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elders

Day 8/5 – A Biblical Response

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Humility  – 1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV)  “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you,”  1 Peter 5:5-6

“When we work for Christ out of obligation, it feels like work. But when we truly love Christ, our work is a manifestation of that love, and it feels like love.”  Francis Chan

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

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A Biblical Response

Day Two Hundred Seventeen

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 18:20

God visited Mary with the news that she would bear the Messiah.  Now pregnant, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth.  Upon Mary’s return home people saw that she, an unmarried woman, carried a child.  Joseph, her betrothed, knowing that the child was not his, elected to quietly terminate the relationship.  God visited Joseph with the explanation that Mary’s conception came from the Holy Spirit.

Why didn’t God reverse this process, coming first to Joseph to explain His plan? You can imagine the trauma, accusations, tears, and heartache that took place when Mary was found with child.  After Joseph heard from God he could protect her; before God spoke, all he could do is suppose the child to be illegitimate.

You can see Joseph’s greatness in how he handled the situation.  He was not vindictive when he first heard of Mary’s pregnancy, and cooperated with God in the role God called upon him to play.  Content to live in the background and be a pawn in the great plan of God, we know little about him.  That is why he is great. Your greatness will not be a measure of how God uses you, but of how you respond to how God uses you.

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Psalm 68-69 Romans 8:1-21 (New King James Version)

Psalm 68-69

The Glory of God in His Goodness to Israel

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 

Let God arise,

Let His enemies be scattered;

Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.

2 

As smoke is driven away,

So drive themaway;

As wax melts before the fire,

Solet the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 

But let the righteous be glad;

Let them rejoice before God;

Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

4 

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

Extol[a] Him who rides on the [b]clouds,

By His name [c]Yah,

And rejoice before Him.

5 

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,

IsGod in His holy habitation.

6 

God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7 

O God, when You went out before Your people,

When You marched through the wilderness, Selah

8 

The earth shook;

The heavens also dropped rainat the presence of God;

Sinai itself was movedat the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 

You, O God, sent a plentiful rain,

Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance,

When it was weary.

10 

Your congregation dwelt in it;

You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

11 

The Lord gave the word;

Great wasthe [d]company of those who proclaimed it:

12 

“Kings of armies flee, they flee,

And she who remains at home divides the [e]spoil.

13 

Though you lie down among the [f]sheepfolds,

You will belike the wings of a dove covered with silver,

And her feathers with yellow gold.”

14 

When the Almighty scattered kings in it,

It was whiteas snow in Zalmon.

15 

A mountain of God isthe mountain of Bashan;

A mountain of manypeaks isthe mountain of Bashan.

16 

Why do you [g]fume with envy, you mountains of manypeaks?

This isthe mountain whichGod desires to dwell in;

Yes, the Lord will dwell in itforever.

17 

The chariots of God aretwenty thousand,

Eventhousands of thousands;

The Lord is among them as inSinai, in the Holy Place.

18 

You have ascended on high,

You have led captivity captive;

You have received gifts among men,

Even fromthe rebellious,

That the Lord God might dwell there.

19 

Blessed bethe Lord,

Whodaily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation! Selah

20 

Our God isthe God of salvation;

And to God the Lord belongescapes from death.

21 

But God will wound the head of His enemies,

The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.

22 

The Lord said, “I will bring back from Bashan,

I will bring themback from the depths of the sea,

23 

That [h]your foot may crush themin blood,

And the tongues of your dogs may havetheir portion from yourenemies.”

24 

They have seen Your [i]procession, O God,

The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

25 

The singers went before, the players on instruments followedafter;

Among them werethe maidens playing timbrels.

26 

Bless God in the congregations,

The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

27 

There islittle Benjamin, their leader,

The princes of Judah andtheir [j]company,

The princes of Zebulun andthe princes of Naphtali.

28 

[k]Your God has commanded your strength;

Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

29 

Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,

Kings will bring presents to You.

30 

Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,

The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,

Till everyonesubmits himself with pieces of silver.

Scatter the peoples whodelight in war.

31 

Envoys will come out of Egypt;

Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.

32 

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;

Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah

33 

To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which wereof old!

Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.

34 

Ascribe strength to God;

His excellence isover Israel,

And His strength isin the clouds.

35 

O God, You aremore awesome than Your holy places.

The God of Israel isHe who gives strength and power to Hispeople.

Blessed beGod!

An Urgent Plea for Help in Trouble

To the Chief Musician. Set to [l]“The Lilies.” A Psalmof David.

69 

Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my[m]neck.

2 

I sink in deep mire,

Where there isno standing;

I have come into deep waters,

Where the floods overflow me.

3 

I am weary with my crying;

My throat is dry;

My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 

Those who hate me without a cause

Are more than the hairs of my head;

They are mighty who would destroy me,

Beingmy enemies wrongfully;

Though I have stolen nothing,

I stillmust restore it.

5 

O God, You know my foolishness;

And my sins are not hidden from You.

6 

Let not those who [n]wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me;

Let not those who seek You be [o]confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

7 

Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;

Shame has covered my face.

8 

I have become a stranger to my brothers,

And an alien to my mother’s children;

9 

Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,

And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

10 

When I wept and chastenedmy soul with fasting,

That became my reproach.

11 

I also [p]made sackcloth my garment;

I became a byword to them.

12 

Those who [q]sit in the gate speak against me,

And I amthe song of the drunkards.

13 

But as for me, my prayer isto You,

O Lord, inthe acceptable time;

O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,

Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

14 

Deliver me out of the mire,

And let me not sink;

Let me be delivered from those who hate me,

And out of the deep waters.

15 

Let not the floodwater overflow me,

Nor let the deep swallow me up;

And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

16 

Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness isgood;

Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.

17 

And do not hide Your face from Your servant,

For I am in trouble;

Hear me speedily.

18 

Draw near to my soul, andredeem it;

Deliver me because of my enemies.

19 

You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;

My adversaries areall before You.

20 

Reproach has broken my heart,

And I am full of [r]heaviness;

I looked for someoneto take pity, but there wasnone;

And for comforters, but I found none.

21 

They also gave me gall for my food,

And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

22 

Let their table become a snare before them,

And their well-being a trap.

23 

Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see;

And make their loins shake continually.

24 

Pour out Your indignation upon them,

And let Your wrathful anger take hold of them.

25 

Let their dwelling place be desolate;

Let no one live in their tents.

26 

For they persecute the onesYou have struck,

And talk of the grief of those You have wounded.

27 

Add iniquity to their iniquity,

And let them not come into Your righteousness.

28 

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,

And not be written with the righteous.

29 

But I ampoor and sorrowful;

Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 

I will praise the name of God with a song,

And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

31 

Thisalso shall please the Lord better than an ox orbull,

Which has horns and hooves.

32 

The humble shall see this andbe glad;

And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.

33 

For the Lord hears the poor,

And does not despise His prisoners.

34 

Let heaven and earth praise Him,

The seas and everything that moves in them.

35 

For God will save Zion

And build the cities of Judah,

That they may dwell there and possess it.

36 

Also, the [s]descendants of His servants shall inherit it,

And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

Footnotes:

  • Psalm 68:4 Praise
  • Psalm 68:4 MT deserts;Tg. heavens(cf. v. 34and Is. 19:1)
  • Psalm 68:4 Lit. Lord, a shortened Heb. form
  • Psalm 68:11 host
  • Psalm 68:12 plunder
  • Psalm 68:13 Or saddlebags
  • Psalm 68:16 Lit. stare
  • Psalm 68:23 LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg. you may dip your foot
  • Psalm 68:24 Lit. goings
  • Psalm 68:27 throng
  • Psalm 68:28 LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg. Command, O God
  • Psalm 69:1 Heb. Shoshannim
  • Psalm 69:1 Lit. soul
  • Psalm 69:6 Wait in faith
  • Psalm 69:6 dishonored
  • Psalm 69:11 Symbolic of sorrow
  • Psalm 69:12 Sit as judges
  • Psalm 69:20 Lit. sickness
  • Psalm 69:36 Lit. seed

Romans 8:1-21

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There istherefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God didby sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who liveaccording to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded isdeath, but to be spiritually minded islife and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind isenmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ isin you, the body isdead because of sin, but the Spirit islife because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [d]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Sonship Through the Spirit

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be comparedwith the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected itin hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Footnotes:

  • Romans 8:1 NU omits the rest of v. 1.
  • Romans 8:6 fleshly
  • Romans 8:7 fleshly
  • Romans 8:11 Or because of
  • Romans 8:15 Lit., in Aram., Father
  • Romans 8:21 decay

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

UPDATE: You can’t make this stuff up… Sounds like a script for a movie…

As you may know, we have kept Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico on our Prayer Request list for quite a while now. This Sister and her family, in a short time period, has been hit with a more tragedies(persecution) than most of us in an entire life time…  the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children. RECENTLY, her modest home (a shack by any American standard) was burnt to the ground. …Her neighbor’s house caught fire and due to the closeness of her home, it caught fire, too.  Brothers & Sisters, please Pray for God’s Holy touch on Fabiola and her family.  Although we, His Children, are closely monitoring what assistance the Family of God might be able to provide the family through our Brother Ron Brink, in Mexico… our Prayers are essential. Please don’t relent!

