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

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 i...

Mundy's Quote for the Day Reverend Lynwood F. Mundy Love 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect  ( Matthew 5:43-48 ) . The  New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

January 30   Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life         Rom. 6:4 That is the life we are called upon to live, and that is the life it is our privilege to lead; for God never gives us a call without its being a privilege, and He never gives us the privilege to come up higher without stretching out to us His hand to lift us up. Come up higher and higher into the realities and glories of the resurrection life, knowing that your life is hid with Christ in God. Shake yourself loose of every encumbrance, turn your back on every defilement, give yourself over like clay to the hands of the potter, that He may stamp upon you the fullness of His own resurrection glory, that you, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, may be changed from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. W. Hay Aitken Hardman...

January 24: Undue Favor Genesis 38–39 ; Matthew 27:32–28:20 ; Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 Genesis 38 interrupts the climax of the Joseph narrative with another tale: Judah and Tamar. Switching protagonists is a surprising enough, but the tale itself shocks us. We’re hardly given time to process the strange cultural practices of the ancient Near East, prostitution, deception, and the sudden death of those who displease God before we’re returned to Joseph’s struggles in Egypt. The story is additionally confusing because it seems to lack a hero. Judah uses Tamar, as his two sons did—though he at least acknowledges his actions. Tamar uses her wits and risks her life to secure a future for herself, but she does so through deplorable means. Attempts have been made to justify the characters and put it all in perspective, but there is no neat packaging. The characters in this story face dire circumstances and a unique cultural context—one that is nearly impossible for modern readers to und...

Praying to His Father Excerpt As Jesus turns to address the Father his speech implies that he is taken up into the eternal presence (cf. Brown 1970:747). He speaks as if his work were already complete (for example, v.  4 ). Indeed, he even says, “I am no longer in this world” (v.  11 , completely obscured in the NIV). But right after that he says,  I say  these things while I am still in the world  (v.  13 ). He is right there with his disciples just before his death, but he is praying from the realm of eternity. Just as the book of Revelation reveals from a heavenly perspective the certainty of God’s unfolding will, so this prayer of Jesus shows that he is completely confident in the outworking of that will.  More Whitacre, Rodney A.  John . Vol. 4. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999. Print. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

Jaffa from Hotel Window ‎ “Jaffa,” “Joppa” or “Yafa” is a city with a history. Traditionally it is the oldest city in the world. ‎No city in the world has had a more remarkable record. It has been alternately Pagan, Jew, Moslem, Arab, Mameluke and Christ ian . It has been sacked and wasted by war, swept by pestilence, fire and sword, rebuilt, walled and fortified only to be again destroyed. ‎The town is defended by a wall, on which a few old guns are mounted. Its dirty lanes and alleys are uninviting, but this aspect is redeemed by the freshness and beauty of its towering palms, its lemon groves and its orange orchards and fruit gardens. The sudden transition from the discomfort of the ship to these quiet gardens is something to be remembered. A traveler says, “In March and April these Jaffa gardens are indeed enchanting. The air is over-loaded with the mingled perfume of oranges, apples, apricots, quinces, plums and China trees in bloom.”   The legendary an...

Armor of God ‎The Apostle Paul, inspired by God , wrote a letter to the church of Ephesus from a Roman prison. As he wrote, Roman soldiers guarding the prison walked about in the armor of first century legionary.

Mount Carmel: Carmel ‎The Carmel appears in the Bible as a symbol of nature’s abundance and beauty. Israelis, hungry for its green shade, refer to it as “Little Switzerland”. The peaks of the Carmel are crowned with pine forests and its slopes are clothed in natural woodland of oaks and terebinths. In the spring it is resplendent with wild flowers such as anemones, crocuses, buttercups and tulips.

Mundy's Quote for the Day Reverend Lynwood F. Mundy As the  Christ mas  Season is two (2) days from this writing with people buying expensive gifts on credit cards too impress those around them which will be charged with high interest rates and years to pay; there also will be parents buying gifts for their kids; package wrapping, and of course, the lovely  Christ mas  tree that will be lavishly decorated by some with presents laid out underneath; and of course, the the visit to see and sit on Santa's lap. Lastly, a family gathering to feast on myriad favorite dishes of food. My question is, where is  Jesus  in all of this seasonal hustle and furry of buying? Kids are taught fibs of a mystical Santa or other names in other countries coming down a chimney (your house don't have a fireplace) the giving and receiving of gifts on  Christ mas  Day. There still isn't no mention of  Jesus  to whom December 25th is supposed to be w...

December 16 THE FIRST NOEL English carol, before 1823   And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ( Luke 2:8 ) Although no Christmas season would be complete without the melodious singing of this tuneful carol, very little is known about its origin. It is believed to have had its rise in France during the 15th century. Noel is a French word originating from Latin meaning “birthday.” The song is thought to have been brought across the channel to England by the wandering troubadours. The carol under the English form, “Nowell,” became a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially in the west of England. This was when the entire village gathered for singing and celebrating the bringing in of the Yule log. At this time carols were thought of as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside the church rather than within. “The First Noel” portrays in vivid narrative style the story of the birth of Christ. All si...

