DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

December 31 From Beginning to End Lamentations 4:1–5:22 ; Romans 16:1–27 Endings are always difficult. But when they’re new beginnings, they’re revitalizing. At the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans , we not only see Paul the apostle, but Paul the empathetic and concerned pastor. Paul knows that if dissension or temptation rules over the Roman church, they will fail in their ministry, so he warns them ( Rom 16:17–19 ) and offers them a word of hope: “And in a short time the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” ( Rom 16:20 ). Here, Paul is echoing God’s words to Adam, Eve, and the serpent after the fall, when, instead of carrying out God’s request to bring order to creation (as He had done in the beginning), humanity turned from Him , defacing His image ( Gen 1:1–2 , 27–28 ; 3:14–20 ). But while Gen 3:15 merely depicts Satan biting the heel of humanity and being struck on the head in return ( Gen 3:15 ), Paul depict...

Nazareth -- Basilica of the Annunciation -- Interior ‎Listening attentively to the sermon around the main altar at the entrance to the Grotto in the Basilica of the Annunciation.  Beyond the wrought iron fence and the Crusader columns, lit with a reddish glow is the Grotto of the Annunciation, where Joseph lived with Mary and Jesus after their return from Egypt. Inscribed on an altar inside the Grotto are the words: Hic Verbum Caro Factum Est (Here the Word Was Made Flesh )—from St. John’s Gospel , referring to the Incarnation of Jesus .

Love God , Obey His Commandments Excerpt ‎John is not talking about how we know others have a vital relationship with God . He is discussing how a real faith in Jesus expresses itself in our lives.  As we experience love for others and for God , and find ourselves choosing to obey His commandments , we realize that we truly have been born again. . Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

The East Excerpt ‎The OT terminology for ‘east’ is derived chiefly from two sources.  First, it is drawn from language associated with sunrise (Heb. mizrakh, ‘rising , shining,’ Josh. 4:19 ), sometimes with sun (shemesh, Judg. 21:19 ) or going forth (motsah, Ps. 75:7 ) with the sun ( Ps. 19:5-7 ), and morning (boker, Ps. 65:9 ). Second, it is drawn from derivatives from the root meaning ‘before, in front’ (kdm). Since one orients oneself by facing east, the east is what is before or in front of one. Several derivatives of the root meaning ‘east’ are found in Gen. 11:2 ; Ezek. 40:6 ; Gen. 2:14 ; and Ezek. 10:19 . A common use of ‘east’ in the OT , especially in poetry, is in the listing of the four cardinal points to express totality ( ‘everywhere,’ Joel 2:20 ; Ps. 75:7 ; Job 23:8-9 ). In the NT , ‘east’ (Gk. anatole) is similarly used ( Matt. 8:11 ; Luke 13:29 ). The east is the source of such OT wisdom figures as Job ( Job 1:3 ), Agur ( Prov. 30:1 ), and Le...

The Boldness of a Blind Man John 9:30-33 Excerpt ‎The blind man is bolder than his parents, who refuse to take any position on their son’s healing because of the known hostility of the religious leaders to Jesus ( cf . vv. 20–23 ).  The once blind man openly expressed the obvious fact that the leaders were intent on trying to hide. The blessing of sight restored was so great that nothing the leaders could do would intimidate him. Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Punishment Excerpt ‎No tyranny ever has been so unprincipled as that some appearance of equity was not maintained in it; however corrupt a government be, God never suffers it to be so much so as not to be better than anarchy [Calvin]. Although bad kings often oppress the good, yet that is scarcely ever done by public authority (and it is of what is done by public authority that Peter speaks), save under the mask of right. Tyranny harasses many, but anarchy overwhelms the whole state [Horneius]. The only justifiable exception is in cases where obedience to the earthly king plainly involves disobedience to the express command of the King of kings. Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible . Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. Print.

The Annunciation to Mary The annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. The book in Mary’s hand is open to the passage from Isaiah , “Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son” ( 7:14 ). Detail of a painting by Masolino da Panicale ca. 1430. Achtemeier, Paul J., Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature . Harper’s Bible Dictionary 1985 : 1168 . Print.

The Synagogue at Capernaum ‎ Luke’s Gospel says the synagogue in Capernaum was built by the centurion of whom Jesus later said, “I have not found such faith in Israel” ( Luke 7:5 , 9 ). It was destroyed and rebuilt in the fourth century.

