Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Titus 3 (New International Version, ©2010)



Titus 3

Saved in Order to Do Good

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
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1 Chronicles 20 (New International Version)



1 Chronicles 20

The Capture of Rabbah

1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. 2 David took the crown from the head of their king [a] —its weight was found to be a talent [b] of gold, and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David's head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city 3 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.
War With the Philistines

4 In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated.
5 In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.

6 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.

8 These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
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Proverbs 19 (New International Version)



Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

3 A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

4 Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man's friend deserts him.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

7 A poor man is shunned by all his relatives— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. [a]

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

16 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

22 What a man desires is unfailing love [b] ; better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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Psalm 78 (New International Version)


Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph. [a]

1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-

3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

8 They would not be like their forefathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;

10 they did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by his law.

11 They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

12 He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand firm like a wall.

14 He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.

15 He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

18 They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the desert?

20 When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?"

21 When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

22 for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;

24 he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens and led forth the south wind by his power.

27 He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore.

28 He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.

29 They ate till they had more than enough, for he had given them what they craved.

30 But before they turned from the food they craved, even while it was still in their mouths,

31 God's anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

33 So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.

34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.

35 They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues;

37 their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.

38 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the desert and grieved him in the wasteland!

41 Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

For more text press: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
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David Crowder Band (playlist)

Listen to the whole Passion Let the Future Begin deluxe edition album before it comes out on Tuesday.
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Monday, March 18, 2013

Daily Prayer - A conversation with God - updated 3.18.2013




Good Morning Papa God,

I thank you for this day, for my being able to be here with you this morning, I'm blessed because you are a forgiving and an understanding God.

Thank you for everything you have done for me, and you keep on blessing me, even when I have forgotten you - you do not forget me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from you.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see myself through your eyes and acknowledge everything I see, and when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness.  Also, let me see how much you love me.

When this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, Papa you listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do your will.

Jesus, I now lay all my Stress and Burdens on you, because you already paid the Price for them on the Cross. Thank You does not seem to be enough to say but it’s the only words I have. So, Thank You Jesus.

I am going to try to show you in my actions how much I Love You.

I Thank you Lord that you are handling all my problems today, and that I don’t have to do anything about them till I hear from You, Then I will only do what I hear you tell me to do,

Praise you Lord!

I want to Thank You and Praise Your Name:
·        Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
·        Keep me strong that I may help the weak.
·        Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
·        I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way.
·        I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.
·        I pray for those who don't know you intimately.
·        I pray for those who don't believe.
·        I thank you that I believe.
·        I believe that you change people and you change things for good reasons.
·        I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
·        I pray for each and every one of my family members and friends and their families.
·        I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
·        I pray that they know there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than you
·        I pray that these words be received into your heart.
In Jesus Name AMEN.

Ps 143:8-12
8 Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I flee to You to hide me.
10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness.
11 Save my life, O Lord, for Your name's sake; in Your righteousness, bring my life out of trouble and free me from distress.
12 And in your mercy and loving-kindness, cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my inner self, for I am Your servant.

Ps 139:13-18 NIV

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Matt 7:7-8
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.


I want to walk so close to you that I can hear your heart beat and know the works of your Hands. Help me to break down internal walls so I can accept and learn who I am in you and accept what I see and change what needs to be changed. As I becoming aware of myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I become aware that I need healing in my soul as well as my spirit. This will give me a heart to decrease so you will increase in me, Praise God!

Now I will have a desire to walk closer with you Lord, and we can build our relationship that we both need - to be fulfilled and live the abundant live you have stored up for me and absorb the abundant love you have for me and the others you have placed in my life, so I will be so full of You that your love will just pour out of me. Please clean me up and show me how to access and walk in the Glorious abundance.

Matthew 6:31-34 Amplified Bible
31Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?
    32For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.
    33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
    34So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

You said I would be blessed to abundance, So, I will seek You and do your will and
According to your Word: I will have everything added to me more than I could think or imagine.

