Saturday, October 31, 2015

The L'Arche Canada Foundation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Thought by Jean Vanier for Friday, 30 October 2015 "The Child within"

The L'Arche Canada Foundation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Thought by Jean Vanier for Friday, 30 October 2015 "The Child within"
The child inside of us, the child which is called to trust, to sing, to dance, to look at other people without fear and without wanting to control is not alive. So it's true that our society is killing children. We do not allow children to be themselves but we prepare them for power.[Jean Vanier, Man Alive, CBC, March 1992]
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The Daily Hope with Rick Warren from The Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States "Integrity: What You Are When You’re Alone With God" by Rick Warren — Friday, October 30, 2015

The Daily Hope with Rick Warren from The Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States "Integrity: What You Are When You’re Alone With God" by Rick Warren — Friday, October 30, 2015
CURRENT TEACHING SERIES
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NLT, second edition)
The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (NLT, second edition).
To “see God” means to experience the presence of God. Believers who have a pure heart get to feel the power of God. They get to know the purpose of God for their lives. They get to live in the peace of God. They experience the pardon of God.
Do you want to be one of those people? We don’t talk a lot these days about being pure in heart, but we do use the word “integrity.” To have integrity does not mean you are perfect, because if it did, none of us would have it!
So what does it mean to have integrity?
Integrity is wholeness.
A lot of people think of their life like a pie, and the different parts of their life are the pieces of the pie. This slice of the pie is my career. This is my work life. This is my spiritual life. Then this is my family life. That one is my social life. Then over here is my secret life — my compulsions, addictions, and the things nobody else knows about.
If you segment your life like that, you lack integrity, because your life is not a whole. Integrity means you’re the same person with everybody, in your speech, actions, and motives, no matter which part of life you’re dealing with.
Integrity is authenticity.
During plays in ancient Greek culture, there was one guy who would play multiple roles. He would come onstage wearing a mask and then go backstage to put on a different mask to play another role. This person was called the “hupokrites,” and it’s where we get the word “hypocrite.”
When you wear masks so that you appear one way in front of some people and another way for others, it shows a lack of authenticity. God wants you to be exactly who he made you to be, no matter who is watching.
Integrity is unmixed motivation.
It means you do the right thing, and you do it for the right reason. You have unmixed motivation and pure motives. You’re sincere and straightforward in every area of your life and with all people. You pray to talk to God and not to impress other people.
We’re interested in image, but God is interested in integrity. We’re interested in reputation, but God is interested in character. Reputation is what everybody thinks you are. Integrity is what you really are. Reputation is what you are in public. Integrity is what you are when you’re all alone with God.
God blesses those who have integrity. They get to be the friends of God.
“The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity” (Proverbs 11:20).
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over:

  • Would the people in each area of your life — your coworkers, classmates, family members, and friends — all use the same words to describe you? Why or why not?
  • What keeps you from showing vulnerability in your relationships?
  • Do people feel like they can let down their guard with you? How do you show others that you accept them just as they are?
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Reflecting God - "A Rich Man Asks For Prayer" at The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 30 October 2015 - Embrace Holy Living - Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Reflecting God - "A Rich Man Asks For Prayer" at The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 30 October 2015 - Embrace Holy Living - Scripture: Acts 8:9-25RG AUDIO 103015
Acts 8:9 But there was a man named Shim‘on in the city who for some time had been practicing magic and astonishing the nation of Shomron, claiming to be somebody great. 10 Everyone gave heed to him, from the lowest to the highest, saying, “This man is the power of God called ‘The Great Power’.” 11 They followed him because for a considerable time he had amazed them with his magic.
12 But when they came to believe Philip, as he announced the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yeshua the Messiah, they were immersed, both men and women. 13 Moreover, Shim‘on himself came to believe; and after being immersed, he attached himself closely to Philip; and he was amazed as he saw the miraculous signs and great works of power that kept taking place.
14 When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan, 15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh. 16 For until then he had not come upon any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then, as Kefa and Yochanan placed their hands on them, they received the Ruach HaKodesh.
