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

Have a blessed week to all in the name of  Jesus . Amen.

November 30   Ye are the temple of the living God ; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them         2 Cor. 6:16 These temples were reared for Him . Let Him fill them so completely that, like the oriental temple of glass in the ancient legend, the temple shall not be seen, but only the glorious sunlight, which not only shines into it, but through it, and the transparent walls are all unseen. A. B. Simpson Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

November 30: Do Not Turn to Folly 2 Kings 23:28–25:30; Ephesians 6:1–24; Proverbs 9:13–18 I have a problem with criticism. Being one of the youngest in a large, opinionated family, I quickly learned how to stand up for myself and get my way as a young child. I learned to deflect teasing. I also learned I had a knack for ignoring reprimands—punishment free (there are certain, inalienable rights that shouldn’t be bestowed on the youngest). The louder I projected my voice, the better; the more stubborn my stance, the more respect I earned. I wish I could say it was a phase that I quickly grew out of. When we’re challenged by others, we often interpret the wisdom offered as criticism instead. We defensively deflect feedback like beams of light, hoping they’ll land in their rightful place (our neighbor’s darkness, and not our own). This type of reaction can become second nature to us. Soon, even messages in church are meant for others: “I wish [insert person who is currently annoyi...

November 30th By the grace of God I am what I am His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:10 . The way we continually talk about our own inability is an insult to the Creator . The deploring of our own incompetence is a slander against God for having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining in the sight of God the things that sound humble before men, and you will be amazed at how staggeringly impertinent they are. ‘Oh, I shouldn’t like to say I am sanctified; I’m not a saint.’ Say that before God; and it means— ‘No, Lord , it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are chances I have not had; so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord , it isn’t possible.’ That may sound wonderfully humble before men, but before God it is an attitude of defiance. Again, the things that sound humble before God may sound the opposite before men. To say— ‘Thank God , I know I am saved and sanctified,’ is in the sight of God the ac...

Morning, November 30       Go To Evening Reading          “And Amaziah said to the man of God , But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.”            — 2 Chronicles 25:9 A very important question this seemed to be to the king of Judah, and possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and tempted O Christ ian . To lose money is at no times pleasant, and when principle involves it, the flesh is not always ready to make the sacrifice. “Why lose that which may be so usefully employed? May not the truth itself be bought too dear? What shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small income!” All these things and a thousand more would tempt the Christ ian to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain, or stay himself from carrying out his conscientious convictions, ...

Prayer Bless this the Lord's Day and all that dwell herein; bless those that are unable to do for themselves; bless those that are riddled with infirmities; bless those that are in mental institutions; bless those incarcerated and those serving in the Armed Forces. In the name of Jesus . Amen.

November 29 Lesson 13 TEACHING GOD’S WORD DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 28:16–20 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Acts 18 ACTS 18:1–11 , 18–21A 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tent-makers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered...

Lesson for November 29, 2015 Teaching God’s Word Acts 18:1–11 , 18–21 Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches  preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado . This lesson treatment is published in the November 22 issue of  The Lookout  magazine, and is also available online at  www.lookoutmag.com . ______ By Mark Scott  Our lesson title is taken from verse 11 of our text:  So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God .  The content was not Bible exposition as much as gospel announcement. Could teaching the gospel reverse an immoral city like Corinth? Paul thought so. Bi-Vocational Teaching |  Acts 18:1-4 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth . This is like going from the frying pan into the fire. If Athens had philosophical objectio...

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | EPIPHANY LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD YEAR B              Old Testament       2 Kings 2:1–12a              Psalm       Psalm 148               New Testament       2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2               New Testament       2 Corinthians 4:3–6 (Supplemental)               Gospel       Mark 9:2–9 Christian Worship Three Year Lectionary (with Supplemental Lectionary). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | EPIPHANY TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY Readings for Transfiguration are used on the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday. YEAR B              Old Testament       2 Kings 2:1–12              Psalm       Psalm 50:1–6 (UMH 783)               New Testament       2 Corinthians 4:3–6               Gospel       Mark 9:2–9 Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | ORDINARY TIME SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B | ROMAN MISSAL               First Reading       Leviticus 13:1–2, 44–46               Response       Psalm 32:7               Psalm       Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 11               Second Reading       1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1               Gospel Acclamation       Luke 7:16               Gospel       Mark 1:40–45 Catholic Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | EPIPHANY THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD YEAR B               Old Testament       2 Kings 2:1–12 or Exodus 34:29–35              Psalm       Psalm 50:1–6               Epistle       2 Corinthians 3:12–13 (14–18) 4:1–6               Gospel       Mark 9:2–9 Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | EPIPHANY LAST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY YEAR B              Psalm       Psalm 27 or Psalm 27:4–8               First Reading       1 Kings 19:9–18              Second Reading       2 Peter 1:16–19 (20–21)              Gospel       Mark 9:2–9 The Episcopal Church . Book of Common Prayer (1979) Sunday Lectionary. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010. Print.