Please continue to Pray for Geo, a banker, who was deployed by the military to the Mideast. Pray God would keep him safe and that God would bring Geo closer to Him; and, that Geo would share God with all his company and those who come in contact with him. 

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UPDATE: I’ve been told by one Geo’s co-workers, Lorraine Flores, who says she considers Geo a son, that the day Geo was deployed to the Mideast, his girlfriend delivered his new baby. Please Pray Geo would Walk in God’s Light and be a Godly husband and father. And, please Pray for Geo’s family. (Also, please Pray for both Lorraine Flores and her biological son that was deployed the same day as Geo, but to Africa.)

Please continue to Pray for Brother David Porter’s friend’s son, Giovanni (18yrs old). He was checked into an inpatient behavioral health facility last night. He is on suicide watch. Pray against the demon and lie of Suicide and Satan’s attacks on his life. Please Pray for God’s Strength, Healing, and Peace.

Please continue to Prayer for Sister Kay’s Granddaughter, and Sister Diana’s daughter, Alyssa, who is on medical mission in Spain. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark Pedder, a missionary in the Philippines. Please Pray for Mark, Mark’s wife for strength in their trials, tribulations and persecution. 

Please Pray for Brother David Porter’s sponsoring “Refuge for Women” an upcoming “Refuge Uniting In Prayer” meeting scheduled for August 14th. Pray for the for those involved in assisting women, the women who are victims and those warring with the sex trafficking industry in Las Vegas. 

Please continue to Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt to be reconciled with his son and his son’s family. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters. Both parents has stayed single all this time of separation… Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning their reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers.  

AND, let each of us use Frank’s example and share the Love and Salvation of Jesus to our coworkers, employees, family friends and acquaintances.  Brothers and Sisters, let’s take advantage of our God given opportunities, invest in the Eternal!

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith. 

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Please stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/24 – The Inadequacy of Reason

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Separate From the World  – Romans 12:2 (ESV)  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2 

“A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone.” Billy Graham

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

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The Inadequacy of Reason

Day Two Hundred Five

“None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.  But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him,'” 1 Corinthians 2:8-9

Paul gives two illustrations of reason’s inadequacy.  First, if the rulers and intellectual giants during the days of Jesus Christ understood who He is, they would never have crucified Him.  The best that the world had to offer, when meeting Jesus, was that He should be destroyed.  Just as human reason did not stop these people from killing the Savior, so it cannot help you find God.

Paul’s second illustration of reason’s inadequacy is seen in your ability to understand the future.  Your reason cannot give you a clear picture of heaven. All you can know about it is what God has revealed.  You only know the ways of God to the degree that He reveals them to you. Even after you have come to know Christ as your Lord and Savior, reason can take you no further than revelation.

Develop convictions from your understanding of revelation, but take them no further; do not make absolute what the Bible does not make absolute.  For example, a great deal of what many Christians believe about heaven is what they want heaven to be like rather than what Scripture promises.  Be content to live within biblical limits, believing no more and no less.

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Psalm 35-36 Acts 25 (New King James Version)

Psalm 35-36

The Lord the Avenger of His People

A Psalmof David.

35 

Plead[a] my cause,O Lord, with those who strive with me;

Fight against those who fight against me.

2 

Take hold of shield and [b]buckler,

And stand up for my help.

3 

Also draw out the spear,

And stop those who pursue me.

Say to my soul,

“I amyour salvation.”

4 

Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor

Who seek after my life;

Let those be turned back and brought to confusion

Who plot my hurt.

5 

Let them be like chaff before the wind,

And let the [c]angel of the Lord chase them.

6 

Let their way be dark and slippery,

And let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 

For without cause they have hidden their net for me ina pit,

Whichthey have dug without cause for my life.

8 

[d]Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,

And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;

Into that very destruction let him fall.

9 

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord;

It shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 

All my bones shall say,

“Lord, who islike You,

Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him,

Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”

11 

Fierce witnesses rise up;

They ask me thingsthat I do not know.

12 

They reward me evil for good,

Tothe sorrow of my soul.

13 

But as for me, when they were sick,

My clothing wassackcloth;

I humbled myself with fasting;

And my prayer would return to my own [e]heart.

14 

I paced about as though he weremy friend orbrother;

I bowed down [f]heavily, as one who mourns for hismother.

15 

But in my [g]adversity they rejoiced

And gathered together;

Attackers gathered against me,

And I did not know it;

They tore at meand did not cease;

16 

With ungodly mockers at feasts

They gnashed at me with their teeth.

17 

Lord, how long will You look on?

Rescue me from their destructions,

My precious lifefrom the lions.

18 

I will give You thanks in the great assembly;

I will praise You among [h]many people.

19 

Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;

Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.

20 

For they do not speak peace,

But they devise deceitful matters

Against thequiet ones in the land.

21 

They also opened their mouth wide against me,

Andsaid, “Aha, aha!

Our eyes have seen it.”

22 

ThisYou have seen, O Lord;

Do not keep silence.

O Lord, do not be far from me.

23 

Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,

To my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 

Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness;

And let them not rejoice over me.

25 

Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!”

Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion

Who rejoice at my hurt;

Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor

Who exalt themselves against me.

27 

Let them shout for joy and be glad,

Who favor my righteous cause;

And let them say continually,

“Let the Lord be magnified,

Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

28 

And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness

Andof Your praise all the day long.

Man’s Wickedness and God’s Perfections

To the Chief Musician. A Psalmof David the servant of the Lord.

36 

An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:

There isno fear of God before his eyes.

2 

For he flatters himself in his own eyes,

When he finds out his iniquity andwhen he hates.

3 

The words of his mouth arewickedness and deceit;

He has ceased to be wise andto do good.

4 

He devises wickedness on his bed;

He sets himself in a way that isnot good;

He does not [i]abhor evil.

5 

Your mercy, O Lord, isin the heavens;

Your faithfulness reachesto the clouds.

6 

Your righteousness islike the [j]great mountains;

Your judgments area great deep;

O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

7 

How precious isYour lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

8 

They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,

And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

9 

For with You isthe fountain of life;

In Your light we see light.

10 

Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,

And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 

Let not the foot of pride come against me,

And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 

There the workers of iniquity have fallen;

They have been cast down and are not able to rise.

Footnotes:

  • Psalm 35:1 Contend for me
  • Psalm 35:2 A small shield
  • Psalm 35:5 Or Angel
  • Psalm 35:8 Lit. Let destruction he does not know come upon him,
  • Psalm 35:13 Lit. bosom
  • Psalm 35:14 in mourning
  • Psalm 35:15 limping, stumbling
  • Psalm 35:18 a mighty
  • Psalm 36:4 reject, loathe
  • Psalm 36:6 Lit. mountains of God

Acts 25

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the [a]high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while theylay in ambush along the road to kill him. 4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going thereshortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with meand accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”

6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Paul Before Agrippa

13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man [b]to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I [c]supposed, 19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”

23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great [d]pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

Footnotes:

  • Acts 25:2 NU chief priests
  • Acts 25:16 NU omits to destruction,although it is implied
  • Acts 25:18 suspected
  • Acts 25:23 pageantry

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please Pray for my daughter, Jonna, and 6 of our grandchildren … We are spending the week with them in SD, CA and doing a mini vacation Bible school and sharing Jesus with them. Please Pray The Holy Spirit would guide each one of them to His Loving Salvation.  

Praise Report: Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, had eye surgery and is full of giggles and smiles. As they will not know the results from the surgery for some time, please continue to Pray for Logan. 

Please continue to Pray for Lidia’s husband, Carlos, who needs heart surgery, but has been in the hospital for over a week now with pneumonia. 