18 Shim‘on saw that the Spirit was given when the emissaries placed their hands on them, and he offered them money. 19 “Give this power to me, too,” he said, “so that whoever I place my hands on will receive the Ruach HaKodesh.” 20 But Kefa said to him, “Your silver go to ruin — and you with it, for thinking the free gift of God can be bought! 21 You have no part at all in this matter; because in the eyes of God, your heart is crooked. 22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps you will yet be forgiven for holding such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are extremely bitter and completely under the control of sin!” 24 Shim‘on answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that none of the things you have spoken about will happen to me.”
25 Then, after giving a thorough witness and speaking the Word of the Lord, Kefa and Yochanan started back to Yerushalayim, announcing the Good News to many villages in Shomron.
"A Rich Man Asks For Prayer" by Author: Jeremy Scott
God will not be bought. God cannot be bought. The Lord’s Prayer concludes by stating that everything is God’s: kingdom, power, glory. God cannot be bought because God doesn’t operate in the way that humanity does. With Christ’s sacrifice and the Church following His example, God has everything needed for His will to be accomplished. Money is of no concern to God.
Simon the sorcerer tried to buy from the apostles the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on those for whom he prayed. Peter’s rebuke was harsh, yet true: Money and the power it wields can leave one in chains of evil desire. Thankfully, Simon’s repentant request for the apostle’s intercession put him on a better path. The book of Acts has already told us that Simon had been baptized and believed, but apparently he still had things to unlearn.
It can be encouraging to know that even after belief and baptism the follower of Christ has room for further learning and development. The example of the Spirit of God in Acts being constantly on move gives great hope. We may find ourselves or our desires in conflict with what God wants, in those moments the ability to repent and pray offers hope.
"Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated" by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Thought for the Day:
"For what one earns from sin is death; but eternal life is what one receives as a free gift from God, in union with the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord." Romans 6:23
Pow Yelease pray:
That many people in Saint Vincent will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Ready or Not?" for Friday, October 30, 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Ready or Not?" for Friday, October 30, 2015
(Jesus said) "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'"[Matthew 25:8]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
The story of the ten girls is quite familiar to us.
The main question their story asks is what will really happen when Christ arrives to judge the world?
The ten girls represent everyone who claims some connection with Christianity. Theoretically, all of us should be church-goers, good Christians, Jesus' friends, who are doing all they can to be prepared for the unknown hour when they will meet Him. But there is a division in this big group. Among all of these so-called Christians, some are wise and others are foolish. By that I mean, while all of these Christians have lamps, only some of those lamps are ready for action.
Unbelievably, it's true.
There are those who have empty lamps. These people look good. To everyone they meet, they seem prepared and ready for the Bridegroom's coming. Indeed, it is possible they may even have fooled themselves. No matter how many have been fooled, their empty lamps are not ready, nor are they ready for the Lord's return.
This is an alarming situation: five people have unready lamps -- lamps that will be going out. That is up to 50 percent of the total number of Christians. Little wonder Jesus said many are called but only a few will be accepted.
Remember, the main problem is not the lamp but the lack of oil in the lamp.
Oil represents a Holy Spirit-given faith, which has a desire to be ready for and near to the Savior. The wise watchers in this story were those who were prepared to meet the groom now, tomorrow or anytime. The foolish watchers were those who were only going through the outward motions.
Theirs is a dangerous and untenable position.
As Jesus once said, a time is coming when "no man can work" (see John 9:4). It was a lesson the foolish should have learned. When word came that the groom was going to be there soon, they said, "Let us have some of your oil."
We cannot share our oil with someone else! No one has an extra grace or faith that he can offer to others. Faith is a personal thing and salvation is individually bestowed through the Savior's sacrifice. My faith will save me and me alone, not other members of my family.
The entry to the eternal wedding festival of heaven reminds us of the flood story at the time of Noah. Scripture says that when those people of faith were all in the boat, the Lord shut the door (see Genesis 7:16). And those without faith ... for them there was no second chance; there was no time to reverse their position, no time to go and get some faith.
They were ready or they were not.
