Bible Reflections breaks down into 50 weeks a year. This week is the second of two breaks in the year. This is a great time to reflect over what you have journaled or to journal some of those chapters you missed.
It is also a time to celebrate as we have journaled over 25% of the Bible. You are on your way to becoming more knowledgeable than maybe you ever imagined.
God Bless,
Pastor Charles
PS We begin again December 30th.
Monday, December 23, 2024
Friday, December 20, 2024
Isaiah 51
SATURDAY Reflections
God
here reminds Israel who made them and watches out for them. He promises that
His salvation is coming and will be eternal. Yes, God reminds them of the path
of punishment they have faced but now is giving them hope for a better future.
The
promise God makes is fulfilled in Jesus. He brings salvation which is eternal.
He is the one who will judge those who have done wrong to the righteous and
abused their authority. There is hope and happiness for those who can say,
"I am part of the Lord's people."
Isa 51:1-23
(1) Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
(2) Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
(3) For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
(4) Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
(5) My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
(6) Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
(7) Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
(8) For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
(9) Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
(10) Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
(11) Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
(12) I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
(13) And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
(14) The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
(15) But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.
(16) And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
(17) Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
(18) There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
(19) These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
(20) Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
(21) Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
(22) Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
(23) But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Leviticus 15
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| A bandaid, do we know how lucky we are to have modern medicine? |
FRIDAY Reflections
We
know today the dangers of bodily fluids especially blood. This chapter deals
with the problem of bleeding. The solution here is the same for any society
which doesn't have modern sanitation but wants to protect public health,
quarantine. For those who have all the modern conveniences it may seem extreme,
but with no medicines to speak of and no antibiotics these measures would save
lives. The one thing which stands out is the amount of washing which is to take
place, but again in modern times, it makes sense. God wasn't trying to make
their lives difficult he was giving people with primitive medicine the way to
stay healthy.
Lev 15:1-33
(1) And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,
(2) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.
(3) And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.
(4) Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.
(5) And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(6) And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(7) And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(8) And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(9) And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.
(10) And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(11) And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(12) And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.
(13) And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
(14) And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:
(15) And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.
(16) And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.
(17) And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.
(18) The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
(19) And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
(20) And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
(21) And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(22) And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(23) And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.
(24) And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.
(25) And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.
(26) Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.
(27) And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(28) But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
(29) And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
(30) And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.
(31) Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.
(32) This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith;
(33) And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
1 Thessalonians 5
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| Don't blow out what brings you life. |
THURSDAY Reflections
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not
quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all;
hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil" (1
Thessalonians 5:16-22). These two
Sentences (7 verses) may seem a little weird but when you consider how much is
in these two sentences it makes sense. There are seven entire messages a pastor
could preach on in these verses.
Here is my summary:
"Rejoice always,-- (Rejoice
in the Lord not in the circumstances because God never changes and not just on
Sunday)
pray continually,--
(This is an attitude of prayer and continually
means continually)
give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -- (Yes,
God wants you to give thanks because of Him not necessarily the circumstance)
Do not quench the Spirit.-- (Don’t
bite the hand that feeds you)
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all;
hold on to what is good, -- (Don’t treat
preached messages with contempt, but do see if they line up with scripture if
they do apply them. Don’t dismiss what you don’t like)
reject every kind of evil." -- (Evil,
the word here is related to pain, thus reject things which cause pain in others
and yourself. Wrong actions always cause pain to you eventually so reject
them.)
1Th 5:1-28
(1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
(2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
(3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
(4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
(5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
(8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
(9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
(10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
(11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
(12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
(14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
(15) See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
(16) Rejoice evermore.
(17) Pray without ceasing.
(18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(19) Quench not the Spirit.
(20) Despise not prophesyings.
(21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(25) Brethren, pray for us.
(26) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
(27) I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
(28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Psalm 41
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| How important is it to help others? |
Psalm 41
WEDNESDAY Reflections
What makes someone
poor? Depending on where you are this definition can change. According to many
standards, I currently am living in poverty (at the time of this writing).
According to most of the rest of the world, I am very wealthy.