Please Pray for Brother Walt’s son, Elijah, Emilia, Elijah’s girl friend, and their new baby. Pray that Walt be reunited with his son and family. 

Please Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s friend and Sister in the Lord, Rachael, who has received her counceling degree  and is looking for a job. Pray she uses the Bible as her only counceling Guide to lead her clients to the Lord. 

Please Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

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Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/23 – Message and Messenger

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Separate From the World  – 1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world.”  1 John 2:15-16

“The phrase “he is financially independent” means that he is insulated from the gyrations of an uncertain economy.  God does not want you “independent,” but rather dependent upon Him.  People perceive money as the key to freedom, and thus their goal is in conflict with God’s goal for them.  The servant of Christ understands this tension between his appetite and God’s will, and prays for the balance between poverty and riches.  He knows in his depravity that he can err in either direction of greed and pride; in his greed he steals and in his pride he renounces his need of God.”   Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”)

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

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Message and Messenger

Day Two Hundred Four

“And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Paul sought to make his life a reflection of the gospel; that is, make the messenger like the message.  Just as the gospel appears weak and foolish to the world, so does the preacher.  The foundation of your faith is not reason, but the wisdom of the cross.  Paul, in his preaching, makes no reference to the inferiority of heathen gods or the folly of idolatry.  Neither does he seek to give proofs for the existence of God.  The power is not in the argument of the messenger, but in the message.  “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”274

Conversion comes solely through the gospel in all of its simplicity, not because of craftily formed arguments and logic.  Proclaim the gospel from a posture of inadequacy and dependence.  Don’t try to impress people through technique. You will not bring people to conversion by satisfying the needs of reason.  They come because the Holy Spirit has transformed their hearts.

The gospel is eminently reasonable when you accept its presuppositions.  But logic and reason cannot bring a person to acceptance.  This marks the difference between the seeker and the skeptic.  Reason may help the seeker, because God has already touched his heart, but it can do nothing for the skeptic.  Human wisdom is not bad.  It just cannot bring a person to God.

274  I Corinthians 2:2

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Psalm 33-34 Acts 24 (New King James Version)

Psalm 33-34

The Sovereignty of the Lord in Creation and History

33 

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!

Forpraise from the upright is beautiful.

2 

Praise the Lord with the harp;

[a]Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.

3 

Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

4 

For the word of the Lord isright,

And all His work is donein truth.

5 

He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

6 

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

7 

He gathers the waters of the sea together [b]as a heap;

He lays up the deep in storehouses.

8 

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

9 

For He spoke, and it was done;

He commanded, and it stood fast.

10 

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

11 

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.

12 

Blessed isthe nation whose God isthe Lord,

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

13 

The Lord looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

14 

From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth;

15 

He fashions their hearts individually;

He [c]considers all their works.

16 

No king issaved by the multitude of an army;

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 

A horse isa [d]vain hope for safety;

Neither shall it deliver anyby its great strength.

18 

Behold, the eye of the Lord ison those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

19 

To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.

20 

Our soul waits for the Lord;

He isour help and our shield.

21 

For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.

The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God

A Psalmof David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

34 

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shallcontinually bein my mouth.

2 

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of itand be glad.

3 

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

4 

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5 

They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.

7 

The [e]angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them.

8 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord isgood;

Blessed isthe man whotrusts in Him!

9 

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!

There isno [f]want to those who fear Him.

10 

The young lions lack and suffer hunger;

But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

11 

Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 

Who isthe man whodesires life,

And loves manydays, that he may see good?

13 

Keep your tongue from evil,

And your lips from speaking deceit.

14 

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

15 

The eyes of the Lord areon the righteous,

And His ears are opento their cry.

16 

The face of the Lord isagainst those who do evil,

To [g]cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 

The righteouscry out, and the Lord hears,

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 

The Lord isnear to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as [h]have a contrite spirit.

19 

Many arethe afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 

He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.

21 

Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous shall be [i]condemned.

22 

The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Footnotes:

  • Psalm 33:2 Lit. Sing to Him
  • Psalm 33:7 LXX, Tg., Vg. in a vessel
  • Psalm 33:15 understands
  • Psalm 33:17 false
  • Psalm 34:7 Or Angel
  • Psalm 34:9 lack
  • Psalm 34:16 destroy
  • Psalm 34:18 are crushed in spirit
  • Psalm 34:21 held guilty

Acts 24

Accused of Sedition

24 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator namedTertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and [a]prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept italways and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your [b]courtesy, a few words from us. 5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, [c]and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took himout of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also [d]assented, maintaining that these things were so.

The Defense Before Felix

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of thedead, both of thejust and theunjust. 16 This beingso, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are herethemselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it isfor this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Felix Procrastinates

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of theWay, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let himhave liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, [g]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Footnotes:

  • Acts 24:2 Or reforms are
  • Acts 24:4 graciousness
  • Acts 24:6 NU ends the sentence here and omits the rest of v. 6, all of v. 7, and the first clause of v. 8.
  • Acts 24:9 NU, M joined the attack
  • Acts 24:15 NU omits of the dead
  • Acts 24:20 NU, M what wrongdoing they found
  • Acts 24:26 NU omits that he might release him

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please Pray for my daughter, Jonna, and 6 of our grandchildren … We are spending the week them in SD, CA and doing a mini vacation Bible school and sharing Jesus with them. Please Pray The Holy Spirit would guide each one of them to His Loving Salvation.  

Praise Report: Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, had eye surgery and is full of giggles and smiles. As they will not know the results from the surgery for some time, please continue to Pray for Logan. 

Please continue to Pray for Lidia’s husband, Carlos, who needs heart surgery, but has been in the hospital for over a week now with pneumonia. 

Please Pray for Brother Walt’s son, Elijah, Emilia, Elijah’s girl friend, and their new baby. Pray that Walt be reunited with his son and family. 

Please Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s friend and Sister in the Lord, Rachael, who has received her counceling degree  and is looking for a job. Pray she uses the Bible as her only counceling Guide to lead her clients to the Lord. 

Please Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

+++

Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/20 – A Time of Testing

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His Help in Temptation  – Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments! I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”   Psalm 119:9-11

“Whenever you start talking to people about some quality of the Lord, by the time you’ve finished the conversation, you find that very quality in your own heart. It’s incredible how that works. Start telling someone how awesome Jesus is, and by the time you conclude, you’ll be totally in awe of Jesus. Start sharing about the God of grace and you’ll find yourself receiving the grace of God. That is why I encourage you to share your faith — not because it is a job to do — but because it is a joy to experience.”     Jon Courson

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+++

A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

+++

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A Time of Testing

Day Two Hundred One

“And although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her.” Genesis 39:10

Joseph was not perfect, but he could not have anticipated the response of his brothers when he visited them in the field wearing his colored coat.  They threw him into a pit and sold him to a caravan passing by.  His own family had sold him into slavery with no hope of deliverance.  In Egypt he was sold to the household of Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh.  When Potiphar was out on business, his wife daily coaxed Joseph to sin with her. And why not?  God had forsaken him, allowing him to fall into this terrible situation.  He was away from home and the moral restraint of his family.  Why not take the woman and with her plot the death of her husband in hopes of taking his place?

Deep in the sinew of Joseph’s moral fiber he refused to yield.  Sometime before his testing he must have purposed in his heart to follow the Lord irrespective of the circumstances.  These kinds of decisions you must make before the hour of temptation.  When you are in the midst of the test you probably won’t have the perspective or resolve to make the decision.  You will almost always end up doing what you mentally accept as possible.  Lot ended in Sodom because Sodom was in Lot.  Where is your line across which you refuse to go?  You do well to draw it before your time of testing.

———/://///

Psalm 26-28 Acts 22 (New King James Version)

Psalm 26-28

A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption

A Psalmof David.

26 

Vindicate me, O Lord,

For I have walked in my integrity.

I have also trusted in the Lord;

I shall not slip.

2 

Examine me, O Lord, and [a]prove me;

Try my mind and my heart.

3 

For Your lovingkindness isbefore my eyes,

And I have walked in Your truth.

4 

I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,

Nor will I go in with hypocrites.

5 

I have hated the assembly of evildoers,

And will not sit with the wicked.

6 

I will wash my hands in innocence;

So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,

7 

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,

And tell of all Your wondrous works.

8 

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house,

And the place [b]where Your glory dwells.

9 

Do[c] not gather my soul with sinners,

Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

10 

In whose hands isa sinister scheme,

And whose right hand is full of bribes.

11 

But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;

Redeem me and be merciful to me.