This is why, in this parable the Lord is saying, "Always be ready!" You don't know the day or the time when Jesus will return (see Matthew 25:13).
THE PRAYER: Almighty God, keep us in faith in Jesus, who allowed Himself to be crucified for our cleansing. Pour into us the oil for the flame of faith and love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by the Rev. William David Zoulder. A graduate of the Lomonossov State University in Moscow; The Malagasy Lutheran Church appointed him as a French lecturer at their Graduate School of Theology. Pastor Zoulder graduated from the School of Theology in Natal, South Africa. Since then he has served his Lord as a parish pastor. His language skills have been of great value in our Madagascar office's Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and our radio programs. Pastor Zoulder is married and has three children.
Known in-country as the Voice of the Gospel, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Madagascar established an office in Antananarivo in 1993. Connecting with communities through rallies and film showings, hundreds are reached, including high school youth and young offenders in detention centers. Radio, however, is the most effective medium in reaching the greatest number of people. To that end, this ministry center broadcasts a 30-minute FM program each week that addresses spiritual, emotional and cultural topics from a Christian perspective. Additionally, Bible Correspondence Courses, which are used by more than 5,000 participants, and Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops, which provide tools for personal evangelism, are two valuable programs touching many lives in this African island nation of more than 22 million people.
Check out the story and pictures of how LHM-Madagascar is graduating individuals through its Bible Correspondence Course program by clicking here to read its ministry center blog.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhm.org/international.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Jeremiah 27:
1 At the beginning of the reign of Y’hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y’hudah, this word came to Yirmeyahu from Adonai: 2 “Adonai says this to me: ‘Make yourself a yoke of straps and crossbars, and put it on your neck. 3 Send [similar yokes] to the kings of Edom, of Mo’av, of the people of ‘Amon, of Tzor, and of Tzidon by means of the envoys they send to Yerushalayim, and to Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah. 4 Give them this message for their masters by telling their envoys that Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says for them to tell their masters:
5 “‘“I made the earth, humankind, and the animals on the earth by my great power and my outstretched arm; and I give it to whom it seems right to me. 6 For now, I have given over all these lands to my servant N’vukhadnetzar the king of Bavel; I have also given him the wild animals to serve him. 7 All the nations will serve him, his son and his grandson, until his own country gets its turn — at which time many nations and great kings will make him their slave. 8 The nation and kingdom that refuses to serve this N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel, that will not put their necks under the yoke of the king of Bavel, I will punish,” says Adonai “with sword, famine and plague, until I have put an end to them through him.
9 “‘“You, therefore, don’t listen to your prophets, diviners, dreamers, magicians or sorcerers, when they tell you that you won’t be subject to the king of Bavel; 10 for they are prophesying lies to you that will result in your being removed far from your land, with my driving you out, so that you perish. 11 But the nation that puts its neck under the yoke of the king of Bavel and serves him, that nation I will allow to remain on their own soil,” says Adonai. “They will farm it and live there.”’”
12 Then I spoke to Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah in just the same way: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Bavel, serve him and his people, and you will live. 13 Why would you want to die, you and your people, by sword, famine and plague — which is what Adonai has decreed for the nation that will not serve the king of Bavel? 14 Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Bavel’; because they are prophesying lies to you. 15 ‘For I have not sent them,’ says Adonai, ‘and they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out, and you will perish — you and the prophets prophesying to you.’”
16 I also spoke to the cohanim and to all this people; I said, “This is what Adonai says: ‘Don’t listen to the words of the prophets prophesying to you that the articles from Adonai’s house will soon be returned from Bavel; because they are prophesying lies to you. 17 Don’t listen to them. Serve the king of Bavel, and stay alive; why should this city become a ruin?’ 18 But if they are in fact prophets, and if the word of Adonai is with them, then let them now intercede with Adonai-Tzva’ot that the articles still remaining in the house of Adonai and in the palace of the king of Y’hudah will not go off to Bavel. 19 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says concerning the columns, the Sea, the bases and the rest of the articles still here in this city, 20 that N’vukhadnetzar, king of Bavel did not seize when he carried off captive Y’khanyahu the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, from Yerushalayim to Bavel, along with all the leading men of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim — 21 yes, this is what Adonai Shaddai, the God of Isra’el, says about the things remaining in the house of Adonai, in the palace of the king of Y’hudah and in Yerushalayim: 22 ‘They will be carried to Bavel; and there they will stay until the day I remember them, bring them back and restore them to this place,’ says Adonai.”