Galileans Were Killed While Sacrificing Excerpt ‎Galileans. Elsewhere Peter ( 22:59 ) and Jesus ( 23:6 ) are called “Galileans.” ‎Blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. They were killed as they were sacrificing. Therefore this had to have taken place in the temple in Jerusalem, the only place sacrifices could be made. For “Pilate” see comments on 3:1 .  Attempts have been made to relate this incident to some other recorded events, but it appears that Luke preserved an incident that was not recorded by Josephus or the other contemporary writers. Stein, Robert H. Luke . Vol. 24 . Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary .

Theophany Exodus 3:2 Excerpt ‎theophany ... [is a] manifestation of God . The OT contains a number of narratives of or poetic allusions to God revealing himself to men and women.  Theophanies frequently are associated with particular holy places, representing the foundation legend of a sanctuary ( Gen. 12:6-7 ; 13:18 ; 18:1 ; 28:1-17 ; Exod. 40:34-38 ) or the call of a prophet within it ( Isa. 6:1-8 ). They tend to follow a literary pattern with Canaanite roots: God appears, frequently as divine warrior or king, surrounded by fire or in splendor ( Deut. 33:2 ; Pss. 18:8 ; 104:2 ; Ezek. 1:27-28 ; Hab. 3:4) , and sometimes riding like Baal upon the wind and clouds ( Pss. 18:10 ; 68:33 ; 104:3) ; nature trembles ( Exod. 19:18 ; Judg. 5:4-5 ; Pss. 18:7 ; 68:8; Hab. 3:6 , 10 ) or the recipient responds with dread ( Gen. 15:12 ; 28:17 ; Exod. 3:6 ; Job 42:5-6 ; Isa. 6:5 ; Hab. 3:16 ); and, as a result, nature becomes fertile (Pss. 68:8-10; 104:10-23; Isa. 35:2, 6-7), or ...

Awl ‎Bone or metal awls are used to pierce holes in leather or other material. According to Exod 21:6, a master shall pierce the ear of a slave with an awl in order to mark the slave for life. ‎Exod 21:6

Be an Imitator Like Jesus 1 Corinthians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."  The New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Today's Verse of the Day is From 1 Corinthians  1:17 KJV Translation: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel : not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. NKJV Translation: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel : not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Prayer  Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Heavenly Father , I thank  You  for this day's awakening, because I don't know if this will be my last morning awakening; I say this  Father  because  You  have not promise me or anyone else to see the next moment, so ... I want to thank  You  now while the blood is still running warm in my veins.  I pray for those that have gone through the entire year saying, "I will come later" or "I know when I am going to die"; So un-true are both statements from secular people, because ... when ones life is over and the person has not given their live to  Christ  in true repentance ... in Hades [hell, Sheol] they will live in fiery torment that is unquenchable with Satan and his angels FOREVER;  So I pray, COME NOW TO  JESUS  FOR YOUR SOUL SALVATION. THE NEXT MOMENT IS NOT PROMISE. In  Jesus' name  I pray. Amen. 

December 30 The Proverbs 31 Woman Proverbs 31:1–9 A Proverbs 31 woman is hard to find, but it isn’t for lack of effort. She’s been the topic of more than a few Bible studies. She can be recognized by her many positive traits—strong, courageous, and trustworthy. She is hardworking, discerning, giving, dignified, business savvy, wise, and kind. If we’re looking for a vice or an Achilles heel, we’ll have to turn to another passage in the OT (we’re sure to find more failures than achievers within its pages). As we look through the list of qualities, though, it’s hard to check them all off, even for Type-A personalities. But the key to understanding the list of characteristics isn’t found it what we can attain. It’s found in the last verse—the crux of the poem. The crown of the woman’s wisdom isn’t her charm or her beauty or even her ability to “get things done.” It is her fear of Yahweh . This relationship with God guides all of her actions. If we’re trying to earn favor wi...