12 

My foot stands in an even place;

In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

An Exuberant Declaration of Faith

A Psalmof David.

27 

The Lord ismy light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord isthe strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 

When the wicked came against me

To eat[d] up my flesh,

My enemies and foes,

They stumbled and fell.

3 

Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will beconfident.

4 

One thingI have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the [e]beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

5 

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 

And now my head shall be [f]lifted up above my enemies all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of [g]joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 

Hear, O Lord, whenI cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 

When You said,“Seek My face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

9 

Do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

10 

When my father and my mother forsake me,

Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 

Teach me Your way, O Lord,

And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

12 

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

13 

I would have lost heart,unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

14 

Wait[h] on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Rejoicing in Answered Prayer

A Psalmof David.

28 

To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock:

Do not be silent to me,

Lest, if You aresilent to me,

I become like those who go down to the pit.

2 

Hear the voice of my supplications

When I cry to You,

When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

3 

Do not [i]take me away with the wicked

And with the workers of iniquity,

Who speak peace to their neighbors,

But evil isin their hearts.

4 

Give them according to their deeds,

And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;

Give them according to the work of their hands;

Render to them what they deserve.

5 

Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,

Nor the operation of His hands,

He shall destroy them

And not build them up.

6 

Blessed bethe Lord,

Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!

7 

The Lord ismy strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him.

8 

The Lord is[j]their strength,

And He isthe saving refuge of His [k]anointed.

9 

Save Your people,

And bless Your inheritance;

Shepherd them also,

And bear them up forever.

Footnotes:

  • Psalm 26:2 test me
  • Psalm 26:8 Lit. of the tabernacle of Your glory
  • Psalm 26:9 Do not take away
  • Psalm 27:2 devour
  • Psalm 27:4 delightfulness
  • Psalm 27:6 Lifted up in honor
  • Psalm 27:6 joyous shouts
  • Psalm 27:14 Wait in faith
  • Psalm 28:3 drag
  • Psalm 28:8 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Syr., Vg. the strength of His people
  • Psalm 28:8 Commissioned one, Heb. messiah

Acts 22

Paul’s Defense at Jerusalem

22 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.

Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light [a]and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting [b]to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Paul’s Roman Citizenship

22 And they listened to him until this word, and thenthey raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellowfrom the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and [c]tore off theirclothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that,he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

The Sanhedrin Divided

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from hisbonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Footnotes:

  • Acts 22:9 NU omits and were afraid
  • Acts 22:20 NU omits to his death
  • Acts 22:23 Lit. threw

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Praise Report: Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, had eye surgery and is full of giggles and smiles. As they will not know the results from the surgery for some time, please continue to Pray for Logan. 

Please Pray for Lidia’s husband, Carlos, who needs heart surgery, but has been in the hospital for over a week now with pneumonia. 

Please Pray for Brother Walt’s son, Elijah, Emilia, Elijah’s girl friend, and their new baby. Pray that Walt be reunited with his son and family. 

Please Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s friend and Sister in the Lord, Rachael, who has received her counceling degree  and is looking for a job. Pray she uses the Bible as her only counceling Guide to lead her clients to the Lord. 

Please Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Praise Report: Brother Tom Rolfstad who had a surgical aortic heart valve replacement last week is recovering and doing amazingly well. Tom wants all to know he is thankful for your Prayers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

+++

Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/17 – The Need to be Glorified

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His Provision  – Philippians 4:19 (ESV)  “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

“The phrase “fear not” appears approximately seventy-five times in the Old Testament, always in reference to temporal circumstances.  God’s people are taught to fear Him and only Him.  “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Psalm 34:11    Fear is not just an emotion that paralyses. Rather it has the element of understanding and reason that is the product of understanding the character of God.  Man is never told to “fear not” God.”  Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”)

——://///

+++

A history of these Daily Devotions can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

+++

———/://///

The Need to be Glorified

Day One Hundred Ninety-eight

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee.”‘ John 17:1

During the years of His ministry our Lord anticipated His coming hour.  He knew He faced a time of supreme testing.  It had now come. He prayed in the Garden knowing that He stood under the shadow of the cross.  He said that His ability to glorify the Father was dependent upon the Father glorifying the Son.

When my wife and I watched our child die, I knew that the only hope I had of giving glory to the Father lay in His willingness to glorify me with His presence, giving me the ability to glorify Him. I had no natural power to respond biblically reflecting His glory as we passed through “the valley of the shadow of death.” 269  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”270

When you pass through the fire of adversity, and Scripture assures you that you will,271  call upon the Father to do for you what He did for His Son.  Do not try to glorify God in your own strength.  Acknowledge as did Jesus, that without His presence you will be unable to respond properly to your time of testing.

269  Psalm 23:4

270  II Corinthians 12:9

271  cf. Isaiah 43:2, e.g.

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Psalm 18-19 Acts 20:17-38 (New King James Version)

Psalm 18-19

God the Sovereign Savior

To the Chief Musician. A Psalmof David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

18 

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

2 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthyto be praised;

So shall I be saved from my enemies.

4 

The pangs of death surrounded me,

And the floods of [c]ungodliness made me afraid.

5 

The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;

The snares of death confronted me.

6 

In my distress I called upon the Lord,

And cried out to my God;

He heard my voice from His temple,

And my cry came before Him, evento His ears.

7 

Then the earth shook and trembled;

The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,

Because He was angry.

8 

Smoke went up from His nostrils,

And devouring fire from His mouth;

Coals were kindled by it.

9 

He bowed the heavens also, and came down

With darkness under His feet.

10 

And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;

He flew upon the wings of the wind.

11 

He made darkness His secret place;

His canopy around Him wasdark waters

Andthick clouds of the skies.

12 

From the brightness before Him,

His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

13 

The Lord thundered from heaven,

And the Most High uttered His voice,

[d]Hailstones and coals of fire.

14 

He sent out His arrows and scattered [e]the foe,

Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.

15 

Then the channels of the sea were seen,

The foundations of the world were uncovered

At Your rebuke, O Lord,

At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16 

He sent from above, He took me;

He drew me out of many waters.

17 

He delivered me from my strong enemy,

From those who hated me,

For they were too strong for me.

18 

They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

But the Lord was my support.

19 

He also brought me out into a broad place;

He delivered me because He delighted in me.

20 

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;

According to the cleanness of my hands

He has recompensed me.

21 

For I have kept the ways of the Lord,

And have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 

For all His judgments werebefore me,

And I did not put away His statutes from me.

23 

I was also blameless [f]before Him,

And I kept myself from my iniquity.

24 

Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,

According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

25 

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;

With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

26 

With the pure You will show Yourself pure;

And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

27 

For You will save the humble people,

But will bring down haughty looks.

28 

For You will light my lamp;

The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

29 

For by You I can [g]run against a troop,

By my God I can leap over a wall.

30 

As forGod, His way isperfect;

The word of the Lord is [h]proven;

He isa shield to all who trust in Him.

31 

For who isGod, except the Lord?

And who isa rock, except our God?

32 

It isGod who arms me with strength,

And makes my way perfect.

33 

He makes my feet like the feet ofdeer,

And sets me on my high places.

34 

He teaches my hands to make war,

So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your right hand has held me up,

Your gentleness has made me great.

36 

You enlarged my path under me,

So my feet did not slip.

37 

I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;

Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.

38 

I have wounded them,

So that they could not rise;

They have fallen under my feet.

39 

For You have armed me with strength for the battle;

You have [i]subdued under me those who rose up against me.

40 

You have also given me the necks of my enemies,

So that I destroyed those who hated me.

41 

They cried out, but there wasnone to save;

Evento the Lord, but He did not answer them.

42 

Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;

I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

43 

You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;

You have made me the head of the [j]nations;

A people I have not known shall serve me.

44 

As soon as they hear of me they obey me;

The foreigners [k]submit to me.

45 

The foreigners fade away,

And come frightened from their hideouts.

46 

The Lord lives!

Blessed bemy Rock!

Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47 

It isGod who avenges me,

And subdues the peoples under me;

48 

He delivers me from my enemies.

You also lift me up above those who rise against me;

You have delivered me from the violent man.

49 

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the [l]Gentiles,

And sing praises to Your name.

50 

Great deliverance He gives to His king,

And shows mercy to His anointed,

To David and his [m]descendants forevermore.

The Perfect Revelation of the Lord

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament[n] shows [o]His handiwork.

2 

Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 

There isno speech nor language

Wheretheir voice is not heard.