The Worthy Walk Pt 4

The Worthy Walk Pt 4

Christ In The Exodus

May YHWH bless His Sabbath -keepers

November 28   He touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank         Gen. 32:32 Whatever it is that enables a soul, whom God designs to bless, to stand out against Him , God will touch. It may be the pride of wealth, or of influence, or of affection: but it will not be spared— God will touch it. It may be something as natural as a sinew; but if it robs a man of spiritual blessing God will touch it. It may be as small a thing as a sinew; but its influence in making a man strong in his resistance of blessing will be enough to condemn it—and God will touch it. And beneath that touch it will shrink and shrivel, and you will limp to the end of life. Remember that the sinew never shrinks save beneath the touch of the angel hand—the touch of tender love. F. B. Meyer Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

November 28: The Unity of Believers 2 Kings 20:1–21:26; Ephesians 4:1–32; Proverbs 8:27–36 It’s easy to sort believers in a community based on the quantity of their service. Most of us could roll out the masking tape and divide those who contribute their time and efforts from those who don’t. If we’re honest, the topic itself easily divides us—it makes us feel used, over-tasked, and resentful. But that’s not the picture of unity of purpose that Paul presents in Ephesians. He describes the church as a body—one in which “each single part” is needed for the growth of the whole. “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ , from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love” ( Eph 4:15–16) . We are each given unique abilities for the growth of the b...

November 28th The bounty of the destitute Being justified freely by His grace … Romans 3:24 . The Gospel of the grace of God awakens an intense longing in human souls and an equally intense resentment, because the revelation which it brings is not palatable. There is a certain pride in man that will give and give, but to come and accept is another thing. I will give my life to martyrdom, I will give myself in consecration, I will do anything, but do not humiliate me to the level of the most hell-deserving sinner and tell me that all I have to do is to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ . We have to realize that we cannot earn or win anything from God ; we must either receive it as a gift or do without it. The greatest blessing spiritually is the knowledge that we are destitute; until we get there Our Lord is powerless. He can do nothing for us if we think we are sufficient of ourselves; we have to enter into His Kingdom through the door of destitutio...

Morning, November 28       Go To Evening Reading           “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”            — 3 John 3 The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second could not be said of him the first would have been a mere pretense. Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value. Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. In us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being. If it be in us, we cannot henceforth part with it. A man may ...

Test the Spirits 1 John 4:1–8      I.      We Have a New Nature ( John 4:1–8 ) John begins with a warning about the false spirits in the world. Keep in mind that the NT was not yet completed and what had been written was not widely known; until the completion of the NT , the local churches depended on the ministry of people with spiritual gifts to teach them truth. How could a believer know when a preacher was from God and that his message could be trusted? ( See 1 Thes. 5:19–21 .) After all, Satan is an imitator. John states that the false spirits will not confess that Jesus is the Christ ( see 1 Cor. 12:3 ). The false cults today deny the deity of Christ and make Him a mere man or an inspired teacher. But the Christ ian has the Spirit within, the new nature, and this gives overcoming power. There are two spirits in the world today: God’s Spirit of Truth , who speaks through the inspired Word , and Satan’s spirit of error that teaches li...

Litter ‎In Egypt, the ruler and other dignitaries were transported in a covered sedan chair. In biblical texts, the litter is documented only for the late-exilic period. ‎ Song 3:7 , 3:9 ; Isa 66:20 ; 2 Macc 3:28

Denarius Portraying Julius Caesar ‎The fortress-like structure of the King David Hotel dominates Jerusalem’s skyline when photographed from the western wall of the Old City. Another hotel bearing the name of a great king, Solomon, looks from here like a block of stone piercing the sky. The Yemin Moshe neighborhood with its red tiled roofs tumbles down the hillside, engulfed in green.

