Sunday, July 12, 2015
Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a]
4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
The Armor of God
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 Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, 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.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a]
4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
The Armor of God
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 Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, 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.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Revelation 11
Revelation 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 5
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Revelation 10
Revelation 10 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 10
The Angel and the Little Scroll
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but 'in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.'[a]" 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
Revelation 10
The Angel and the Little Scroll
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but 'in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.'[a]" 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
Friday, July 10, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 47
Acts 1; Acts 2; Acts 3
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that
Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up
to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he
had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these
men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over
a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one
occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do
not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have
heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a
few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So
when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going
to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them:
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his
own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After
he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from
their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as
he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men
of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the
same way you have seen him go into heaven." 12 Then they
returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's
walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs
to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and
Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and
Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined
together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up
among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and
said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit
spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide
for those who arrested Jesus-- 17 he was one of our number and
shared in this ministry." 18(With the reward he got for his
wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open
and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem
heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that
is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For," said Peter, "it
is written in the book of Psalms, " 'May his place be deserted; let there
be no one to dwell in it,' and, " 'May another take his place of
leadership.' 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the
men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among
us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus
was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his
resurrection." 23So they proposed two men: Joseph called
Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they
prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you
have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which
Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast
lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in
one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent
wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They
saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each
of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now
there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under
heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in
bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly
amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then
how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians,
Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya
near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to
Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our
own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one
another, "What does this mean?" 13 Some, however,
made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine. " 14 Then
Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to
you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not
drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is
what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 " 'In the last
days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will
dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I
will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I
will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and
fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to
darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day
of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.' 22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus
of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,
which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This
man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you,
with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But
God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it
was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David
said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my
right hand, I will not be shaken.26 Therefore my heart is glad and
my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because
you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You
have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your
presence.' 29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that
the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But
he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place
one of his descendants on his throne.31 Seeing what was ahead, he
spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the
grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this
Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted
to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy
Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For
David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my
Lord: "Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." ' 36 "Therefore let all
Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both
Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they
were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers,
what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The
promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom
the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he
warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt
generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were
baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They
devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with
awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All
the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling
their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved.
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the
time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.2 Now a man crippled from
birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put
every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When
he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter
looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So
the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then
Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."7 Taking him by
the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles
became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then
he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising
God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they
recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate
called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had
happened to him. 11 While the beggar held on to Peter and
John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place
called Solomon's Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to
them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us
as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his
servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before
Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned
the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You
killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses
of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you
see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes
through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 17 "Now,
brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But
this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying
that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to
God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from
the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been
appointed for you--even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven
until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago
through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your
God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you
must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not
listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' 24 "Indeed,
all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these
days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant
God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all
peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26 When God raised up his
servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your
wicked ways."
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Revelation 9
Revelation 9 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 9
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Revelation 9
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 46
Luke 24; John 20; John
21
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They
found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they
entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While
they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like
lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed
down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you
look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen!
Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The
Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on
the third day be raised again.' " 8 Then they remembered
his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all
these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who
told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the
women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter,
however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying
by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 13 Now
that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven
miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other
about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and
discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along
with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He
asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named
Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know
the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What
things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
"He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the
people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to
be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had
hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it
is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition,
some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but
didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of
angels, who said he was alive.24 Then some of our companions went
to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not
see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and
how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did
not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And
beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they
approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going
farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay
with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took
bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then
their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their
sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts
burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures
to us?" 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together34 and
saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then
the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them
when he broke the bread. 36 While they were still talking
about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be
with you." 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking
they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you
troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my
hands and my feet. It is I myself ! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have
flesh and bones, as you see I have." 40 When he had said
this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they
still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do
you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece
of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their
presence. 44 He said to them, "This is what I told you
while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about
me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then
he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He
told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from
the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins
will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You
are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what
my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with
power from on high." 50 When he had led them out to the
vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While
he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then
they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And
they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still
dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed
from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and
the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the
Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" 3 So
Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were
running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He
bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then
Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the
strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth
that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate
from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached
the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They
still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then
the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood
outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and
saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and
the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, "Woman, why are
you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and
I don't know where they have put him." 14 At this, she
turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was
Jesus. 15 "Woman," he said, "why are you
crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she
said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him,
and I will get him." 16 Jesus said to her,
"Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,
"Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said,
"Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go
instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your
Father, to my God and your God.' " 18 Mary Magdalene went
to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told
them that he had said these things to her. 19 On the evening
of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors
locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
"Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he
showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the
Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the
Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that
he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If
you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them,
they are not forgiven." 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus),
one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So
the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to
them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where
the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26 A
week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
"Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas,
"Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into
my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to
him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him,
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed." 30 Jesus did many other
miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in
this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in
his name.
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the
Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called
Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other
disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish,"
Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they
went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early
in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize
that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends,
haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He
said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find
some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the
large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved
said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him
say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for
he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other
disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not
far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed,
they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus
said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon
Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish,
153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said
to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask
him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus
came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This
was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from
the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to
Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than
these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love
you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again
Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered,
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of
my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon
son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the
third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I
tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where
you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone
else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus
said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then
he said to him, "Follow me!" 20 Peter turned and saw
that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who
had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going
to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked,
"Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If
I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow
me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the
brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would
not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what
is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who testifies to
these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus
did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I
suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would
be written.
Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 3
God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] 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 Lord's holy people, 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 3
God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] 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 Lord's holy people, 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.
Revelation 8
Revelation 8 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 8
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The Trumpets
6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
Revelation 8
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The Trumpets
6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Jul 08: Indonesia, West Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara Barat) | Operation World
Jul 08: Indonesia, West Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara Barat) | Operation World
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Click on the link to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 45
Matthew 28; Mark 16
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There
was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and,
going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The
guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The
angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has
risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then
go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going
ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So
the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell
his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them.
"Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and
worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be
afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." 11 While
the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported
to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the
chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the
soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, "You are
to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were
asleep.' 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will
satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."15 So the soldiers
took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely
circulated among the Jews to this very day. 16 Then the eleven
disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When
they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then
Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age."
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very
early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way
to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll
the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when
they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled
away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed
in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't
be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who
was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But
go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There
you will see him, just as he told you.' " 8 Trembling and
bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to
anyone, because they were afraid. 9 When Jesus rose early on
the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he
had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had
been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they
heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward
Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in
the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest;
but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared
to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and
their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He
said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all
creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these
signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;
they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes
with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at
all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19 After
the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at
the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and
preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by
the signs that accompanied it.
Revelation 7
Revelation 7 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 7
144,000 Sealed
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,'[a] nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
'he will lead them to springs of living water.'[b] 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'[c]"
Revelation 7
144,000 Sealed
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,'[a] nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
'he will lead them to springs of living water.'[b] 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'[c]"
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