4 

Their [p]line has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a [q]tabernacle for the sun,

5 

Which islike a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

Andrejoices like a strong man to run its race.

6 

Its rising isfrom one end of heaven,

And its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 

The law of the Lord isperfect, [r]converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord issure, making wise the simple;

8 

The statutes of the Lord areright, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord ispure, enlightening the eyes;

9 

The fear of the Lord isclean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord aretrue andrighteous altogether.

10 

More to be desired are theythan gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the [s]honeycomb.

11 

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

Andin keeping them there isgreat reward.

12 

Who can understand hiserrors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.

13 

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

And I shall be innocent of [t]great transgression.

14 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my [u]strength and my Redeemer.

Footnotes:

  • Psalm 18:2 Lit. rock
  • Psalm 18:2 Strength
  • Psalm 18:4 Lit. Belial
  • Psalm 18:13 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; a few Heb. mss., LXX omit Hailstones and coals of fire
  • Psalm 18:14 Lit. them
  • Psalm 18:23 with
  • Psalm 18:29 Or run through
  • Psalm 18:30 Lit. refined
  • Psalm 18:39 Lit. caused to bow
  • Psalm 18:43 Gentiles
  • Psalm 18:44 feign submission
  • Psalm 18:49 nations
  • Psalm 18:50 Lit. seed
  • Psalm 19:1 expanseof heaven
  • Psalm 19:1 the work of His hands
  • Psalm 19:4 LXX, Syr., Vg. sound;Tg. business
  • Psalm 19:4 tent
  • Psalm 19:7 restoring
  • Psalm 19:10 honey in the combs
  • Psalm 19:13 Or much
  • Psalm 19:14 Lit. rock

Acts 20:17-38

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 [a]But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my [b]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I aminnocent[c] of the blood of all men.27 For I have not [d]shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [e]of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [f]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 [g]Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept [h]freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Footnotes:

  • Acts 20:24 NU But I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself
  • Acts 20:24 course
  • Acts 20:26 Lit. clean
  • Acts 20:27 avoided declaring
  • Acts 20:28 M of the Lord and God
  • Acts 20:30 misleading
  • Acts 20:34 NU, M omit Yes
  • Acts 20:37 Lit. much

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Praise Report: Brother Rick Pavlat says his wife. Ollie, is doing excellent with her recovery from the stroke. God has Blessed them with both her recovery and covering the hospital bills.  PTL!

Please Pray for Lidia’s husband, Carlos, who needs heart surgery, but has been in the hospital for over a week now with pneumonia. 

Please Pray for Brother Walt’s son, Elijah, Emilia, Elijah’s girl friend, and their new baby. Pray that Walt be reunited with his son and family. 

Please Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s friend and Sister in the Lord, Rachael, who has received her counceling degree  and is looking for a job. Pray she uses the Bible as her only counceling Guide to lead her clients to the Lord. 

Please Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior. 

Praise Report: Brother Jason Kuckler’s father, Dan Kuckler, in MN, is recovering and doing excellent after a 5-bypass heart surgery. Jason’s mother, Nancy, along with Jason and his family are thankful for all your Prayers. 

Praise Report: Brother Tom Rolfstad who had a surgical aortic heart valve replacement last week is recovering and doing amazingly well. Tom wants all to know he is thankful for your Prayers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue to Pray for Sister Sonia’s x-husband, Raymond, he has prostrate cancer. His prognosis seems positive, but please Pray for him. 

Praise Report: Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, had eye surgery and is full of giggles and smiles. As they will not know the results from the surgery for some time, please continue to Pray for Logan. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

+++

Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/8 – A Lesson on Miracles

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His Spirit  – 1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)  “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:16

“Jesus says, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)   In other words, fear God rather than your temporal wellbeing.   If you say that you have no fear of God, you are doomed to live in fear of your circumstances.   Fear in this life can only be eliminated by fearing God.”    Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”)   

——://///

+++

A history of these Daily Devotions can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

+++

———/://///

A Lesson on Miracles

Day One Hundred Eighty-nine

“Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it, and said, Thus  says the Lord, I have made this water wholesome; henceforth neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.”‘  II Kings 2:21

The spring watering the city of Jericho was unfit for drinking.  The prophet cured the spring by pouring salt into it.  Not only was the water now drinkable, they no longer had a problem; the salt not only cured the water, but the spring itself. From this we can draw two related conclusions:

First, a miracle is an event contrary to our understanding of how things work. Salt naturally destroys the usability of water; it does not restore it.  Not only did the salt heal the waters, one application gave the spring a permanent cure. Second, a miracle assumes an ordered universe where things don’t happen by chance.  We assume that inviolable laws govern the universe, and thus the breaking of a law is a miracle.  This in turn assumes the existence of a transcendent God who established the laws by which the universe functions.

Contrary to most people’s assumption, those skeptical of miracles logically believe in the existence of God.  If you deny God’s existence, you deny the existence of the laws governing the universe.  All you have left are degrees of probability.  In such a universe what you normally call miracles would be common occurrences. You would expect people to occasionally walk on water and raise the dead.  Within a world of limitless possibilities, salt would normally corrupt water, but could, in different circumstances, have the opposite effect.  If you are a skeptic, logically you accept that what the Bible calls miracles could and probably did happen, for everything exists and operates by chance.

———/://///

Job 36-37 Acts 15:22-41 (New King James Version)

Job 36-37

Elihu Proclaims God’s Goodness

36 Elihu also proceeded and said:

2 

“Bear with me a little, and I will show you

That there areyet words to speak on God’s behalf.

3 

I will fetch my knowledge from afar;

I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4 

For truly my words arenot false;

One who is perfect in knowledge iswith you.

5 

“Behold, God ismighty, but despises no one;

He ismighty in strength [a]of understanding.

6 

He does not preserve the life of the wicked,

But gives justice to the oppressed.

7 

He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;

But they areon the throne with kings,

For He has seated them forever,

And they are exalted.

8 

And if they arebound in [b]fetters,

Held in the cords of affliction,

9 

Then He tells them their work and their transgressions—

That they have acted [c]defiantly.

10 

He also opens their ear to [d]instruction,

And commands that they turn from iniquity.

11 

If they obey and serve Him,

They shall spend their days in prosperity,

And their years in pleasures.

12 

But if they do not obey,

They shall perish by the sword,

And they shall die [e]without knowledge.

13 

“But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath;

They do not cry for help when He binds them.

14 

They[f] die in youth,

And their life endsamong the [g]perverted persons.

15 

He delivers the poor in their affliction,

And opens their ears in oppression.

16 

“Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress,

Intoa broad place where there isno restraint;

And what is set on your table would befull of richness.

17 

But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked;

Judgment and justice take hold of you.

18 

Because there iswrath, bewarelest He take you away with oneblow;

For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.

19 

Will your riches,

Or all the mighty forces,

Keep you from distress?

20 

Do not desire the night,

When people are cut off in their place.

21 

Take heed, do not turn to iniquity,

For you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 

“Behold, God is exalted by His power;

Who teaches like Him?

23 

Who has assigned Him His way,

Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty

24 

“Remember to magnify His work,

Of which men have sung.

25 

Everyone has seen it;

Man looks on itfrom afar.

26 

“Behold, God isgreat, and we do not know Him;

Nor can the number of His years bediscovered.

27 

For He draws up drops of water,

Which distill as rain from the mist,

28 

Which the clouds drop down

Andpour abundantly on man.

29 

Indeed, can anyoneunderstand the spreading of clouds,

The thunder from His canopy?

30 

Look, He scatters His light upon it,

And covers the depths of the sea.

31 

For by these He judges the peoples;

He gives food in abundance.

32 

He covers Hishands with lightning,

And commands it to [h]strike.

33 

His thunder declares it,

The cattle also, concerning [i]the rising storm.

God’s Works and Wisdom

37 

“At this also my heart trembles,

And leaps from its place.

2 

Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,

And the rumbling thatcomes from His mouth.

3 

He sends it forth under the whole heaven,

His [j]lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 

After it a voice roars;

He thunders with His majestic voice,

And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.

5 

God thunders marvelously with His voice;

He does great things which we cannot comprehend.

6 

For He says to the snow, ‘Fall onthe earth’;

Likewise to the [k]gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.

7 

He seals the hand of every man,

That all men may know His work.

8 

The beasts go into dens,

And remain in their lairs.

9 

From the chamber of the southcomes the whirlwind,

And cold from the scattering winds of the north.