28:1 That same year, at the beginning of the reign of Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananyah the son of ‘Azur the prophet, from Giv‘on, spoke to me in Adonai’s house in front of the cohanim and all the people, saying, 2 “This is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Bavel. 3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles from Adonai’s house that N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel removed from this place and carried to Bavel. 4 Also I will bring back here Y’khanyah the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, along with all those from Y’hudah who were taken captive to Bavel,’ says Adonai, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Bavel.’”
5 Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to the prophet Hananyah in front of the cohanim and all the people standing in Adonai’s house — 6 the prophet Yirmeyahu said, “Amen! May Adonai do it! May Adonai fulfill the words you have prophesied and bring back from Bavel to this place the articles from Adonai’s house and all the people who were carried away captive! 7 Nevertheless, listen now to this word that I am speaking for you to hear and for all the people to hear. 8 The prophets who were here before me and before you prophesied in times past against many countries and against great kingdoms about war, disaster and plagues. 9 As for a prophet who prophesies peace — when the word of that prophet is fulfilled, it will be evident concerning that prophet that Adonai indeed did send him.”
10 At this point Hananyah the prophet took the crossbar off the prophet Yirmeyahu’s neck and broke it. 11 Then Hananyah, in front of all the people, said, “Thus says Adonai: ‘In just this way will I break off the yoke of N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel from the necks of all the nations within two years.’”
The prophet Yirmeyahu left them; 12 but then this word of Adonai came to Yirmeyahu, after Hananyah the prophet had broken off the crossbar from the neck of the prophet Yirmeyahu: 13 “Go and tell Hananyah that Adonai:says, ‘You have broken the crossbars of wood, but you will make in their place crossbars of iron. 14 For here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: “I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, so that they can serve N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel; and they will serve him; and I have given him the wild animals too.”’”
15 Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to Hananyah the prophet, “Listen here, Hananyah! Adonai has not sent you! You are making these people trust in a lie! 16 Therefore, here is what Adonai says: ‘I am about to send you away from the face of the earth — this year you will die, because you have preached rebellion against Adonai.’” 17 Hananyah the prophet died that same year, in the seventh month.
29:1 Following is the text of the letter Yirmeyahu the prophet sent from Yerushalayim to the leaders remaining in exile, as well as to the cohanim, the prophets and all the people N’vukhadnetzar had carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel. 2 This was after Y’khanyah the king, the queen mother, the officers, the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, and the artisans and skilled workers had left Yerushalayim. 3 The letter was entrusted to El‘asah the son of Shafan and G’maryah the son of Hilkiyah; Tzidkiyah king of Y’hudah sent them to Bavel, to N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel. The letter said:
4 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says to all those in exile, whom I have caused to be carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel: 5 ‘Build yourselves houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce. 6 Choose women to marry, and have sons and daughters. Choose wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage to men, so that they can have sons and daughters — increase your numbers there, don’t decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’ 8 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Don’t let your prophets who are living among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t pay attention to the dreams you urge them to dream. 9 For they are prophesying falsely in my name; I have not sent them,’ says Adonai.
10 “For here is what Adonai says: ‘After Bavel’s seventy years are over, I will remember you and fulfill my good promise to you by bringing you back to this place. 11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. 12 When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; 14 and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says Adonai, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’
15 “You say that Adonai has raised up prophets for you in Bavel. 16 But here is what Adonai says about the king occupying David’s throne and about all the people living in this city, your kinsmen who did not go into exile with you — 17 thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘I will attack them with sword, famine and plague; I will make them like bad figs, so bad they are inedible. 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine and plague and make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth; and they will bring on themselves cursing, astonishment, ridicule and reproach among all the nations where I have driven them; 19 because they have not paid attention to my words,’ says Adonai, ‘which I sent to them through my servants the prophets. I sent them frequently, but you refused to listen,’ says Adonai.