Denarius Portraying Julius Caesar ‎In Roman civil war, Julius Caesar defeated Pompey, who had captured Jerusalem in 63 B.C. Rome’s Senate named Caesar dictator in 45 B.C. This silver Roman denarius, minted 44 B.C.—the year Caesar died—portrays him with the legend “Caesar, Perpetual Dictator” (obverse). The reverse features fasces and axe—authority symbols—with clasped hands, a globe, and the caduceus, Mercury’s winged serpent staff (also a symbol of peacemaking). The inscription names the mint director. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship ended the Roman Republic. Later imperial titles included his surname ( Phil 4:22 ). ‎ Matt 22:17 , 21 , Luke 2:1 , John 19:12 , Acts 17:7 , Acts 25:8–12 , 21 , Phil 4:22

Judas Iscariot John 17:12 Excerpt It is clear that John regarded Judas as thoroughly villainous, and as an evangelist John took pains to point out his wicked character. Even though Judas’s name is not always used, his evil nature lurks in the background of the Gospel . So as early as John 6:70 John already called him a devil; then at John 12:6  Judas is regarded as a thief; at John 13:27 he is an instrument of Satan, and here John sees Jesus dismissing him as the perishing one, the bad egg, or the weak link in the chain of the disciples. Not only was Judas the weak link, but he was an evil instrument in his fulfillment of Scripture . Although at this point it would be difficult to tell which Scripture was in the evangelist’s mind, other New Testament texts related to Judas’s actions seem to suggest more specific references such as  Matt 27:3–10 , which probably refers to Zech 11:12–13 and Acts 1:16–20 , which contains a free rendering of Ps 69:25 . Borcher...

November 27   These have turned the world upside down.… None of these things move me         Acts 17:6 ; Acts 20:24 The men that move the world are the ones who do not let the world move them. Selected Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

November 27: When Hezekiah Gave Away the Farm 2 Kings 18:13–19:37; Ephesians 2:1–3:21; Proverbs 8:19–26 After the announcement that Hezekiah “did right in the eyes of Yahweh ,” the next description comes as a surprise: “At that time, Hezekiah cut off the doors of the temple of Yahweh and the doorposts which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and he gave them to the king of Assyria” ( 2 Kgs 18:3 , 16 ). For a moment Hezekiah was a strong king over Israel—he abolished idolatry and refused to obey the king of Assyria ( 2 Kgs 18:4 , 7 ). As 2 Kings 18:6 describes, “He held on to Yahweh ; he did not depart from following him, and he kept his commands that Yahweh had commanded Moses.” But Hezekiah did not possess fortitude ( see 2 Kgs 18:13–18 ). In an attempt to gain peace, he gave away not only treasures, but even pieces of Yahweh’s temple itself ( 2 Kgs 18:15–16 ). We’ve all been in situations where it’s tempting to do anything for peace. Perhaps we’ve even compromis...

November 27th The consecration of spiritual energy by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal. 6:14 . If I brood on the Cross of Christ , I do not become a subjective pietist, interested in my own whiteness; I become dominantly concentrated on Jesus Christ’s interests. Our Lord was not a recluse nor an ascetic, He did not cut Himself off from society, but He was inwardly disconnected all the time. He was not aloof, but He lived in another world. He was so much in the ordinary world that the religious people of His day called Him a glutton and a wine-bibber. Our Lord never allowed anything to interfere with His consecration of spiritual energy. The counterfeit of consecration is the conscious cutting off of things with the idea of storing spiritual power for use later on, but that is a hopeless mistake. The Spirit of God has spoiled the sin of a great many, yet there is no emancipation, no fullness in their lives. The kind of religious l...

Morning, November 27       Go To Evening Reading          “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord.”            — Zechariah 3:1 In Joshua the high priest we see a picture of each and every child of God , who has been made nigh by the blood of Christ , and has been taught to minister in holy things, and enter into that which is within the veil. Jesus has made us priests and kings unto God , and even here upon earth we exercise the priesthood of consecrated living and hallowed service. But this high priest is said to be “standing before the angel of the Lord ,” that is, standing to minister. This should be the perpetual position of every true believer. Every place is now God’s temple , and his people can as truly serve him in their daily employments as in his house. They are to be always “ministering,” offering the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, and presenting themselves...

I am the Bread of Life John 6:27  John 6:27. When Jesus said, Do not work for food that spoils, He was not condoning laziness. Rather He was saying that people should expend their efforts for what will last forever. “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” ( Matt. 4:4 ).  Physical food is short-lived but spiritual food leads to eternal life. The Son of Man (who has access to heaven [ John 3:13 ]) will give people this spiritual food, which is ultimately Christ Himself ( John 6:53 ). God the Father Himself authenticated Jesus’ claim that He is true heavenly “food.” Blum, Edwin A. “John.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 295–300. Print.