10 

By the breath of God ice is given,

And the broad waters are frozen.

11 

Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;

He scatters His [l]bright clouds.

12 

And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,

That they may do whatever He commands them

On the face of [m]the whole earth.

13 

He causes it to come,

Whether for [n]correction,

Or for His land,

Or for mercy.

14 

“Listen to this, O Job;

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 

Do you know when God [o]dispatches them,

And causes the light of His cloud to shine?

16 

Do you know how the clouds are balanced,

Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 

Why areyour garments hot,

When He quiets the earth by the south wind?

18 

With Him, have you spread out the skies,

Strong as a cast metal mirror?

19 

“Teach us what we should say to Him,

Forwe can prepare nothing because of the darkness.

20 

Should He be told that I wish tospeak?

If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.

21 

Even now mencannot look at the light when it isbright in the skies,

When the wind has passed and cleared them.

22 

He comes from the north asgolden splendor;

With God isawesome majesty.

23 

As forthe Almighty, we cannot find Him;

He isexcellent in power,

Injudgment and abundant justice;

He does not oppress.

24 

Therefore men fear Him;

He shows no partiality to any who arewise of heart.”

Footnotes:

  • Job 36:5 of heart
  • Job 36:8 chains
  • Job 36:9 proudly
  • Job 36:10 discipline
  • Job 36:12 MT as one without knowledge
  • Job 36:14 Lit. Their soul dies
  • Job 36:14 Heb. qedeshim,those practicing sodomy or prostitution in religious rituals
  • Job 36:32 strike the mark
  • Job 36:33 Lit. what is rising
  • Job 37:3 Or light
  • Job 37:6 Lit. shower of rain
  • Job 37:11 clouds of light
  • Job 37:12 Lit. the world of the earth
  • Job 37:13 Lit. a rod
  • Job 37:15 places them

Acts 15:22-41

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely,Judas who was also named Barsabas,[a] and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letterby them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, [b]saying, “You mustbe circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no suchcommandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one [c]accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual[d] immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed therefor a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to [e]the apostles.

34 [f]However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division over John Mark

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and seehow they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas [g]was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being [h]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes:

  • Acts 15:22 NU, M Barsabbas
  • Acts 15:24 NU omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”
  • Acts 15:25 purposeor mind
  • Acts 15:29 Or fornication
  • Acts 15:33 NU those who had sent them
  • Acts 15:34 NU, M omit v. 34.
  • Acts 15:37 resolved
  • Acts 15:40 committed

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Tom Rolfstad who is having a surgical aortic heart valve replacement on July 8th. Pray that Tom and those who surround him would be drawn closer to the Lord. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue to Pray for Sister Sonia’s x-husband, Raymond, he has prostrate cancer. His prognosis seems positive, but please Pray for him. 

Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, is scheduled for eye surgery 7/15/2019. Please continue to Pray for Logan and his surgeon. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Brother Rick Pavlat wife, Ollie, recently had a stroke. She is doing better but her left side has been affected. She is going to need rehabilitation and we would greatly appreciate Prayer. Additionally, as Rick and Ollie are semi-retired missionaries, they have no insurance and request your Prayers for cover the cost of care resulting from the stroke. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

+++

Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 7/7 – A Time to Disobey

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Assurance of Salvation  – John 5:24 (ESV)  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”   John 5:24

“Heaven is not a reward, it is a gift.” Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”)  

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+++

A history of these Daily Devotions can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This daily devotion contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (#1 above),  Daily Quote (#2 above): and, below: Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

+++

———/://///

A Time to Disobey

Day One Hundred Eighty-eight

“And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel.”  II Kings 2:2

It was time for God to take Elijah and his servant Elisha somehow knew that it was imminent.  Three times Elijah told Elisha to remain behind while he went on, and three times Elisha disobeyed him.  This narrative affords two important lessons:

First, when working with others in the cause of Christ, you must be able to distinguish between when God is testing you vis-a-vis leading you in a different direction.  God tested Elisha by offering him opportunity to stay behind.  Elisha, understanding that it was not the leadership of God, but a test, refused to comply.  Because he refused, insisting on staying with Elijah, he received the blessing.  Ruth refused to obey the entreaty of Naomi to return to Moab, and as a result received the blessing of being in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.261

Second, note that Elisha did not ask for supernatural gifts or sensational power. He didn’t request the recognition of men, but instead coveted the God of Elijah. When asked what he wanted, Elisha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”262

These two lessons are related.  You can see the heart of Elisha by the request he made.  The Psalmist prayed, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee.”263   When you covet God you delight His heart.  Such an attitude helps when you must distinguish between God leading in a different direction and a test.

261  cf. Ruth 1:6-19

262  II Kings 2:9

263  Psalm 73:25

———/://///

Job 34-35 Acts 15:1-21 (New King James Version)

Job 34-35

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice

34 Elihu further answered and said:

2 

“Hear my words, you wise men;

Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 

For the ear tests words

As the palate tastes food.

4 

Let us choose justice for ourselves;

Let us know among ourselves what isgood.

5 

“For Job has said, ‘I am righteous,

But God has taken away my justice;

6 

Should I lie concerning my right?

My [a]wound isincurable, though I amwithout transgression.’

7 

What man islike Job,

Whodrinks [b]scorn like water,

8 

Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,

And walks with wicked men?

9 

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing

That he should delight in God.’

10 

“Therefore listen to me, you [c]men of understanding:

Far be it from God to dowickedness,

And fromthe Almighty to commitiniquity.

11 

For He repays man according tohis work,

And makes man to find a reward according to hisway.

12 

Surely God will never do wickedly,

Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 

Who gave Him charge over the earth?

Or who appointed Him overthe whole world?

14 

If He should set His heart on it,

IfHe should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,

15 

All flesh would perish together,

And man would return to dust.

16 

“If you haveunderstanding, hear this;

Listen to the sound of my words:

17 

Should one who hates justice govern?

Will you condemn Him who ismost just?

18 

Is it fittingto say to a king, ‘You areworthless,’

Andto nobles, ‘You arewicked’?

19 

Yet He is not partial to princes,

Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;

For they areall the work of His hands.

20 

In a moment they die, in the middle of the night;

The people are shaken and pass away;

The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21 

“For His eyes areon the ways of man,

And He sees all his steps.

22 

There is no darkness nor shadow of death

Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 

For He need not further consider a man,

That he should go before God in judgment.

24 

He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry,

And sets others in their place.

25 

Therefore He knows their works;

He overthrows themin the night,

And they are crushed.

26 

He strikes them as wicked men

In the open sight of others,

27 

Because they turned back from Him,

And would not consider any of His ways,

28 

So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him;

For He hears the cry of the afflicted.

29 

When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble?

And when He hides Hisface, who then can see Him,

Whether it isagainst a nation or a man alone?—

30 

That the hypocrite should not reign,

Lest the people be ensnared.

31 

“For has anyonesaid to God,

‘I have borne chastening;

I will offend no more;

32 

Teach me whatI do not see;

If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’?

33 

Should He repay itaccording to your terms,

Justbecause you disavow it?

You must choose, and not I;

Therefore speak what you know.

34 

“Men of understanding say to me,

Wise men who listen to me:

35 

‘Job speaks without knowledge,

His words arewithout wisdom.’

36 

Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost,

Because hisanswers are likethose of wicked men!

37 

For he adds rebellion to his sin;

He claps his handsamong us,

And multiplies his words against God.”

Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

35 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

2 

“Do you think this is right?

Do you say,

‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?

3 

For you say,

‘What advantage will it be to You?

What profit shall I have, more than ifI had sinned?’

4 

“I will answer you,

And your companions with you.

5 

Look to the heavens and see;

And behold the clouds—

They are higher than you.

6 

If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?

Or, ifyour transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?

7 

If you are righteous, what do you give Him?

Or what does He receive from your hand?

8 

Your wickedness affects a man such as you,

And your righteousness a son of man.

9 

“Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;

They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty.

10 

But no one says, ‘Where isGod my Maker,

Who gives songs in the night,

11 

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth,

And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

12 

There they cry out, but He does not answer,

Because of the pride of evil men.

13 

Surely God will not listen to empty talk,

Nor will the Almighty regard it.

14 

Although you say you do not see Him,

Yetjustice isbefore Him, and you must wait for Him.

15 

And now, because He has not punished in His anger,

Nor taken much notice of folly,

16 

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain;

He multiplies words without knowledge.”