I Thank You for it.

In Jesus Name.

Papa show me if something is blocking my supply line.

Ps 28:1-3

UNTO YOU do I cry, O Lord my Rock, be not deaf and silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit [the grave].

2 Hear the voice of my supplication as I cry to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your innermost sanctuary (the Holy of Holies).

3 Drag me not away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors, but malice and mischief are in their hearts.

Psalm 139 17-18
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would out number the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Papa Thank you for forgiveness for all sins.Thank you For Jesus  I want nothing between you and I. so we can speak clearly to each other, I want to be able to hear your heart beat and know your secret things and what you want to be able to hear you speak to me to know what to share and not share.
In Jesus name. Amen

Eph 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Papa, You said in:
Psalm 20:4 NIV
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

My heart is to see souls saved Papa, so that no one will be lost.

Israel and America:
The Bible states in Isaiah 54:17 that “no weapon against Israel will prosper.” I hold this scripture before your throne o God as I ask you Papa to be merciful to your people, Israel. I am asking for you to defend Israel from being split in two.

May there be peace in your beloved, Israel.

I Thank you for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you are going to do in Israel, America and the world.

Please have mercy on us for the sake of the Christians and Messianic Jews.

Protect us from our any one that may want to give away our rights and try to squelch our freedom of speech, So many people fought and died for.

I pray for our Leadership that they would be willing to hear you and would respond in the way you would have them to. Give them the measurer of faith to know and accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ.


Papa I ask that the temple in Israel would be rebuilt.

I pray Messiah that you would speak to your chosen, the Jewish people  give them dreams, visions and visitations of who you are.

Tell them how much you love them.

Yeshua. Draw them to you. Let them know you are the Messiah they are looking for and who will and wants to save them. Let your voice be heard through out the streets of Israel and the entire world as you lift the veil off your beloved people and give them a chance to turn there hearts back to you.

I pray that all the descendents of Abraham will all come together at this time and rejoice in Jerusalem and worship you in unity and truth.
Saying: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Thank you Papa, for the release of your revival fire in the city of Jerusalem, the nation of Israel and the entire world.

The Bible states in Isaiah 54:17 that “no weapon against Israel will prosper.” I hold this scripture before your throne O Jehovah God as I ask you Papa to be merciful to your people, Israel

World Governments and Peoples:

Papa Please forgive us for disappointing you.

I have herd you are deeply saddened with the state of  World Governments.

Please forgive us.

Please make yourself known to us in a way we cannot deny your existence.

So everyone across the world would say Jehovah God is the only true God and He is real and alive today.


Papa the Islamist strategy of world domination is largely misunderstood by naïve politicians open there eyes to this agenda.

This is why I am asking for our President as well as all of our government officials across the world to be given dreams and visions showing them what you want them to know. Please show them how to stop the radical Muslim Ghad.

I pray Papa that you would speak to the Muslims, giving them dreams, visions and visitations of who you are. Tell them how much you love them.

Draw them to you.

Let them know you are the one and only true God who will and wants to save them.

I pray for, Sudan that your will be done there. That slavery and rapes and murder would end.

I pray for Russia, China, North/South Korea, the middle east and all the countries of the world.

Prayers for the Family

Papa You said in Psalm 20:4 NIV
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

In Matt 7:7-11 NIV 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!



A Prayer for your Family Member by Name


Papa God, I thank you for Insert name and that their family is doing well and protected.

I ask that Insert name:
·      will see You pour out Your spirit upon them.
·      will develop a heart for You, Your Word, and Your ways.
·      will grow in wisdom, discernment, and revelation.
·      will find freedom, restoration, and wholeness.
·      will understand Your purpose for their lives.
·      will work successfully and have financial stability.
·      will have a sound mind and a right attitude.
·      will resist evil influences and destructive behavior.
·      will avoid all sexual temptations.
·      will experience good health and God's healing.
·      will enjoy a successful marriage and godly children, and they   will maintain strong and fulfilling relationships.
·      will be protected and survive tough times.
·      will walk into the future God has for them.