Lesson December 29, 2013 Jesus Is Presented in the Temple ( Luke 2:21-40 ) By Sam E. Stone This month’s lessons have followed the theme, “ God Sends Jesus ,” based on Luke’s Gospel . We have seen how God called various individuals to have part in these events. In today’s study Simeon and Anna touch the life of Jesus when he is just a baby. Their hopes were realized in the birth of the Messiah , just as ours are. Obedient Parents Luke 2:21 , 22 Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord at the appropriate time. The baby had been circumcised on the eighth day after his birth ( see Genesis 17:12 ) and at the same time named Jesus as the angel had instructed ( Luke 1:31 ). A mother was considered ceremonially unclean for 40 days after the birth of a son ( Leviticus 12:1-8 ). From Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph traveled a few miles north to the temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony. All firstborn male children were considered holy to the Lord ( Ex...

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 29, 2013 | CHRIST MAS FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRIST MAS DAY YEAR A              Old Testament       Isaiah 63:7–9              Psalm       Psalm 148 (UMH 861)              New Testament       Hebrews 2:10–18              Gospel       Matthew 2:13–23 Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 29, 2013 | CHRIST MAS FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRIST MAS YEAR A On the same date: David               Old Testament       Isaiah 63:7–14               Psalm       Psalm 111              Epistle       Galatians 4:4–7               Gospel       Matthew 2:13–23 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 29, 2013 | CHRIST MAS FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRIST MAS YEARS ABC              Psalm       Psalm 147 or Psalm 147:12–20              First Reading       Isaiah 61:10–62:3              Second Reading       Galatians 3:23–25 , 4:4–7               Gospel       John 1:1–18 The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010. Print.

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 29, 2013 | CHRIST MAS FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRIST MAS :  HOLY FAMILY YEAR A               Old Testament       Isaiah 63:7–9              Psalm       Psalm 148               New Testament       Hebrews 2:10–18               Gospel       Matthew 2:13–23 Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

December 29 The Grace of God Shines Through Lamentations 1:1–2:22 I was once asked why the Bible is so brutal—why it depicts things like babies being killed and war. It’s true, the Bible has many moments of darkness and violence. But these depictions of the rawness of humanity—in all its ungratefulness and depravity—demonstrate how much people need God . And more than that, through these moments, the Bible shows how much people need a savior. The book of Lamentations is brimming with sorrow and gnashing of teeth. Little hope can be found in this book. The prophet weeps and moans over his fallen nation, over watching Jerusalem crumble. In this poetic work, we see people who don’t follow the God who loves them dearly and so badly yearns to see them return to Him . “How desolate the city sits that was full of people! She has become like a widow, once great among the nations! Like a woman of nobility in the provinces, she has become a forced laborer. She weeps bitterly in the ...

Patmos, the Place of Exile Revelation 1:9 Excerpt ‎In Revelation 1:9 John says that he was on the island of Patmos “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus .” He also indicates that he is a fellow participant in their “tribulations.” The Roman historian Tacitus informs us that the Romans used some of the Aegean islands as places of banishment and exile during the 1st century (Annals, 3:68; 4:30; 15:71). Thus the language of the author and the evidence of Tacitus, joined to Christ ian traditions from the 2nd and 3rd centuries about John’s banishment, support the likelihood that Patmos was a place of exile or political confinement. Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 1620 . Print.

Jesus , The Son of Man Revelation 1:13-15 Excerpt ‎ An analysis of OT allusions in vv 13–15 shows that the predominant features of the Son of man are drawn from Daniel 7 and especially Daniel 10 , with other texts contributing secondarily to the depiction. Most commentators agree that the significance of this is that Christ is portrayed as a kingly and priestly figure, since the figure in the two Daniel texts has the same features.112 Part of Christ’s priestly role is to tend the lamp-stands.  The OT priest would trim the lamps, remove the wick and old oil, refill the lamps with fresh oil, and relight those that had gone out.113 Likewise, Christ tends the ecclesiastic lamp-stands by commending, correcting, exhorting, and warning ( see   chaps. 2–3 ) in order to secure the churches’ fitness for service as light-bearers in a dark world. Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation : a Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdma...