So what makes
someone poor? I will define it as a lack of what is truly needed. In the movie,
It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey is lacking in money to cover the money his
uncle lost (but he was rich in friends). Though he had lots of money, Scrooge
in A Christmas Carol was poor in charity and love. People around the world are
lacking proper nutrition or clean water. In Revelations 3:17, Jesus tells the
church of Laodicea they are spiritually lacking. They are all poor in different
ways and God cares about them all.
The Psalmist
starts off this psalm of repentance with the declaration the person who helps
the poor is blessed. In this chapter, this is the poor who cannot reward you in
any way. God cares for those who help people who can’t help them in return.
This care for the
poor is loosely tied with God giving mercy to the sinner. A person who isn't
willing to reach out to others may not be in a place to receive help from God.
Even in the Lord's prayer, we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. I
might be stretching it a bit but perhaps having a heart that sees others' needs
is the first step in seeing our own.
Psa 41:1-13
(1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
(2) The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
(3) The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
(4) I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
(5) Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
(6) And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
(7) All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
(8) An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
(9) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
(10) But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
(11) By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
(12) And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
(13) Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Leviticus 14
TUESDAY Reflections
After the last
chapter, it seemed someone diagnosed with leprosy was hopeless. They could not
live with their family or walk among their community. The diagnosis was the
death before death.
One might wonder
if the priest could have misdiagnosed leprosy? It could be possible. Could
there be a chance of a miracle or some unexpected remission? Yes, and God
considered this when he placed the regulations for handling leprosy. God understood mistakes could be made by
flawed humans and that the unexpected even the miraculous could take place. He
turned the time into a reminder of God's mercy and reconciliation with the
community. The ability to offer sacrifice was the door into God's faith
community. The cleansing of clothes and shaving of hair showed things had
changed to everyone who saw them. There was even a way for a poor leper to
offer sacrifice. This chapter reminds me of God's mercy.
Lev 14:1-57
(1) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(2) This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:
(3) And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
(4) Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
(5) And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:
(6) As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
(7) And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.
(8) And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.
(9) But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.
(10) And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
(11) And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
(12) And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
(13) And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:
(14) And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
(15) And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
(16) And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:
(17) And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering:
(18) And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.
(19) And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:
(20) And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.
(21) And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
(22) And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.
(23) And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD.
(24) And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
(25) And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
(26) And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
(27) And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD:
(28) And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering:
(29) And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.
(30) And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
(31) Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.
(32) This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing.
(33) And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
(34) When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
(35) And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:
(36) Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:
(37) And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;
(38) Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:
(39) And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;
(40) Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
(41) And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:
(42) And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.
(43) And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plaistered;
(44) Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.
(45) And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place.
(46) Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.
(47) And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.
(48) And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
(49) And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
(50) And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:
(51) And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
(52) And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:
(53) But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.
(54) This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
(55) And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,
(56) And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:
(57) To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Leviticus 13
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| Astronauts were in quarantine until shown free of disease. |
MONDAY Reflections
In
a world without basic medicine and little understanding of diseases, God placed
in the Law rules concerning public safety. This chapter looks at leprosy.
Leprosy is mildly contagious via repeated exposure from the droplets of the
nose and mouth (interesting that God required a covering for these). It was a
horrible disease to die from as it rots off the extremities of the body
(fingers, toes, etc.).
God
instituted tests to see if someone had leprosy or not. God also instituted what
we would call quarantine measures for those diagnosed with leprosy. The reason
for this is clearly to keep people healthy. God wasn't being mean or hurtful,
but he did know as we do today, the best way not to get sick is to not be
exposed to a disease.
Lev 13:1-59
(1) And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,
(2) When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:
(3) And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
(4) If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:
(5) And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:
(6) And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
(7) But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again:
(8) And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy.
(9) When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;
(10) And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising;
(11) It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean.
(12) And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;
(13) Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean.
(14) But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.
(15) And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy.
(16) Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;
(17) And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean.
(18) The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,
(19) And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
(20) And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
(21) But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
(22) And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague.
(23) But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
(24) Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white;
(25) Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.
(26) But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
(27) And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.
(28) And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning.