A Champion 1 Samuels 17:4–7 .—A champion. Literally, “a man of the two middles,” i. e. one who enters the space between the two armies in order to decide the contest by a single combat. Of Gath. In Josh. 11:21 this town is mentioned, together with Gaza and Ashdod, as still having among its inhabitants men of the race of Anak. Whose height was six cubits and a span. In our measure his height was eight feet five and one-third inches; for the cubit is sixteen inches, and the span (really the hand-breadth) is five and one-third inches. A span, sit, is eight inches, but the word used here is zereth. See on these measures, Conder, ‘Handbook,’ p. 79. This height, though very great, has been attained to in modern times. Armed with a coat of mail. Literally, “clothed in a shirt of scales,” i. e. a corselet made of metal scales sewn on cloth so as to overlap one another. It was flexible, and protected the back and sides as well as the front. Five thousand shekels of brass. Really copper...

Bethlehem: Church of St. Catherine—Statue Bethlehem. The statue of St. Jerome looking up heavenward in awe, with a skull at his feet representing the scholar, the sage and perhaps also his asceticism. He stands on a pedestal in front of the Church of St. Catherine in the Crusader cloister that was reconstructed in the late 40's. The Franciscan church, on the northern side of the Church of the Nativity, was built in 1882 over the remains of a 12th century Crusader church. In the church grotto is the cell of St. Jerome, where he lived for 35 years from 385 to 420 A.D. and translated the Old and New Testament into Latin, the famous Vulgate translation.

Temple design by Ezekiel ‎In the Babylonian Exile, the prophet Ezekiel redesigned the First Temple, which he planned to rebuild after his return from the exile. The palace that once stood on the Temple Mount was foregone, as were the decorated pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the Brazen Sea, and the Lavers. The entire complex was now aligned very symmetrically. According to this design, three gates led into a quadratic court in front of the Temple. ‎Ezek 41 ; 42

Mt Tabor aerial from northwest

Happy Thanksgiving

November 26   The Lord … thy habitation         Ps. 91:9 We go home without arrangement. We plan our visits, and then go home because they are over. Duty , want, a host of things, lead us forth elsewhere; but the heart takes us home. Blessed, most blessed is he whose thoughts pass up to God , not because they are driven like a fisherman’s craft swept by the fierceness of the storm, not because they are forced by want or fear, not because they are led by the hand of duty, but because God is in his habitation and his home . Loosed from other things, the thoughts go home for rest.. In God the blessed man finds the love that welcomes. There is the sunny place. There care is loosed and toil forgotten. There is the joyous freedom, the happy calm, the rest, and renewing of our strength—at home with God . Mark Guy Pearse Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997....

November 26: A Moment to Reflect 2 Kings 17:6–18:12; Ephesians 1:1–23; Proverbs 8:9–18 Anyone will admit that wisdom is more than just knowledge. We think of wisdom as thoughtful insight acquired with life experience. However, Paul and the author of Proverbs tell us that it is not something we gain with a little age and some good direction. Wisdom is inseparable from the fear of God . The author of Proverbs tells us wisdom is “knowledge and discretion” ; it’s associated with the desire to fear God , and it is a reward to those who seek it out. “I love those who love me,” says Wisdom personified. “Those who seek me diligently shall find me” ( Prov 8:17 ). Paul speaks of wisdom in light of understanding the grand story of salvation we’re part of. When writing to the Ephesians, Paul prays that they will receive a certain type of spirit so they can grow in faith— “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ , the glorious Father , may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the ...

November 26th The concentration of spiritual energy … save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . Gal. 6:14 . If you want to know the energy of God (i.e., the resurrection life of Jesus) in your mortal flesh, you must brood on the tragedy of God . Cut yourself off from prying personal interest in your own spiritual symptoms and consider bare-spirited the tragedy of God , and instantly the energy of God will be in you. “Look unto Me,” pay attention to the objective Source and the subjective energy will be there. We lose power if we do not concentrate on the right thing. The effect of the Cross is salvation, sanctification, healing, etc., but we are not to preach any of these, we are to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified . The proclaiming of Jesus will do its own work. Concentrate on God’s centre in your preaching, and though your crowd may apparently pay no attention, they can never be the same again. If I talk my own talk, it is of no more importance to you th...