Angels of the Seven Churches Revelation 1:20 Excerpt ‎    The ‘seven stars’ of the Patmos vision are explained as referring to ‘the angels (angeloi) of the seven churches’ ( Rev. 1:20 ), to whom the letters of Rev. 2 and 3 are then addressed. The ‘angel’ concept is problematic. It is often taken either of guardian angels or of human leaders or bishops of the churches. Both suggestions involve difficulty. Elsewhere in Rev. angelos certainly means ‘angel’ , but the 'angel’ can scarcely be made to share responsibility for the sins of the church.  The interpretation ‘bishop’ seems contrary to usage, and unsupported by effective parallels. There is no such emphasis on episcopacy as later in Ignatius. Nor can this view be based on the inferior reading ‘your wife’ in 2:20 (sou inserted by dittography). And again it would be strange to hold one man individually and absolutely responsible for the church. angelos is literally ‘messenger’, but the initially attractiv...

Ancient Home Synagague The term “synagogue” refers generally to a Jewish assembly for prayer. During the first-century AD, the term referred primarily to buildings designed to house such assemblies. Jews living in Greek towns usually assembled for prayer in private homes—and if an assembly member was wealthy, the synagogue might have been held in a home like this one.

Outline to Revelation Revelation 1:19 ‎Many understand this verse to provide the key to understanding Revelation . “What you have seen” is John’s vision of Jesus, found in chap. 1 . “What is now” is reflected in the letters Christ dictates, to be sent to the seven Asia Minor churches, found in chaps. 2–3 . And “what will take place later” is a vision of history’s end, correlated with the O.T. prophet’s vision of that time, found in chaps. 4–21 . Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

The Head of the Son of Man Revelation 1:14 Excerpt ‎ Verse 14 .— His head. From the garments of the great High Priest , St. John passes on to himself. What he had seen as a momentary foretaste of glory at the Transfiguration , he sees now as the abiding condition of the Christ .  In Dan. 7:9 “the Ancient of Days ” has “the hair of his head like pure wool.” This snowy whiteness is partly the brightness of heavenly glory, partly the majesty of the hoary head.  The Christ appears to St. John as a son of man, but also as a “ Divine Person invested with the attributes of eternity.” As a flame of fire. “ The Lord thy God is a consuming fire” ( Deut. 4:24 ). “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins” ( Jer. 17:10 ). The flame purifies the conscience and kindles the affections. Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. Revelation . London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

A Sharp Two-Edged Sword Revelation 1:16 Excerpt ‎Out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword. This metaphor runs through both Old and New Testa ments . It is frequent in this book ( ch. 2:12 , 16 ; 1 9:15 , 21 ; comp . Luke 2:35 ; Eph. 6:17 ; Heb. 4:12 ; Ps. 45:3 ; 57:4 ; 59:7 ; 64:3 ; 149:6 ; Prov. 12:18 ; Isa. 11:4 ; 49:2 , etc .).  The sharp words of men and the searching words of God are both spoken of under this figure of the sword. Tertullian and Richard of St. Victor explain the two edges as the Law and the Gospel . Other still more fanciful explanations have been given. “Two-edged” (δίστομος) is literally “two-mouthed,” and perhaps expresses no more than the thorough efficiency of the sword. It occurs in ch. 2:12 and Heb. 4:12 ; also in classical Greek as equivalent to the more common ἀμφήκης. If a double meaning be insisted on, it may be found in the double character of God’s Word , which not only smites the wicked, but searches the good; which cuts sometime...

Viper ‎The viper belongs to the venomous snakes of the Near East. Since there was no counter-poison in antiquity, snakebites often were fatal. ‎Gen 49:17 ; Deut 32:33 ; Ps 58:4 ; 91:13 ; 140:3 ; Job 20:14 , 20:16 ; Prov 23:32 ; Isa 11:8 ; 30:6 ; Matt 3:7 ; 23:33

A design from the inside of a Greek cup. Theological phrase used in two contexts: (1) in Jewish usage, a cup of wine drunk at the end of a meal and having special Passover significance; (2) in Christ ian usage, the Communion goblet. In the Passover feast the cup of blessing is the third of four cups required in the ceremony of the paschal meal. It derives its name from the prayer offered over the cup: “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, who gives us the fruit of the vine.” The apostle Paul used the term in reference to the wine of the Lord’s Supper ( 1 Cor 10:16 ). His words are taken by many interpreters as evidence that the early church saw the Lord’s Supper as a transformation and fulfillment of the Passover celebration. To participate in drinking the cup of blessing is to commit oneself to Christ , “our paschal lamb” ( 1 Cor 5:7 ), whose death it commemorates, and to enter into “communion” or fellowship with him. The phrase “cup of the Lord ” ( 1 Cor 10:21 ; 11:27 ) or s...