20 “So pay attention now to the word of Adonai, all of you in exile, whom I sent away from Yerushalayim to Bavel. 21 Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says about Ach’av the son of Kolayah and Tzidkiyahu the son of Ma‘aseiyah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: ‘I will hand them over to N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel, and he will put them to death before your eyes. 22 In fact, all those exiled from Y’hudah who are in Bavel will take up this formula for cursing: “May Adonai make you like Tzidkiyahu and Ach’av, whom the king of Bavel roasted in the fire!” 23 because they have done vile things in Isra’el, committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and speaking words in my name, falsely, which I did not order them to say. For I am he who knows; I am witness to this,’ says Adonai.
24 “To Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami you are to communicate this message: 25 ‘This is a word from Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, because of the letters you sent in your own name to all the people in Yerushalayim, including Tz’fanyah the son of Ma‘aseiyah the cohen and all the cohanim. 26 Your letter said, “Adonai has made you cohen in place of Y’hoyada the cohen, in order to have officials in Adonai’s house who will arrest any crazy person who makes himself out to be a prophet, so that you can restrain him in stocks and collar. 27 So why haven’t you rebuked Yirmeyahu of ‘Anatot, who makes himself out to be a prophet for you? 28 He even sends word to us in Bavel saying that the exile will last a long time; so build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat what they produce.” 29 Tz’fanyah the cohen read this letter to Yirmeyahu the prophet, and afterwards 30 the word of Adonai came to Yirmeyahu, 31 instructing him to send to all those in exile this message: “Here is what Adonai says about Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami: ‘This Sh’ma‘yah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has caused you to put your trust in a lie. 32 Because of this,’ Adonai says, ‘I will punish Sh’ma‘yah the Nechelami and his offspring. He will not have a man to live among this people, and he will not see the good I am planning to do for my people,’ says Adonai, ‘because he has preached rebellion against Adonai.’”’”
Hebrews 5:1 For every cohen gadol taken from among men is appointed to act on people’s behalf with regard to things concerning God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he too is subject to weakness. 3 Also, because of this weakness, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor upon himself, rather, he is called by God, just as Aharon was.
5 So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7]
6 Also, as he says in another place,
“You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”[Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4]
7 During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.
11 We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding. 12 For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God’s Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.
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The Lutheran Hour
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 United States
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org

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"Called to Serve" by photo George Mitovich, San Diego civic leader

"Called to Serve" by photo George  Mitovich, San Diego civic leader
"We should take very seriously what the dreadful past can tell us about our blindness and predilections. The haunting fact is we are morally free. If everyone around us is calling for Barabbas, it is only probable, never necessary, that some of us join in. Since we have not yet burned the taper of earthly existence down to its end, we still
have time to muster the dignity and graciousness and courage that are uniquely our gift. If we are making the last testament to human life, or if we are only one more beleaguered generation in a series whose end we cannot foresee, each of us and all of us know what human beauty would look like. We could let it have its moment. Fine, but would this solve the world's problems? It might solve a good many of them. I think." ]"Awakening" by Marilynne Robinson, FT Weekend ]
I am writing this while flying back from Seattle, where I spent two days at a conference of A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE). I was invited because I serve on the seminary board of Seattle Pacific University (SPU), an institution of high learning of the Free Methodist Church, a small Christian denomination that in 1860 had its beginnings in Pekin, New York; a denomination started by Methodist clergy removed from their pulpits because they believed slavery immoral and refused to compromise their beliefs and the Methodist church, disliking controversy, booted them out. (I do not expect you to know that history, but to know that history matters.)
