Pondering (8-13-2021)

Set Your Affection On Things Above
Mortify Therefore Your Members Which are Upon the Earth
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:– Colossians 3:1-6

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God
Shun Profane and Vain Babblings
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. – 2 Timothy 2:15-16

Flee Youthful Lusts
Follow Righteousness
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22

Hold Fast the Profession of Our Faith Without Wavering
Consider One Another to Provoke Unto Love and Good Works
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works – Hebrews 10:23-24

If We Sin Wilfully After That We Have Received the Knowledge of the Truth
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? – Hebrews 10:26-29

This is the Word of God!

Posted in Hiding His Word

The Counsel of the LORD Standeth Forever

Nehemiah 5:14–7:73; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

The Counsel of the LORD Standeth Forever
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:10-11

______

Think Upon Me, My God
Nehemiah as governor, could have taken from the people but instead, because of the burden the people were already under, he did not. He took all the resources needed for himself and the 150 in his household. All he asked was that the Lord remember what he did.

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. – Nehemiah 5:19

O God, Strengthen My Hands
Over and over, Sanballat and Tobiah asked Nehemiah to meet with them. Over and over, Nehemiah refused. So they made up rumors that the reason he built the wall was that he was setting himself up to be king. They once again asked him to come and meet with them. Nehemiah instead sent his answer to them and prayed to God.

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. – Nehemiah 6:8-9

My God, Think Thou Upon These According to Their Works
Then prophets came to tell him that he would be killed that night and go with them to hide in the temple. Nehemiah, though, discerned that these “prophets” were not sent by God but hired by Sanballat and Tobiah to prophesy against him. They wanted him to be afraid and in fear, then sin. If he sinned by entering the temple to save his life, they could report it to the people, and the people would turn away from him. Nehemiah prayed.

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. – Nehemiah 6:14

The Wall was Finished and Our Enemies Perceived This Work was Wrought of Our God
So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
– Nehemiah 6:15-16

______

Knowledge Puffeth Up, But Charity Edifieth
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. – 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

We Know an Idol Is Nothing in the World
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. – 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

Howbeit There is Not in Every Man that Knowledge
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. – 1 Corinthians 8:7-8

Take Heed Lest Your Liberty Becomes a Stumblingblock
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; – 1 Corinthians 8:9-10

When Ye Sin So Against the Brethren, Ye Sin Against Christ
and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. – 1 Corinthians 8:11-13

______

The Way of Man
The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. – Proverbs 21:8

Froward – willfully contrary; not easily managed

 

 

Posted in Hiding His Word

A Mind to Work

Nehemiah 3:15–5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

A Mind to Work
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. – Nehemiah 4:6

This verse reminded me of another:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. – 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:10‬

That Ye May Attend Upon the Lord Without Distraction
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

The Thoughts of the Diligent
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. – Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste come surely to poverty.
 – Proverbs 21:5 AMP

Diligent – Constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything; done or pursued with persevering attention; characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

He Will Instruct Me and Teach Me in the Way I Should Go
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. – Psalm 32:8-10

Oh Lord, please give us (individually, as a church body, and as a nation) minds to work as You have instructed us and taught us, with all diligence and without distraction. Guide us today, Holy Ghost, and give us a great understanding of Your will and your ways. Please have mercy on us and give us hearts that would trust in You no matter what this day holds. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Let Every Man, Wherein He is Called, Therein Abide with God

Nehemiah 1:1–3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

Let Every Man, Wherein He is Called, Therein Abide with God
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
– 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

______

The Remnant are in Great Affliction and Reproach
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
 – Nehemiah 1:3

Wept, Mourned, Fasted, and Prayed
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, and said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. –
 Nehemiah 1:4-7

Remember the Word That Thou Commandedst Moses
Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: but if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. – Nehemiah 1:8-11a

The King’s Cupbearer
For I was the king’s cupbearer.
 – Nehemiah 1:11b

Let Us Build Up the Wall of Jerusalem
Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
 – Nehemiah 2:17-18

The God of Heaven Will Prosper Us
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
 – Nehemiah 2:19-20

______

Oh How Great is Thy Goodness
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
 – Psalm 31:19

The Plowing of the Wicked
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin
. – Proverbs 21:4