Prayer Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Almighty Jehovah , I pray for the safe return or finding of the little girl that was abducted here in my city;  Touch and heal the mother's mind that she will not harm the little girl [her daughter]. Bless the Florida State Trooper that was shot in the face last evening; Heal his body and may he not have any adverse effects of trauma. I pray for this crazed world of violence to those that do not know of  You  or  Your   Son's   Salvation ; I pray that they turn from their wicked and perverse ways of violence and hatred and  COME to  JESUS . In  Jesus' name  is my prayer. Amen.

Today's Verse of the Day is From Genesis 27:28 KJV Translation: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: NKJV Translation: Therefore God give you of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Explore Thomas Nelson's King James Bibles and take your Bible reading further. © Copyright Thomas Nelson Publishers.

December 28 Unity Romans 14:13–15:7 Paul calls us to refrain from judging others ( Rom 14:3 ). That’s easy enough to do when the people in our communities are the people we’d want to have over for dinner. What happens when those in our community don’t value (or dis-value) the things we value (or dis-value)? “Now may the God of patient endurance and of encouragement grant you to be in agreement with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus , so that with one mind you may glorify with one mouth the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also has accepted you, to the glory of God ” ( Rom 15:5–7 ). In this portion of his letter, Paul asks the Roman believers to stretch themselves. For the Roman believers, judgment might have centered on the issue of eating the meat of unclean animals or the observance of Jewish holidays. Paul asks them to withhold judgment of one another because only God has that right ( Rom 14:10 ). He also...

The Wickedness of Man Excerpt ‎Very much sin was committed in all places, by all sorts of people. Any one might see that the wickedness of man was great: but God saw that every imagination, or purpose, of the thoughts of man’s heart, was only evil continually.  This was the bitter root, the corrupt spring. The heart was deceitful and desperately wicked; the principles were corrupt; the habits and dispositions evil. Their designs and devices were wicked. They did evil deliberately, contriving how to do mischief. There was no good among them. God saw man’s wickedness as one injured and wronged by it. Henry, Matthew, and Thomas Scott. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary . Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997. Print.

Mature in Christ Excerpt ‎Paul, in proclaiming this Christ who now also dwells in Gentile believers was admonishing (nouthetountes, “counseling” ) and teaching (didaskontes, “instructing” ) everyone ( cf . 3:16 ). No doubt he did this “admonishing” and instructing because of the false teaching about Christ in Colosse. He did so wisely ( cf . 4:5-6 ) since his purpose was not to drive them into the hands of the heretics but to present everyone perfect (teleion, “mature” ; cf . James 1:4 ) in Christ . Paul was interested in believers not remaining spiritual babies ( cf . 1 Cor. 3:1-2 ) but in becoming spiritually mature ( cf . Heb. 5:11-14 ). Elsewhere Paul prayed for complete sanctification of believers ( 1 Thes. 5:23 ). Paul preached the “fullness” of the gospel so that believers could have the fullness of life Jesus promised ( John 10:10 ).  To this end Paul expended all his God -given strength. Developing maturity in believers took great labor (kopiō) or wearisome...

Inscription from Hezekiah's Tunnel ‎Hezekiah, king of Judah, fortified Jerusalem at the end of the 8th century BC, just before the invasion of Sennacherib. As part of his building project, Hezekiah brought water into the city of Jerusalem through a tunnel carved from over half a kilometer of bedrock ( 2 Kgs 20:20 ). A six percent gradient was designed into the excavation to allow water to flow from the Gihon spring into the pool of Siloam ( compare John 9:7 ).

The Portion According to the Jewish law of inheritance, if there were but two sons, the elder would receive two portions, the younger the third of all movable property. A man might, during his lifetime, dispose of all his property by gift as he chose. If the share of younger children was to be diminished by gift or taken away, the disposition must be made by a person presumably near death. No one in good health could diminish, except by gift, the legal portion of a younger son. The younger son thus was entitled by law to his share, though he had no right to claim it during his father’s lifetime. The request must be regarded as asking a favor (Edersheim). Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Attitudes for Sanctification  Excerpt ‎Sanctification begins with regeneration, the implanting of spiritual life in a believer. From that starting point sanctification is God’s progressively separating a believer from sin to Himself and transforming his total life experience toward holiness and purity.  The process of sanctification for a believer never ends while he is on earth in his mortal body. It is consummated in glorification when that believer through death and resurrection or through the Rapture stands in the presence of God “conformed to the likeness of His Son ” ( 8:29 ).  A believer’s identification with Jesus Christ by faith is both the ground and the goal of sanctification. Witmer, John A. “ Romans .” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2 . Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 462 . Print.