Papa God open up Insert name mind and spirit so they will understand how and what to pray for.

Thanks Papa that they will have good sleep, rest and peace through the night and through the seasons of life that will surpass everything that Insert name could think or imagine.

Thanks,
in Jesus name. Amen (So-be-it).                                                                  3.18.2013
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The Armor of God



Ephesians 6:10-20



The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Federative Republic of Brazil - Latin America



Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Mar 18: Brazil

Mar 18: Brazil

Brazil

Federative Republic of Brazil

Latin America

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 8,511,965 sq km
One-half of the land surface and population of South America. The world’s fifth largest country in both area and population.
Population: 195,423,252    Annual Growth: 0.99%
Capital: Brasilia
Urbanites: 86.5%
HDI Rank: 75 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 315 (18% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Portuguese    Languages: 193 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians178,616,85291.401.1
Evangelicals51,334,09126.31.7
Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

The role of missionaries has changed over the years as Brazil’s evangelicals have grown and matured. Expatriate workers are most needed in training leaders, preparing Brazilian missionaries, helping locals establish holistic ministries and pioneering work in the Amazon region. Missions with the largest number of workers: BMM, NTM, CC, ABWE, YWAM, PCKH(Korea), Brazil Gospel Fellowship, CW, WEC, Project Amazon. Pray that the foreign missionary force would be deployed in a strategic manner most beneficial to the Brazilian Church and mission movement.
Christian literature and media.
a) Scriptures. A large proportion of evangelicals read the Bible daily. The Bible Society alone sells/distributes over 5 million Bibles per year; the Gideons distribute 6.7 million NTs per year. Through these and other groups, up to 300 million Scripture portions and pieces of Christian literature are distributed each year.
b) Christian books. Brazil’s most widely sold books are about magic, the occult and psychographed (dictated by the dead) books. Evangelicals are not avid consumers of Christian books, despite there being many Christian publishing houses. Pray for more Christian books that will resonate with the Brazilian mentality to both disciple Christians and challenge non-Christians.
c) The JESUS film is available in 25 languages, including 22 Amerindian languages.
d) Radio and TV are booming areas of ministry. There are countless radio programmes. Many larger churches have their own TV stations, either local or national. These transmit good content but also the bad aspects of “show-biz Christianity”. Internationally, TWR, HCJB and others beam over 1,000 hours across FM, AM and shortwave each week.
e) Audio resources. GRN has prepared tapes in 90 indigenous languages, many of which are the only Christian material for that whole language.WBT, UBS, FCBH and others are part of the resource development.
f) Internet. The tech-savvy younger generation connect with each other, watch or hear sermons online and access Bible study, discipleship and prayer materials on the myriad websites run by churches or para-church ministries. This is an increasingly vital part of effective young people’s ministry in particular.
     For an additional 10 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Brazil.
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Aaronic Blessing (playlist)

Uploaded on Feb 23, 2011
May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
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Titus 2 (New International Version, ©2010)



Titus 2

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
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1 Chronicles 19 (New International Version)



1 Chronicles 19

The Battle Against the Ammonites

1 In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David's men came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him, 3 the Ammonite nobles said to Hanun, "Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? Haven't his men come to you to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun seized David's men, shaved them, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When someone came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, "Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back."

6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David's nostrils, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents [a] of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, [b] Aram Maacah and Zobah. 7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle.

8 On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. 9 The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.

10 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 11 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother, and they were deployed against the Ammonites. 12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to rescue me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will rescue you. 13 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight."

14 Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. 15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they too fled before his brother Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

16 After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they sent messengers and had Arameans brought from beyond the River, [c] with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer's army leading them.

17 When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan; he advanced against them and formed his battle lines opposite them. David formed his lines to meet the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him. 18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

19 When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.
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Proverbs 18 (New International Version)



Proverbs 18

1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.

2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.

6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.

12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.

14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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