Plowing – to move forcefully into or through something; to tear up, cut into

Posted in Hiding His Word

Have Mercy Upon Me, O Lord

Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

Have Mercy Upon Me, O Lord, For I am in Trouble
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. – Psalm 31:9-10

______

Do Ye Not Know that the Saints Shall Judge the World?
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. – 1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Utterly a Fault Among You, Because Ye Go to Law One with Another
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. – 1 Corinthians 6:7-8

The Unrighteousness Shall Not Inherit the Kingdom of God
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God
. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

He that is Joined Unto the Lord is One Spirit
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-17

Glorify God in Your Body, and in Your Spirit, Which are God’s
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

______

Yet Now There is Hope in Israel Concerning This Thing
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it. – Ezra 10:1-4

Separate Yourselves from the Land
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. – Ezra 10:10-11

______

Justice and Judgment More Acceptable than Sacrifice
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. – Proverbs 21:3

Pondering (8-9-2021)

Be Ye Separate
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, And ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. – 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Separate – to keep apart or divide; to remove or sever from association; to force apart

Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. – 2 Corinthians 7:1

Perfecting – being entirely without fault or defect; flawless; satisfying all requirements;corresponding to an ideal standard; faithfully reproducing the original

Posted in Hiding His Word

For Thy Name’s Sake Lead Me, and Guide Me

Ezra 8:21–9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

For Thy Name’s Sake Lead Me, and Guide Me
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. – Psalm 31:1-5

______

The People of Israel Have Not Separated Themselves
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations.

For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. – Ezra 9:1a, 2-4

Our Iniquities Are Increased Over Our Head
And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, and said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. – Ezra 9:5-7

God Hath Not Forsaken Us In Our Bondage
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. – Ezra 9:8-9

We Have Forsaken Thy Commandments
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. – Ezra 9:10-12

God Hast Punished Us Less Than Our Iniquities Deserve
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us tillthou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this. – Ezra 9:13-15

______

Ye are Puffed Up, and Have Not Rather Mourned
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Destruction of the Flesh, That the Spirit May Be Saved
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. – 1 Corinthians 5:3-5

Purge Out Therefore the Old Leaven
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Do Ye Not Judge Them That are Within? But Them That are Without God Judgeth
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. – 1 Corinthians 5:9-12

Therefore
Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

______

The LORD Pondereth the Hearts
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. – Proverbs 21:2

 

 

Pondering (8-8-2021)

A few verses I am pondering tonight:

There Will Your Heart Be
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
. – Matthew 6:19-21

He That Doeth the Will of My Father
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven
. – Matthew 7:21

Love the Lord Thy God With All Thy Heart, Soul, and Mind
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. – Matthew 22:37

Posted in Hiding His Word

For We Are Made a Spectacle

Ezra 7:1–8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

Spectacle – anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive king; a public’s show or display, especially on a large scale

Judge Nothing Before the Time, Until the Lord Come
Let a man so account of us [Paul and his coworkers], as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

For Who Maketh Thee to Differ From Another?
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
– 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

For We Are Made a Spectacle
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. – 1 Corinthians 4:8-13

Ten Thousand Instructors in Christ, Yet Not Many Fathers
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. – 1 Corinthians 4:14-17

Shall I Come with a Rod, or in Love, and in the Spirit of Meekness?
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? – 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

______

Ezra was a Ready Scribe
this Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. – Ezra 7:6

Scribe – a member of a learned class in ancient Israel though New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists

Ezra Prepared His Heart
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. – Ezra 7:10

______

That My Glory May Sing Praise to Thee
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. – Psalm 30:11-12

The Beauty of Old Men
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. – Proverbs 20:29

Posted in Hiding His Word

The Voice of the LORD is Full of Majesty

Ezra 4:24–6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27

The Voice of the LORD is Full of Majesty
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. – Psalm 29:3-9

______

He that Planteth and He that Watereth are One
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

A Wise Masterbuilder
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Ye are the Temple of God
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. – 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

______

For the LORD Had Made Them Joyful
And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. – Ezra 6:19-22

______

A Wise King Scattereth the Wicked
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. – Proverbs 20:26

A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain]. – Proverbs 20:26 AMP

Searching All the Inward Parts
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. – Proverbs 20:27

The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. – Proverbs 20:27 AMP