The conference began Sunday afternoon on campus at SPU and ended Tuesday afternoon; a conference that featured, among others, Reverend Craig Brown, senior minister at First United Methodist Church of San Diego; Dr. Kenneth H. Carter, bishop of the Florida area of the United Methodist Church, author of eight books; Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, professor of Youth & Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary, author of seven books and considered the nation's leading authority on religion and youth; Dr. L. Gregory Jones, senior strategist for Leadership Education at Duke Seminary (and former dean), author of five books; and SPU's own seminary dean, Dr. Douglas M. Strong, the convener of the conference.
Participants came from California, Idaho, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. At the table where I sat I was surrounded by Ph.Ds on my left, Ph.Ds on my right, and Ph.Ds across the table; indeed, a conference room full of Ph.Ds (I had no occasion to mention my Litt.D. from Point Loma Nazarene University).
In short, this was a conference of incredibly smart and hugely accomplished human beings; all of whom traveled to the Pacific Northwest for one purpose - how do we improve Christian higher education to better serve society?
If you're still with me, since I'm not writing about Donald Trump or Ben Carson, or Carley Fiorina or Hillary Clinton, or Vladimir Putin or ISIS, or America's immoral wealth divide or one percenters, but rather ask you to focus on that line - "to better serve society."
I served for two years as president of the San Diego County Ecumenical Council, an organization of more than 100 Christian churches.
The Council included churches big and small; churches that met in Cathedrals and those that met in hotel ballrooms; Protestant and Catholic churches; Orthodox and Mainline churches; churches theologically liberal and theologically conservative - but joined as one in their common commitment to serve society.
Which is to say, to serve a secular society overwhelmingly clueless on the services provided by Christian churches and the faith community.
In my two years of leading the Council I came to understand this essential and fundamental truth - absent Christian churches and the faith community the social fabric of American society tears apart; or to put in less elegant language, that absent their presence in our midst, we are totally screwed.
But that wasn't the focus of the conference, as the good and even extraordinary deeds done by churches and faith communities wasn't in question; but whether that remains a given depends upon, first, the willingness of churches to change, and, secondly, their ability to implement change - and neither is certain.
What these remarkably intelligent men and women were trying to accomplish was to look at where churches are and where they need to go; that the "back to Egypt" mindset characteristics of too many in today's churches, Dr. Jones said, won't work in our postmodern world; that a new paradigm is required.
A great deal was said about "millennials", a generation largely in rejection of the institutional church; a generation confused about the meaning of God, yet wanting, at the same time, acceptance, love, and a purposeful life.
But while "millennials" was often invoked, another word was more often heard - and that word was, "reconciliation."
Dr. Jones talked about the need for reconciliation through relationships; that in an impersonal age people are desperate to relate; of the need to feel acceptance, of being loved - especially young people.
He spoke of a time when some children were educated in one-room school houses, where teachers had to teach grades first through nine, which required the skill of being able to reach each child at the level of their need. He used this example to emphasize how impersonal education has become, where teachers barely know their students' names, much less their stories (an undeniable fact, I believe, of too many public schools and non-Christian secular institutions of higher learning).
In colloquies that followed these forceful presentations, including SPU's Jeffrey Keuss, the younger academics and clergy at the conference kept coming back to the Christian churches' calling to be a welcoming and accepting and loving community; that absent that moral standing, many in our society will increasingly find the church irrelevant - as too many already have.
I stand in awe of these men and women who have committed their lives to preparing the next generation of church and faith leaders for service to others; to bind the wounds of those broken in both body and soul, to heal the hurt in our society - and provide others with a chance to make it in our troubled and uncertain world.
"We could let it have its moment. "Fine", Marilynne Robinson wrote, "but would this solve the world's problems? It might solve a good many of them. I think."
Yes, I also think. Don't you?
The conference ended with a service of communion, with Doug Strong and SPU's Celeste Cranston, offering the bread and wine at a table open to all; a reminder that out of our brokenness the church and faith communities offer healing and forgiveness - and they do this because they are called to serve.
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disabled Christianity "Hospital reflections" by Jeff McNair for Thursday, 29 October 2015

disabled Christianity "Hospital reflections" by Jeff McNair for Thursday, 29 October 2015
I just spent 24 hours in the hospital. My experience was so positive, I began to reflect on it as a model, perhaps a metaphor for how the church should be. I began at the emergency room. It was a smaller hospital in Southern Florida. The way things worked out, I was there at a time that wasn't very busy. The juvenile floor had staffing so after my procedure (appendectomy), I recovered there.