SUNDAY , NOVEMBER 9, 2014 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 27 YEAR A   Old Testament & Psalm , Option I               Old Testament       Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25              Psalm       Psalm 78:1–7   or    Old Testament & Psalm , Option II               Old Testament       Wisdom of Solomon 6:12–16 or Amos 5:18–24               Psalm       Wisdom of Solomon 6:17–20 or Psalm 70               New Testament       1 Thessalonians 4:13–18               Gospel       Matthew 25:1–13 Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

November 7: The Results of Worship and Teaching 1 Kings 8:54–9:28 ; Mark 6:7–44 ; Proverbs 2:16–22 “It happened that when Solomon finished praying to Yahweh all of the prayer and this plea, he got up from before the altar of Yahweh , from kneeling down on his knees with his palms outstretched to heaven. He stood and blessed all of the assembly of Israel with a loud voice …” ( 1 Kgs 8:54–55 ). Solomon demonstrates the natural and proper response to worship—declaring God’s goodness to others and blessing them in His name . These blessings can come in simple forms, such as doing good for others, or they may look more elaborate, as Solomon’s prayer continues in 1 Kgs 8 . Worship can become stilted when we focus on our place before Yahweh instead of His natural and rightful place . We’re meant to view Yahweh for who He is and what He has done, and to respond to His work by helping others. Jesus demonstrated a similar point in His own ministry . He could have kept His discip...

November 4: Cutting a Deal with God 1 Kings 5:1–6:38 ; Mark 4:1–24 ; Proverbs 1:20–27 Sometimes we think we can make deals with God . We hear His commands , but we plan on being faithful later. Or we make light of our rebellious thoughts and actions, thinking they’re only minor offenses in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps we think God will overlook them just as easily as we’ve rationalized them. Jesus put special emphasis on “having ears to hear” in the Gospel of Mark . He expected much more than a captive audience, though: “ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’ And he said to them, ‘Take care what you hear! With the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you, and will be added to you’ ” ( Mark 4:23–24 ). Jesus issued this command shortly after giving His disciples special insight into the parable of the Sower and the Seed . The rocky soil, the thorns, the road, the good soil—these represented various responses to the good news. The good ...

The Greek Word for "Send" John 3:17 Excerpt ‎[In the Gospel of John ,] ἀποστέλλω denotes commissioning and authorization from God . The sending discloses the unique manner in which the Son is bound to the Father ; a believing acknowledgment of the phrase “that you have sent me” therefore constitutes the goal and content of confession ( Jn. 11:42 ;  Jn.   17:3 ,  Jn.  17: 8 ,  Jn. 17: 21 ,  Jn.  17: 23 ,  Jn.  17: 25 ). Along with ἀποστέλλω there also appears the formula ὁ πέμψας με πατήρ. Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament 1990– : 142 . Print.

'Darkness' in the Gospel of John John 3:19-20 Excerpt ‎... [darkness] quality regarded as less valuable than light ( Eccles. 2:13 ). Imagery based on darkness is especially prominent in the poetic books where it represents destruction, death, and the underworld ( Isa. 5:30 ; Isa. 47:5 ; Ps. 143:3 ; Job 17:13 ; cf. Mark 15:33 ) in a manner similar to that known in other ancient Near Eastern cultures. Conceived as a curse or punishment ( Deut. 28:29 ; Ps. 35:6 ), darkness characterizes the coming Day of the Lord ( Joel 2:2 ; Amos 5:18 ). God’s appearance is often accompanied by darkness ( 1 Kings 8:12 ), which, according to Gen. 1:2, prevailed prior to creation, although Isa. 45:7 and Ps. 104:20 assert that it was created by God . The Dead Sea Scrolls contrast light and darkness as representing the forces of good and evil, both metaphysically and psychologically; a similar view has been noted in the Gospel of John . Achtemeier, Paul J., Harper & Row and So...

November 3: Love and Commitment: Not Always Synonymous 1 Kings 3:1–4:34 ; Mark 3:1–3:35 ; Proverbs 1:13–19 Loving God and living fully for Him are not necessarily synonymous. If I love someone, does that mean I always show untainted respect and unfailing loyalty? Love should command complete devotion and commitment—but our lives are rarely as pure as they should be. Like his father, David, Solomon acted out of passion and love, but his commitment and respect for Yahweh faltered at the same time: “Solomon intermarried with … the daughter of Pharaoh and brought her to the city of David … Solomon loved Yahweh , by walking in the statutes of David his father; only he was sacrificing and offering incense on the high places” ( 1 Kgs 3:1 , 3 ). Solomon didn’t marry Pharaoh’s daughter because he needed Egypt’s protection. Egypt, Israel’s ancient enemy, had enslaved God’s people once before, but it was not an imminent threat. Worse, Solomon committed himself to Pharaoh, an ally ...

October 30: An Obstructed View Daniel 9:1–10:21 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–17 ; Job 42:1–9 We need to see ourselves as we truly are, but we can’t do that on our own. Our communities can help us glimpse a more accurate reflection, but we truly know ourselves only when we know God. His light brings us understanding. After suffering incredible loss, Job tries to understand his pain. He speaks some truth, but he often misunderstands God’s motives and minimizes His love . As his friends try to help him grapple with his grief, they sometimes point out truth, but more often they cause even more pain and confusion. It’s only when God arrives to enlighten Job’s understanding that everything changes. First God questions Job’s knowledge ( Job 38:19–21 ), power ( Job 38:25–38 ), and ideas about justice ( Job 40:10–12 ). Then He shows Job that He is all of these things . The realization exposes Job’s heart. “Then Job answered Yahweh and said, ‘I know that you can do all things, and an...

Mundy's Quote for the Day Following one will place you in Hades for eternity, the  Other  will place you in heaven for eternity.       And if it seem evil unto you to serve  Jehovah , choose you this day whom ye will serve;  Joshua 24:15 Reverend Lynwood F. Mundy

SUNDAY , OCTOBER 26, 2014 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR A   Old Testament & Psalm , Option I               Old Testament       Deuteronomy 34:1–12              Psalm       Psalm 90:1–6 , 13–17   or Old Testament & Psalm , Option II               Old Testament       Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18              Psalm       Psalm 1              New Testament       1 Thessalonians 2:1–8              Gospel       Matthew 22:34–46 Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

Logos Verse for the Day