(29) If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;
(30) Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
(31) And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:
(32) And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin;
(33) He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more:
(34) And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and, behold, if the scall be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
(35) But if the scall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;
(36) Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.
(37) But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
(38) If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;
(39) Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean.
(40) And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
(41) And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald: yet is he clean.
(42) And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead.
(43) Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
(44) He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head.
(45) And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.
(46) All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.
(47) The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;
(48) Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;
(49) And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest:
(50) And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days:
(51) And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.
(52) He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
(53) And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;
(54) Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more:
(55) And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.
(56) And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:
(57) And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a spreading plague: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire.
(58) And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.
(59) This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
Friday, December 13, 2024
Isaiah 50
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| You can put them back on. |
SATURDAY Reflection
For the people who
would complain that God had forsaken the people, God says this wasn't his doing
but theirs. The people had sold themselves into slavery. God did not forsake His
covenant or go back on His word, they did. The picture isn't just they went
back on their word but they did the job of putting themselves back into
slavery.
Some may disagree,
but I believe this carries over into the new covenant. We do not lose our
salvation. We don't forget our relationship with God. We can though choose to
walk away from it and forsake it. It isn't God's doing. He has given us His
Spirit so we can live above sin. He has given us a new nature. We can choose to
put ourselves back into slavery. It is our choice.
Isa 50:1-11
(1) Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
(2) Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
(3) I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
(4) The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
(5) The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
(6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
(7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
(8) He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
(9) Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
(10) Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
(11) Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
1 Thessalonians 4
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| Just work. |
FRIDAY Reflections
How to live, what
to avoid, what happens after death are all in this chapter. Consider what is
God speaking to you most strongly about today and perhaps write about it.
For me, verses
11&12 stand out. they say "Make it your goal to live a quiet life,
minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed
you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live,
and you will not need to depend on others" (NLT). Some of the people,
history remembers fondly, aren't the ones yelling through blow horns or leading
riots, but are the Martin Luther Kings, Mother Teresas, Lady Dianas and even
some grandmothers and grandfathers. These people lived their lives doing their
own work with their own hands and lived respectfully. Paul spent much of his
time just working, even when he preached. Paul didn't try to start a riot,
though I do notice many of his opponents did. So the question is, "Are we
living respectable lives?"
1Th 4:1-18
(1) Furthermore, then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
(2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
(3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
(4) That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
(5) Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
(6) That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
(8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
(9) But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
(10) And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
(11) And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
(12) That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
1 Thessalonians 3
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| Be Encouraging! by living right. |
THURSDAY Reflections
Very
little can strengthen you as much getting news someone you care about is doing
well. In battle, men fighting are encouraged when they hear that a wounded
comrade made it to the hospital. I have personally seen parents who are dying
comforted by the news their children are doing well. In ministry, it is always
comforting to hear those you helped are still serving the Lord. Perhaps just
holding on to our faith and living as God wants us to is one of the greatest
gifts we can give to our spiritual mentors. As a pastor, I believe it is, just
as it seemed to be for Paul.
1Th 3:1-13
(1) Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
(2) And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
(3) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
(4) For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
(5) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
(6) But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
(7) Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
(8) For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
(9) For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
(10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
(11) Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
(12) And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
(13) To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Psalm 40
Psalm 40
WEDNESDAY Reflections
He Brought Me Out
Dr. Henry J. Zelley, 1898
My heart was distressed ’neath Jehovah’s dread frown,
And low in the pit where my sins dragged me down;
I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay,
Who tenderly brought me out to golden day.
- Refrain:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah!
Whenever I read Psalm 40, I can't help but sing Dr. Zelley's song. As of the time of this writing, I have not found evidence if this psalm is the inspiration for his words, but I do know they are the cry of many a person who calls out to God. It is also the song of the person God has saved.
There is more to the song, look it up and sing for joy.
Psa 40:1-17
(1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
(2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
(3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
(4) Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
(5) Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
(6) Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
(7) Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
(8) I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
(9) I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
(10) I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
(11) Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
(12) For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
(13) Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
(14) Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
(15) Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
(16) Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
(17) But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Photo by Tadas Mikuckis on Unsplash
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