Footnotes:

  • Job 34:6 Lit. arrow
  • Job 34:7 derision
  • Job 34:10 men of heart

Acts 15:1-21

Conflict over Circumcision

15 And certain mencame down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command themto keep the law of Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up andsaid to them: “Men andbrethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, [a]acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He didto us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus [b]Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had [c]become silent, James answered, saying, “Men andbrethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 

‘After this I will return

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;

I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will set it up;

17 

So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,

Says the [d]Lord who does all these things.’

18 [e]“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from[f]sexual immorality, fromthings strangled, and fromblood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Footnotes:

  • Acts 15:8 bore witness to
  • Acts 15:11 NU, M omit Christ
  • Acts 15:13 stopped speaking
  • Acts 15:17 NU Lord, who makes these things
  • Acts 15:18 NU (continuing v. 17) known from eternity (of old).’
  • Acts 15:20 Or fornication

———/://///

PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Tom Rolfstad who is having a surgical aortic heart valve replacement on July 8th. Pray that Tom and those who surround him would be drawn closer to the Lord. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark P, a missionary in the Philippines. He said they have an issue with a senior leader who was living another life unknown to them, in deep sin. This leader was second under Mark over the entire ministry.  Mark asks for Prayer, specifically, in 2 areas:

  1 – That Marks keeps his own heart and hands Holy; and 

  2 – … that this individual needs to Repent. 

I would like to add to Mark’s Prayer Request… we need to Pray

for Mark, Mark’s wife, this individual and for all that are touched by him. … And Note: We can only look to One Perfect Example in our lives… Jesus. (People will let us down, but He will never let us down.) And, from God’s Word, we read and need to mediate on:

  Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

  Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

  James 4:11-12 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   …

  Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Colossians 3:12-14 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;   …

  James 1:19-20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   …

  Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

  Romans 2:1-4 – Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.   …

  Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  Romans 2:6-8 – Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

  Mark 11:25 – And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters and stayed single all this time. Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning the reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months.  Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm. 

Please continue to Pray for Sister Sonia’s x-husband, Raymond, he has prostrate cancer. His prognosis seems positive, but please Pray for him. 

Sister Diane’s grandson, Logan, is scheduled for eye surgery 7/15/2019. Please continue to Pray for Logan and his surgeon. 

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation.  Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will. 

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol.  One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged.  Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation. 

Brother Rick Pavlat wife, Ollie, recently had a stroke. She is doing better but her left side has been affected. She is going to need rehabilitation and we would greatly appreciate Prayer. Additionally, as Rick and Ollie are semi-retired missionaries, they have no insurance and request your Prayers for cover the cost of care resulting from the stroke. 

Please  continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan.  He recently preached the Gospel in his Taiwan company inviting his employees to accept salvation. He says that half of his Taiwan staff are now Christians. Please Pray Frank will continue to be bold in his sharing Christ in all his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

+++

Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)

Day 5/19 – An Inner Beauty

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Humility  – 1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV)  “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”  1 Peter 5:5-6 

“We have to determine our theology from the Word of God, not from what we feel.”  R C Sproul

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A history of these Daily Devotions can be found at: lylebrennan.com. 

This email contains, sequentially: Memory Verse (above), Daily Devotion from “Thoughts From The Diary of A Desperate Man” by Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt”), Scripture Reading  (read the entire Bible in 1 year), and Prayer Requests. 

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An Inner Beauty

Day One Hundred Thirty-nine

“And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.” Genesis 29:17

Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel.  Leah, the older of the two, lacked the natural beauty that attracts the attention of men.  In some way her eyes detracted from her looks.  Jacob worked seven years for the hand of Rachel, but on their wedding night Laban switched sisters, resulting in the union of Jacob and Leah.  Jacob then worked seven more years for the hand of Rachel.

“And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”215   Of the twelve sons of Jacob (the twelve tribes of Israel) Leah had six and Rachel had two.  Among the six sons of Leah were Judah, representing the kingly tribe from which David and Jesus Christ came, and Levi, the priestly tribe from which Moses and Aaron came.  Rachel worshipped stolen idols and lied when asked if she had them.  She died in childbearing and was buried on the side of the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  Leah was buried with her husband and the other patriarchs.

The outer beauty can easily captivate you, causing you to miss the inner beauty that delights the heart of God.  The former fades and becomes grotesque while the latter increases in radiance.  Thus the Holy Spirit says, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”216

215 Genesis 29:31

216 Proverbs 31:30

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1 Chronicles 7-9 John 6:22-44 (New King James Version)

1 Chronicles 7-9

The Family of Issachar

7 The sons of Issachar wereTola, [a]Puah, [b]Jashub, and Shimron—four in all.2 The sons of Tola wereUzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sonsof Tola weremighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David wastwenty-two thousand six hundred. 3 The son of Uzzi wasIzrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah wereMichael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them werechief men. 4 And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, werethirty-six thousand troops ready for war; for they had many wives and sons.

5 Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar weremighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.

The Family of Benjamin

6 The sonsof Benjamin wereBela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all.7 The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all.They wereheads of theirfathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.

8 The sons of Becher wereZemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these arethe sons of Becher. 9 And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor. 10 The son of Jediael wasBilhan, and the sons of Bilhan wereJeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

11 All these sons of Jediael wereheads of their fathers’ houses; there wereseventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war andbattle. 12 [c]Shuppim and [d]Huppim werethe sons of [e]Ir, andHushim wasthe son of [f]Aher.

The Family of Naphtali

13 The sons of Naphtali were[g]Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and [h]Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

The Family of Manasseh (West)

14 The descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel. 15 Machir took as his wife the sisterof [i]Huppim and [j]Shuppim, whose name wasMaachah. The name of Gilead’s[k]grandson wasZelophehad, but Zelophehad begot only daughters. 16 (Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother wasSheresh, and his sons wereUlam and Rakem. 17 The son of Ulam wasBedan.) These werethe descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

18 His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, [l]Abiezer, and Mahlah.

19 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

The Family of Ephraim

20 The sons of Ephraim wereShuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son, 21 Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in thatland killed thembecause they came down to take away their cattle. 22 Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name [m]Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house. 24 Now his daughter wasSheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah; 25 and Rephah washis son, as wellas Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 [n]Nun his son, and Joshua his son.

28 Now their possessions and dwelling places wereBethel and its towns: to the east [o]Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as [p]Ayyah and its towns; 29 and by the borders of the children of Manasseh wereBeth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.

The Family of Asher

30 The sons of Asher wereImnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. 31 The sons of Beriah wereHeber and Malchiel, who was the father of [q]Birzaith. 32 And Heber begot Japhlet, [r]Shomer, [s]Hotham, and their sister Shua. 33 The sons of Japhlet werePasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These werethe children of Japhlet. 34 The sons of Shemer wereAhi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. 35 And the sons of his brother Helem wereZophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah wereSuah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, [t]Jithran, and Beera. 38 The sons of Jether wereJephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. 39 The sons of Ulla wereArah, Haniel, and Rizia.

40 All these werethe children of Asher, heads of theirfathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number wastwenty-six thousand.

The Family Tree of King Saul of Benjamin

8 Now Benjamin begot Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, [u]Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 The sons of Bela were[v]Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, [w]Shephuphan, and Huram.

6 These arethe sons of Ehud, who were the heads of the fathers’ housesof the inhabitants of Geba, and who forced them to move to Manahath: 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera who forced them to move. He begot Uzza and Ahihud.

8 Also Shaharaim had children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives. 9 By Hodesh his wife he begot Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Jeuz, Sachiah, and Mirmah. These werehis sons, heads of their fathers’ houses.

11 And by Hushim he begot Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal wereEber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns; 13 and Beriah and Shema, who wereheads of their fathers’ housesof the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. 14 Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ispah, and Joha werethe sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai, Jizliah, and Jobab werethe sons of Elpaal. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath werethe sons of [x]Shimei. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Antothijah, 25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel werethe sons of Shashak. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri werethe sons of Jeroham.

28 These wereheads of the fathers’ housesby their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

29 Now [y]the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name wasMaacah, dwelt at Gibeon. 30 And his firstborn son wasAbdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, [z]Zecher, 32 and Mikloth, whobegot [aa]Shimeah. They also dwelt [ab]alongside their [ac]relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 33 Ner[ad] begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, [ae]Abinadab, and [af]Esh-Baal. 34 The son of Jonathan was[ag]Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 35 The sons of Micah werePithon, Melech, [ah]Tarea, and Ahaz. 36 And Ahaz begot [ai]Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza. 37 Moza begot Binea, [aj]Raphah his son, Eleasah his son, andAzel his son.

38 Azel had six sons whose names werethese: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these werethe sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother wereUlam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor—archers. Theyhad many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all.These wereall sons of Benjamin.

Priests and Levites in Jerusalem

9 So all Israel was [ak]recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they wereinscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 And the first inhabitants who dweltin their possessions in their cities wereIsraelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim.

Dwellers in Jerusalem

3 Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. 5 Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. 6 Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety. 7 Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah; 8 Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men wereheads of a father’s housein their fathers’ houses.

The Priests at Jerusalem

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; 11 [al]Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God; 12 Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were[am]very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

The Levites at Jerusalem

14 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

The Levite Gatekeepers

17 And the gatekeepers wereShallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum wasthe chief. 18 Until then they had beengatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east.

19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, werein charge of the work of the service, [an]gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the Lord. 20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the Lord waswith him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was[ao]keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

22 All those chosen as gatekeepers weretwo hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office. 23 So they and their children werein charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment. 24 The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren in their villages hadto come with them from time to time for seven days. 26 For in this trusted office werefour chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged allaround the house of God because [ap]they hadthe responsibility, and they werein charge of opening itevery morning.

Other Levite Responsibilities

28 Now someof them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count. 29 Someof them wereappointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices. 30 And someof the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

31 Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans. 32 And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites werein charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath.

33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ housesof the Levites, who lodgedin the chambers, and werefree from other duties;for they were employed in thatwork day and night. 34 These heads of the fathers’ housesof the Levites wereheads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem.

The Family of King Saul

35 Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name wasMaacah, dwelt at Gibeon. 36 His firstborn son wasAbdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, [aq]Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begot [ar]Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 39 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. 40 The son of Jonathan wasMerib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 41 The sons of Micah werePithon, Melech, [as]Tahrea, and[at] Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begot [au]Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza; 43 Moza begot Binea, [av]Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

44 And Azel had six sons whose names werethese: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these werethe sons of Azel.

Footnotes:

  • 1 Chronicles 7:1 Puvah,Gen. 46:13
  • 1 Chronicles 7:1 Job,Gen. 46:13
  • 1 Chronicles 7:12 Shupham,Num. 26:39
  • 1 Chronicles 7:12 Hupham,Num. 26:39
  • 1 Chronicles 7:12 Iri,v. 7
  • 1 Chronicles 7:12 Ahiram,Num. 26:38
  • 1 Chronicles 7:13 Jahzeel,Gen. 46:24
  • 1 Chronicles 7:13 Shillem,Gen. 46:24
  • 1 Chronicles 7:15 Hupham,v. 12; Num. 26:39
  • 1 Chronicles 7:15 Shupham,v. 12; Num. 26:39
  • 1 Chronicles 7:15 Lit. the second
  • 1 Chronicles 7:18 Jeezer,Num. 26:30
  • 1 Chronicles 7:23 Lit. In Tragedy
  • 1 Chronicles 7:27 Heb. Non
  • 1 Chronicles 7:28 Naarath,Josh. 16:7
  • 1 Chronicles 7:28 Many Heb. mss., Bg., LXX, Tg., Vg. Gazza
  • 1 Chronicles 7:31 Or Birzavithor Birzoth
  • 1 Chronicles 7:32 Shemer,1 Chr. 7:34
  • 1 Chronicles 7:32 Helem,1 Chr. 7:35
  • 1 Chronicles 7:37 Jether,v. 38
  • 1 Chronicles 8:1 Ahiram,Num. 26:38
  • 1 Chronicles 8:3 Ard,Num. 26:40
  • 1 Chronicles 8:5 Shupham,Num. 26:39, or Shuppim,1 Chr. 7:12
  • 1 Chronicles 8:21 Shema,1 Chr. 7:13
  • 1 Chronicles 8:29 Jeiel,1 Chr. 9:35
  • 1 Chronicles 8:31 Zechariah,1 Chr. 9:37
  • 1 Chronicles 8:32 Shimeam,1 Chr. 9:38
  • 1 Chronicles 8:32 Lit. opposite
  • 1 Chronicles 8:32 brethren
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 Also the son of Gibeon, 1 Chr. 9:36, 39
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 Jishui,1 Sam. 14:49
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 Ishbosheth,2 Sam. 2:8
  • 1 Chronicles 8:34 Mephibosheth,2 Sam. 4:4
  • 1 Chronicles 8:35 Tahrea,1 Chr. 9:41
  • 1 Chronicles 8:36 Jarah,1 Chr. 9:42
  • 1 Chronicles 8:37 Raphaiah,1 Chr. 9:43
  • 1 Chronicles 9:1 enrolled
  • 1 Chronicles 9:11 Seraiah,Neh. 11:11
  • 1 Chronicles 9:13 Lit. mighty men of strength
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 Lit. thresholds
  • 1 Chronicles 9:21 gatekeeper
  • 1 Chronicles 9:27 the watch was committed to them
  • 1 Chronicles 9:37 Zecher,1 Chr. 8:31
  • 1 Chronicles 9:38 Shimeah,1 Chr. 8:32
  • 1 Chronicles 9:41 Tarea,1 Chr. 8:35
  • 1 Chronicles 9:41 So with Arab., Syr., Tg., Vg. (cf. 8:35); MT, LXX omit and Ahaz
  • 1 Chronicles 9:42 Jehoaddah,1 Chr. 8:36
  • 1 Chronicles 9:43 Raphah,1 Chr. 8:37

John 6:22-44

The Bread from Heaven

22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except [a]that one [b]which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— 23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— 24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will [c]by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Rejected by His Own

41 The Jews then [d]complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, [e]“Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Footnotes:

  • John 6:22 NU omits that
  • John 6:22 NU omits which His disciples had entered
  • John 6:37 certainly not
  • John 6:41 grumbled
  • John 6:43 Stop grumbling

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PRAYER REQUESTS 

Please continue to Pray for Brother K and his family. The enemy is working overtime on this Brother and his family.  He and his wife have children from two different marriages including their own. The children are manipulating each other and the parents; and, trying to put a wedge between the Brother and his wife. 

Please Pray for Sister Anna who is now home in El Salvador taking care of her mother.  

Please Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Resources ministry in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and save babies. 

Please continue to Pray for Simon, Sister Sonia’s friend, he needs heart and kidney transplant; and, above all needs to receive Jesus.  

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by  Isis – Pray for their protection and their ministry.  For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China. 

Please continue to Pray for Sister Diana who is witnessing to young persons with confused doctrine.  Pray God would speak through her and provide His Holy Clarity directly these young people. 

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sin that is drowning us. Abortion, sex outside of marriage, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, only to name a few.  Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.   

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!  

Please continue to Pray for the healing of baby Caden (Kevin Odor’s grandson) – born with Agenesis of the corpus callosum (rare neurological birth defect). 

Please continue to Pray for Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico. And, please continue to Pray for her church caught up in the tragedies surrounding the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children.

Please continue to Pray for the Salvation of Hagen who is HIV positive and is deathly ill. 

We continue to ask for Prayers and Gods Grace and Mercy for Baby Grace and her parents, Lisa and Darren. 

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr., and his aunt Josefina. 

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS. 

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.  10 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN FAMILY.. Pray our brothers and sisters will:

1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5) 

2. Know we are praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3) 

3. Experience God’s comfort (2 Thess. 2:16–17) 

4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3) 

5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29) 

6. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29) 

7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25) 

8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41) 

9. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44) 

10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

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Stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue Pray for our President & government leaders that they will would seek God and Walk in His Ways.    

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children. 

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD.  Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Please continue to Pray for the Sharon India Foundation (“SIF”) to assisting the poor of India.  Through SIF: Widows have received medical treatment and been given quality sewing machines and training on how to use them to make a living. Orphans have been given free education in their neighborhood slum areas.  After natural disasters relief has been provided in the nature of medical, food items, blankets, clothing and building materials.  Bore wells have been successfully dug to provide fresh water to affected areas.  Water purification systems have also been given out on a limited basis. Special shoes have been purchased for lepers with ulcerated feet.  Thousands of books have been translated to assist in the ever growing discipleship outreach of E-Squared (Evangelism and Edification/Disciples).  Sharon India Foundation has no administrative costs and 100% of all donations go directly to the Indian pastors and their ministries. (Let’s reach India and beyond for Christ…see how you can help: https://sharonindia.org.)