A Little Leaven Excerpt ‎“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” And thus this slight error, he says, if not corrected, will have power (as the leaven has with the lump) to lead you into complete Judaism. John Chrysostom. “Commentary of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Galatians.” A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series: Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Ed. Philip Schaff. Trans. Gross Alexander with Anonymous. Vol. 13 . New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889. 37 . Print.

Church of St. John, Samaria (Inside) ‎Here is another view of the Church of St. John, taken from the interior of an open court inside. We see here the domed tomb of John the Baptist, referred to in our notes on the former picture.  When we were there on the 4th day of May, 1894, Moslems were tearing it down in order to build here a mosque. You can see in the above picture some beautiful specimens of the work which entered into the construction of this church. We were, perhaps, among the very last tourists who will be permitted to look upon it, and nothing will be left of the ancient building that once stood in the city of Samaria except the columns of Herod. These also would be taken down by the natives if so much labor were not involved in that work.  Certainly it is high time that the European powers interfered with the vandalism of the modern Turks. An author says “that the Church of St. John is on the whole the most picturesque ruin in all Palestine.” The ...

Church of St. John, Samaria “Now, after two days, He departed thence and went into Galilee.” Leaving Sychar He would pass up the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, passing Shechem. About one mile beyond Shechem He would leave the valley and turn northward across the slopes of Ebal toward Galilee. After journeying from Shechem about seven miles, He would come again to the City of Samaria. We have here a picture of the Church of St. John in Samaria, appropriate here, not simply because it is directly on the road from Shechem to Galilee, but because our Savior had just left the Jordan, where His disciples baptized and had the controversy with the disciples of John. This church overhangs the steep declivity below the village of Samaria, called also in ancient times Sebaste, and now known as Sebustiyeh. The windows of the church are high and narrow, with pointed arches and ornaments peculiar to the early Normans, the blocks carved with grotesque heads and figures. ...

Let Us Not Grow Weary Excerpt ‎But Christ ians may become discouraged with spiritual sowing because the harvest is often long in coming. In the face of this reality the apostle charged the Galatians not to become weary or give up because the harvest is sure. (Paul included himself as he no doubt contemplated his sometimes frustrating labors on behalf of the Galatian Christ ians .)  The reaping will come at God’s proper time , which may be only in part in this life and in full in the life to come at the judgment seat of Christ . Campbell, Donald K. “ Galatians .” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2 . Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 610 . Print.

Road in the Harbor of Jaffa ‎The writer approached the shore of Palestine on the 10th day of March, 1863. He saw the yellow sands of the Philistian plain, the Judean hills veiled in the delicate mist, and the town of Joppa standing on its projecting headland, rising up house above house, with minarets and towers, and on every side of the city, green fields and pleasant gardens. Jaffa is called “The Port of Jerusalem,” but has no proper harbor, and it is only under favorable circumstances of wind and wave that a vessel may come to anchor and ship her freight for the city.  There is a little road or enclosure, sometimes called a harbor. It is beyond a dangerous reef that runs parallel with the shore, and the opening through it is only sufficient for one boat, and the noisy surf tumbling about the rocks around him makes the voyager exceedingly glad to reach the little space of quiet water beyond.  This was the only harbor possessed by the Jews throughout the grea...

Purity of Heart Matthew 5:8 Excerpt ‎The term Matthew used here means pure or “clean.” It can be used literally of physical cleanness, but Scripture often uses it for moral cleanness and purity. A simple but helpful way of looking at the word is to realize that it implies the absence of impurity or filth. It implies a singleness of purpose, without distraction (akin to the concept of “holiness,” being set apart for a special purpose; see Jas. 4:8 ).  Any distracting or corrupting influence a kingdom servant allows into his or her heart makes that person less effective as a servant. The kingdom servant has a heart that is undivided and unalloyed. Weber, Stuart K. Matthew . Vol. 1 . Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary .