knowledge that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him -- and the Philippians have proven they love Him.7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. Cohick says, “Paul also underscores his own strong affections toward them. The Greek text literally reads that Paul's “affection” lies deep in the bowels—not the place most moderns locate their affections! But even if we use a different body part to locate our intense emotions, we can appreciate Paul's sentiment. He wants the Philippians to know that he is sincerely thankful for and appreciative of their unending generosity. This “affection” is the love “of Christ Jesus”; no deeper love can a person express than that demonstrated in and through Christ. Such affection creates in Paul a deep yearning for this church, and he is likely alluding to his hope to be reunited with them.” The bowel thing is true -- have you ever had a nervous stomach? Have you ever had “butterflies in your tunny” this is the reason Paul (and most in that culture) associate emotions with the stomach because that is where we feel things. Funny, right?8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.Most other translations will say something to the tune of “God as my witness.” Something I find interesting is that some scholars say that Paul claims God as his witness because people during this time were careful to watch for flatterers. Again, Cohick says, “In the ancient world, orators told you what you wanted to hear in order to get what they wanted from you: food, recommendations, and social advancement. But no one in Paul's day would have been as cavalier with God's name as to bring it forward as a witness if they were lying. Chrysostom asks: “Now had he been flattering them, he would not have called God to witness, for this cannot be done without peril.”9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.So up to this point, Paul has addressed that he is constantly praying for the Philippians. This is the part where he tells us what he's praying about. Let's bullet these:He prays thatTheir love will overflow more and moreThey will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding - because he wants them to see what actually matters so they can live pure and blameless lives.Let me ask you a question… have you ever thought about praying these things over your closest Christian friends? What would the Church, as a whole, look like if we actually did this?Finally, let's break down verse 11:Okay, what I am about to share with you hurt me a little, so if it hurts you too -- I am sorry, but I am not actually sorry.D.A. Carson dropped this truth bomb on me, “For Paul, this is not an idolatrous prayer. For some people, of course, it could become just that. For perfectionists, perfection, at least in some arenas where they excel, becomes a kind of fetish, even a large idol. But this is not the case with Paul. The excellence for which he prays, for himself and for others, is further defined in verse 11: being “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. . . .” Moreover, none of this will be allowed simply to enhance our reputations—for sad to say, some people are more interested in a reputation for holiness and excellence than in holiness and excellence. But all such petty alternatives are swept aside in Paul's final constraint: his prayer is offered up “to the glory and praise of God” (1:11).”Now it's time for the what now portion of Talk Bible to Me:I want to ask you a question. What do your prayers look like? Are you only praying a rehearsed mantra before you eat? Are you praying for matters that are mostly removed from gospel interests? Those who pray, in themselves, are not bad, but if we are only praying about our health, comfort, job, kids, etc. I think we start to miss the entire point.I want you to truly grasp the weight of prayers and the force behind them. D.A. Carson asks, “But where is our gospel focus? Read through the letters of Paul and copy out his prayers. Ask yourself what it is he asks for. Observe how consistently most of his petitions are gospel-related. Are we being faithful to Scripture if most of our petitions are not? Put the gospel first. And that means you must put the priorities of the gospel at the center of your prayer life.”Okay, sis, that's all I got for you this time. Be sure to tune in next week to study Philippians 1:12-18.The Bold Movement is a ministry that helps Christian women gain confidence in their Biblical literacy, faith, and evangelism through customizable content strategically created to work with our community support to enhance and expand the kingdom of God. I'll be back next week and I hope you join me. This is a quick reminder that you can partner with us through our patreon at patreon.com/theboldmovement. Okay ladies next time, go out and be bold.

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 33–34 Deuteronomy 33–34 (Listen) Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel 33 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2 He said,   “The LORD came from Sinai    and dawned from Seir upon us;1    he shone forth from Mount Paran;  he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,    with flaming fire2 at his right hand.3   Yes, he loved his people,3    all his holy ones were in his4 hand;  so they followed5 in your steps,    receiving direction from you,4   when Moses commanded us a law,    as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.5   Thus the LORD6 became king in Jeshurun,    when the heads of the people were gathered,    all the tribes of Israel together. 6   “Let Reuben live, and not die,    but let his men be few.” 7 And this he said of Judah:   “Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah,    and bring him in to his people.  With your hands contend7 for him,    and be a help against his adversaries.” 8 And of Levi he said,   “Give to Levi8 your Thummim,    and your Urim to your godly one,  whom you tested at Massah,    with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah;9   who said of his father and mother,    ‘I regard them not’;  he disowned his brothers    and ignored his children.  For they observed your word    and kept your covenant.10   They shall teach Jacob your rules    and Israel your law;  they shall put incense before you    and whole burnt offerings on your altar.11   Bless, O LORD, his substance,    and accept the work of his hands;  crush the loins of his adversaries,    of those who hate him, that they rise not again.” 12 Of Benjamin he said,   “The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety.  The High God9 surrounds him all day long,    and dwells between his shoulders.” 13 And of Joseph he said,   “Blessed by the LORD be his land,    with the choicest gifts of heaven above,10    and of the deep that crouches beneath,14   with the choicest fruits of the sun    and the rich yield of the months,15   with the finest produce of the ancient mountains    and the abundance of the everlasting hills,16   with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness    and the favor of him who dwells in the bush.  May these rest on the head of Joseph,    on the pate of him who is prince among his brothers.17   A firstborn bull11—he has majesty,    and his horns are the horns of a wild ox;  with them he shall gore the peoples,    all of them, to the ends of the earth;  they are the ten thousands of Ephraim,    and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” 18 And of Zebulun he said,   “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out,    and Issachar, in your tents.19   They shall call peoples to their mountain;    there they offer right sacrifices;  for they draw from the abundance of the seas    and the hidden treasures of the sand.” 20 And of Gad he said,   “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad!    Gad crouches like a lion;    he tears off arm and scalp.21   He chose the best of the land for himself,    for there a commander’s portion was reserved;  and he came with the heads of the people,    with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD,    and his judgments for Israel.” 22 And of Dan he said,   “Dan is a lion’s cub    that leaps from Bashan.” 23 And of Naphtali he said,   “O Naphtali, sated with favor,    and full of the blessing of the LORD,    possess the lake12 and the south.” 24 And of Asher he said,   “Most blessed of sons be Asher;    let him be the favorite of his brothers,    and let him dip his foot in oil.25   Your bars shall be iron and bronze,    and as your days, so shall your strength be. 26   “There is none like God, O Jeshurun,    who rides through the heavens to your help,    through the skies in his majesty.27   The eternal God is your dwelling place,13    and underneath are the everlasting arms.14  And he thrust out the enemy before you    and said, ‘Destroy.’28   So Israel lived in safety,    Jacob lived alone,15  in a land of grain and wine,    whose heavens drop down dew.29   Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you,    a people saved by the LORD,  the shield of your help,    and the sword of your triumph!  Your enemies shall come fawning to you,    and you shall tread upon their backs.” The Death of Moses 34 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, 6 and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Footnotes [1] 33:2 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew them [2] 33:2 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [3] 33:3 Septuagint; Hebrew peoples [4] 33:3 Hebrew your [5] 33:3 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [6] 33:5 Hebrew Thus he [7] 33:7 Probable reading; Hebrew With his hands he contended [8] 33:8 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint; Masoretic Text lacks Give to Levi [9] 33:12 Septuagint; Hebrew dwells in safety by him. He [10] 33:13 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Targum; Hebrew with the dew [11] 33:17 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint, Samaritan; Masoretic Text His firstborn bull [12] 33:23 Or west [13] 33:27 Or a dwelling place [14] 33:27 Revocalization of verse 27 yields He subdues the ancient gods, and shatters the forces of old [15] 33:28 Hebrew the abode of Jacob was alone (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 96 Psalm 96 (Listen) Worship in the Splendor of Holiness 96   Oh sing to the LORD a new song;    sing to the LORD, all the earth!2   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;    tell of his salvation from day to day.3   Declare his glory among the nations,    his marvelous works among all the peoples!4   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;    he is to be feared above all gods.5   For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,    but the LORD made the heavens.6   Splendor and majesty are before him;    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;    bring an offering, and come into his courts!9   Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;1    tremble before him, all the earth! 10   Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;    he will judge the peoples with equity.” 11   Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12     let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13     before the LORD, for he comes,    for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness,    and the peoples in his faithfulness. Footnotes [1] 96:9 Or in holy attire (ESV) New Testament: Acts 20 Acts 20 (Listen) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.3 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by4 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,5 which he obtained with his own blood.6 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Footnotes [1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium [3] 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ [4] 20:22 Or bound in [5] 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord [6] 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own (ESV)

At last, we get stuck into Marillion's classic Afraid of Sunlight! For Paul, this is one of the greatest albums the band have ever made, containing classics like King, Beyond You, Beautiful and Out of this World... but will Sanja feel the same way? One thing they definitely can agree on is that this is definitely not a concept album. Except when it is. Which it never is. Or is it...?You can support this podcast at www.patreon.com/mrbiffo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are you building your life upon. Where and what is solid in your life? Paul tells you what he is building his life upon, and he is admonishing us to do the same. For Paul, he is building his life on the cornerstone, the foundation of Christ Jesus. Jesus is the ground from which we build. Our lives find their complete and truest definition and meaning in Him. And Paul wants us to rest assure that the truest thing about us will find its way though, will ultimately be known. It may be through fire, and that fire is the white hot fire of God's love, burning up from us all that is not of Christ and God's love. It's easy to build on something other than what is true, and it's easy to find ourselves building with things that are not worthy of the foundation, and who we are. Paul wants us to be wise here, not to be deceived. So Paul directs us once again to the truth of our being. "you belong to Christ, that's where you are, thats who you are, build your life there, And Christ belongs to God. That's where he is, in his father's life and embrace, and you are there too. amen.

As we head into II Corinthians 11, Paul's confrontation of the false teachers who are attempting to lead the Corinthian church astray does not let up. Their devotion to Christ is on the line. Paul lays out in detail how his ministry is completely different than theirs. He doesn't bring rhetorical genius to the table. He brings his scars of love. As we read, a deep reflective pause is in order. As a Jesus follower, we know the destiny of people who say "no" to Jesus. For Paul, that reality influenced every part of his life. It's our turn to meet people with grace. We have been sent here by God for just such a time as this. Take some time to read II Corinthians 11 this week.

What if you had to stand trial for your faith? So far in America, our freedom to express our faith and live openly as believers is still in tact. But that wasn't the case in Paul's day. His enemies wanted him silenced. They arrested him and forced him to stand trial on three separate occasions. For Paul each trial was an opportunity to testify to the grace of God. He didn't shrink back from the task. He stood strong. It makes me wonder how I would fare in the same situation? How about you? How would you fare? If you are like me, you picture yourself doing just like Paul boldly proclaiming the Gospel. It's impossible to know for sure. But here's what we do know. If and when that times comes God's grace will be sufficient for the task.

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 53 Psalm 53 (Listen) There Is None Who Does Good To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil1 of David. 53   The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”    They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;    there is none who does good. 2   God looks down from heaven    on the children of man  to see if there are any who understand,2    who seek after God. 3   They have all fallen away;    together they have become corrupt;  there is none who does good,    not even one. 4   Have those who work evil no knowledge,    who eat up my people as they eat bread,    and do not call upon God? 5   There they are, in great terror,    where there is no terror!  For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;    you put them to shame, for God has rejected them. 6   Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!    When God restores the fortunes of his people,    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Footnotes [1] 53:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms [2] 53:2 Or who act wisely (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Genesis 47:27–48:22 Genesis 47:27–48:22 (Listen) 27 Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. 29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.1 Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh 48 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty2 appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ 5 And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. 6 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance3 to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” 8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said,   “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,    the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,16   the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;    and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;    and let them grow into a multitude4 in the midst of the earth.” 17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude5 of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,   “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,  ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope6 that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.” Footnotes [1] 47:31 Hebrew; Septuagint staff [2] 48:3 Hebrew El Shaddai [3] 48:7 Or about two hours’ distance [4] 48:16 Or let them be like fish for multitude [5] 48:19 Hebrew fullness [6] 48:22 Or one portion of the land; Hebrew shekem, which sounds like the town and district called Shechem (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: 2 Chronicles 26 2 Chronicles 26 (Listen) Uzziah Reigns in Judah 26 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers. 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. 6 He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. 7 God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal and against the Meunites. 8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread even to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong. 9 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them. 10 And he built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. 11 Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war, in divisions according to the numbers in the muster made by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king’s commanders. 12 The whole number of the heads of fathers’ houses of mighty men of valor was 2,600. 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500, who could make war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 14 And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. 15 In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. Uzziah’s Pride and Punishment 16 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the LORD who were men of valor, 18 and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the LORD God.” 19 Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy1 broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the LORD, by the altar of incense. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the LORD had struck him. 21 And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was over the king’s household, governing the people of the land. 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz wrote. 23 And Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” And Jotham his son reigned in his place. Footnotes [1] 26:19 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Acts 19:23–20:16 Acts 19:23–20:16 (Listen) 23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs,1 who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?2 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further,3 it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews4 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and5 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Footnotes [1] 19:31 That is, high-ranking officers of the province of Asia [2] 19:35 The meaning of the Greek is uncertain [3] 19:39 Some manuscripts seek about other matters [4] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [5] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium (ESV)

Here is a trustworthy saying, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. For Paul, who described himself as the chief of sinners, this was good news. His sins were big. He persecuted the church and blasphemed God's name. You can't do worse than that. But when he met Jesus he discovered something unexpected. God is rich in mercy. Listen to the words he wrote to Timothy, "I was shown mercy." You may feel right now like you are the chief of sinners and that your sins have put you beyond the reach of God's mercy. If so, let Paul's story ease your mind. He shared it for your benefit So that you can say just as he did "I was shown mercy."

 Let Your Endurance Grow Number 1-2 and Acts 24. We are reading through the NLT. All are accounted for… all 603,550.  These are all the troops of Israel, listed by their family names.  All are warriors ready for battle, ready to march out under the banner of their family name. They are ready to carry out and follow the Ark of God’s Covenant, and go wherever God’s spirit leads them.   And so it is with Paul, too.  Solitary Paul is accounted for every day, for two years, in his prison cell.  Paul, too, is a kind of soldier, ready to go wherever the Spirit of God leads him.  But sometimes God’s leading is to not go anywhere at all.  Sometimes God is not calling you to march forward into new lands.  Sometimes, it’s to stay put.  For Paul, he was to stay put for two years, in prison.  For two years he was brought before his captor, and forced to present himself and his case, only to be sent away, with no change to his status. Sometimes your orders are to just stay put. When they are, it can be discouraging and hard.  It’s important to remember that waiting is a part of God’s plan, too.  James 1:2-4 says, Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Sometimes God is doing a work on the soldier and sometimes that means staying put. It might be two days, it might be two years, it might be two decades.  But God’s got a plan and part of that plan is to work on us.  He’s making an opportunity for us to grow. And our growth comes from tested endurance.  When that endurance is being tested it’s an opportunity for great joy. Remember that you are a soldier of God.  Like the soldiers in Numbers or the soldiers we see in Paul, God’s got a plan.  A big part of God’s plan is awakening us to the transforming power of Christ’s life in us.  That is what gives us the strength to do those hard things like staying put or marching forward. It’s only in the power of Christ in us that we can do any of the things he calls us to.  So be awakened to the life of Christ living in you, that enables you to accomplish more than you can ask for or imagine, whether you’re staying put or marching on. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Eph 3:20)

With family: Genesis 21; Matthew 20 Genesis 21 (Listen) The Birth of Isaac 21 The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.1 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” God Protects Hagar and Ishmael 8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.2 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. A Treaty with Abimelech 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this3 may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba,4 because there both of them swore an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines. Footnotes [1] 21:3 Isaac means he laughs [2] 21:9 Possibly laughing in mockery [3] 21:30 Or you [4] 21:31 Beersheba means well of seven or well of the oath (ESV) Matthew 20 (Listen) Laborers in the Vineyard 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius1 a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’2 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” A Mother’s Request 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,3 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,4 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,5 have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Footnotes [1] 20:2 A denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer [2] 20:15 Or is your eye bad because I am good? [3] 20:26 Greek diakonos [4] 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [5] 20:30 Some manuscripts omit Lord (ESV) In private: Nehemiah 10; Acts 20 Nehemiah 10 (Listen) The People Who Sealed the Covenant 10 “On the seals are the names of1 Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah, 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests. 9 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 10 and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu. 14 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah. The Obligations of the Covenant 28 “The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, 29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes. 30 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31 And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. 32 “We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel2 for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34 We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have likewise cast lots for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law. 35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the LORD; 36 also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; 37 and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor. 38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse. 39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.” Footnotes [1] 10:1 Hebrew lacks the names of [2] 10:32 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams (ESV) Acts 20 (Listen) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.3 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by4 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,5 which he obtained with his own blood.6 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Footnotes [1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19 [2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium [3] 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ [4] 20:22 Or bound in [5] 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord [6] 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own (ESV)

This podcast addresses the most important investment lessons of 2020 from The Merriman Financial Education Foundation’s research team, Chris Pedersen and Daryl Bahls. In each case there is a table/chart/graph that helps illustrate the lesson. (See more below. Also, WATCH as a VIDEO). In this a year-end Zoom call, Chris discusses his recent studies on using “2 Funds for Life after 60” as well as the case for international diversification and how he has created additional past returns for international asset classes that are difficult to find. Paul discusses why he thinks the new book, We’re Talking Millions, has been well received. Each finished the discussion with what’s coming in 2021. For Daryl it is new studies on distributions and inflation. For Chris it is a new book on 2 Funds for Life, along with Best In Class ETF Portfolio updates. For Paul it is more presentations to high school and college students, a series of 5-minute videos, promoting the upcoming We’re Talking Millions audio book, and a major overhaul of his website. About The Charts Click here to access a pdf of the charts The first two Quilt Charts show the one year returns (1928-2019) for S&P 500, Large Cap Value, Small Cap Blend, Small Cap Value and 4 Fund Portfolio. Only 1 in 5 years produced expected premiums. The next two quilt charts show that the 10 and 20 year results become more dependable in achieving results. In 75% of the 20 year periods the ranking of results was as expected. The next 5 graphs show the relative strength of the S&P 500 vs. the 4 Fund, All Value and Small Cap Value Portfolios. All of the graphs show investors how very patient they must be to capture the better returns of the different portfolios. The worst case in each graph ran from 15 to 20 years of under-performance. The next five tables track the risk and returns of 11 super simple portfolios of 1 to 4 funds. The good news is all but one of the portfolios had very fine returns. It was also noted that the best performers also had the biggest number of best and worst years. The Ultimate Buy and Hold Equity Portfolio didn’t produce many new lessons but the one it produced was interesting. After 50 years of performance the All Value Portfolio produced its first total return that was lower than the portfolio of all 10 asset classes. What Paul failed to note (but Daryl and Chris left in the table) was the 50-year result of the 4 Fund All U.S. Portfolio of 12.3%, just .3% less than the much more complex 10-fund Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio.

Following Jesus is an invitation into a joyful life. Or as Jurgen Moltmann writes: “Christianity is a unique religion of joy.” But what does it actually mean to have a joyful life and to “rejoice always” (Phil 4:4)? If embracing joy is far more than warm fuzzies, how is it related to feeling happy and secure? How does joy persist amidst the brokenness of life and stay honest in the midst of injustice and loss?Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is jam-packed with joy. For Paul, joy is the feeling, mindset, and way of life flowing from union with Christ and deep partnership with others. A joyful life does not ignore or avoid pain and suffering, but rather incorporates these experiences into the goal of living with and for Christ. As Jack Gilbert says in his poem “A Brief for the Defense,” “we must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world; to make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.” Joy is a matter of being seized by the Spirit and swept up into the gracious movement and restorative mission of God.As we walk through this seven-week series in the book of Philippians, we are doing so through the lens of joy. Our prayer is that the Spirit will lead us into deeper joy as we contemplate and practice our life together with Christ. Our first message in this series is taught by Ron McClelland from Philippians 1:1-11 about how partnership for the sake of the gospel means sharing in joy and grief, leading to sincere friendship.

Hi all,What does the word surrender mean to you? What comes to mind when you hear it? Does it conjure images of glorious battles won and lost, inglorious capitulation, or a sense of defeat? It's certainly ok if it does! After all, that is how the word is traditionally used. Either as a negative, or, at least, in a way that causes one to think that it represents a failing or a shortcoming of some kind. Many of us may feel that we are on the brink of surrender in this most challenging year of 2020.That word... surrender... it can mean other things too and that’s part of what we explore in this episode. Surrender - offering up, turning over, relinquishing, letting go... all of these are synonymous with the notion of surrender. For Paul, there is a little bit of surrender every time he sits on a meditation cushion. For Cheri, there might be some surrendering to the page when she sits down to write. For everything you do, you want, or desire, what will you surrender, offer up, or relinquish in the process? Is it time, is it ego, is it the way you think things "should'' be? In this light, surrender can also mean liberation, or even freedom. Rather than surrendering ourselves to 2020, can we surrender 2020 to history, and welcome in 2021 fully? Maybe we can, easily, or maybe there might be some forgiveness to do to fully let 2020 go? Whichever the case, our freedom lies in our surrender of that which no longer serves us, so we can move forward to whatever comes next.Enjoy, everybody! Thanks for listening, and Happy New Year!P + CSocial Media LinksFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | EmailSupport the Podcast!We'd love your support! If you would like to help out, here is the link to our Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/thismostunbelievablelife

2 Timothy 1:12 — Where do we put our hope in times of great trial? How we answer this tells us much about ourselves. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the words of the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:12, when he was imprisoned and facing death. He encouraged Timothy to stand in the faith that was delivered to the saints: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For Paul had not lost hope in the face of dire circumstances, but he was encouraging others in the face of his own death. This is what it looks like to trust in Christ until the end. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares how this trust is at the heart of the Christian's life and is a source of peace. This is because Christians do not have to trust in politics or any other earthly institution for hope. It is Jesus who will return on the last day and bring the new heavens and the new earth. It is Jesus who will banish all sin and darkness, bringing all Christians' hope to completion. This sermon asks the question, where is your hope? Are you like many resting in the things of this world? Or are you like the apostle who trusts in the faithfulness of Christ to deliver him in the greatest times of suffering? There is no more important question than where your hope is.

Acts 20:4–21:39 Acts 20:4–21:39 (Listen) 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and1 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.2 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by3 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,4 which he obtained with his own blood.5 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Paul Goes to Jerusalem 21 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.6 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers7 and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews8 at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” 15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge. Paul Visits James 17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,9 and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. Paul Arrested in the Temple 27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” Paul Speaks to the People 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” Footnotes [1] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium [2] 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ [3] 20:22 Or bound in [4] 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord [5] 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own [6] 21:1 Some manuscripts add and Myra [7] 21:7 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17 [8] 21:11 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time [9] 21:25 Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled (ESV)

Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV) Read by: David Luginbuhl Are you the type of person who likes to start projects but has a hard time finishing them? A lot of things in life feel like they get off to a good start, then get stalled or sidetracked. Money runs out, people get tired, circumstances change. . . But Paul here emphasizes an aspect of God's character that is consistent throughout Scripture and applies to big things and small. God is one who finishes what he starts. He is faithful, and he is not limited by circumstances, budgets or energy. Listen now to Philippians 1: 1-11. ----------REFLECT---------- 1. What word or phrase stood out to you in this passage? 2. Paul's affection for the church at Philippi seems to stem from their “partnership” in the gospel. More than just common belief or sympathy for a cause, they are committed with him--in vision, in action, and in a generous sharing of their resources, to tell the world about its new King. Would you describe yourself or your church as “partners” in the gospel? 3. For Paul and in the Jewish understanding, the head and the heart were not separated, as we think of them today. Love was not purely emotional, but tied up together with truth, knowledge, and wisdom, resulting in moral discernment for the good of those involved. Are there relationships in your life that need to grow in this kind of love? What might that look like? ----------GO DEEPER---------- Bible Project Podcast: New Testament Letters >> Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Historical Context >> Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Literary Context >> Bible Project Video: Philippians >> ----------CONNECT---------- Find an InterVarsity Chapter >> Start an InterVarsity Chapter >> Learn More >> --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyread/message