As I received the care I did, I felt so welcomed. The staff were extraordinarily patient with me and so friendly. In spite of my needs, they were non-judgemental and supportive of me. They were anxious to be helpful and even though I was only there briefly, they repeatedly told me how they wanted me to be well, down to a note on a white board in front of my bed that said, "we want you to get well." For that 24 hours, I was separated from the world, the larger society, but the plan was only to make me well and send me out again at my physical best. Overall, they were all about meeting my needs as their patient and nothing seemed to be too much trouble.
Now I am not one who has spent much time in the hospital, but I honestly, really didnt want to leave. A woman from food services had come by to tell me about her home made beef stew and biscuits for dinner which sounded fabulous and when I was told I would be released after lunch I was actually a little disappointed. I will also tell you I was surprised at my feelings. Who would be disappointed about being released from the hospital? I seriously wanted to stay a little longer to have the stew and because everyone was so nice.
Jesus in confronting the Pharisees in Mark 2:17 said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners." I don't think I would be taking this metaphor too far in asking, "What if the church were like my hospital experience?" What if people who are sick with sin would be welcomed as I was. What if people who were sick from the experience of negative social treatment were welcomed as I was. It should be a place where people go and feel the kinds of things I felt.
At the event I was attending, there were people I know, who have walked away from their faith. They are sick in a way, and both don't know it and perhaps haven't felt the healing atmosphere I felt at the hospital, at a church. That they would walk away is not a wise decision on their part. If only the church could be as irrestible as my care givers.
Seriously, I was a man in the hospital who had his emergency addressed. I was on my way back to health but didn't want to leave those who were the agents of my healing. God bless my care givers at the hospital! But God help his church to bless people as I was blessed, within the confines of his church. God teach us how to be like that.[Jeff McNair]
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Question & Answer for Thursday, 29 October 2015 - "Ground of Being?" in Gig Harbor, Washington, United States - A New Christianity for a New World with Bishop John Shelby Spong on the News and Christian Faith

Question & Answer for Thursday, 29 October 2015 - "Ground of Being?" in Gig Harbor, Washington, United States - A New Christianity for a New World with Bishop John Shelby Spong on the News and Christian Faith
HOMEPAGE MY PROFILE ESSAY ARCHIVE MESSAGE BOARDS CALENDAR

Question & Answer
Maxine, via the Internet, writes:
Question:
I do not know what is meant by the term “Ground of All Being” used by Paul Tillich and you. I do not get a concept of what the term means. I need someone to explain it to me in more understandable terms.
I have read all of Marcus Borg’s books and can understand his terminology of Panentheism, but am lost on what is meant by “Ground of All Being.”
Answer:
Dear Maxine,
Part of the power of that phrase, “Ground of All Being” is that it resists definition, so your quandary is both normal and natural. The phrase represents a rebellion against the idolatrous God definitions that mark human history. Historically, we human beings have defined God by analogy. God was like the tribal chief; God was like the king; God was like the father figure; God was like the judge. Then someone realized that all these images were male, so God by definition did not represent 50% of the human race. Human beings needed a God image bigger and more inclusive than that of an all-powerful male.
We also noticed that the duties ascribed to the powerful male deity began to shrink as we learned more about how the universe operated. Were natural disasters instruments of God’s hostility? For centuries that was our explanation. Some primitive and unlearned religious figures still traffic in that kind of nonsense. It was Jerry Falwell who stated on television that the tragedy of 9/11 was caused presumably by God since America needed to be punished for tolerating abortion, feminism, homosexuality and the American Civil Liberties Union. Pat Robertson announced that the earthquake in Haiti was an expression of the Divine wrath at the Haitians for throwing the French out and declaring independence.
The God understood as a supernatural male simply was no longer big enough to be the object of human worship. The question then was does this mean that there is no such thing as God? Or does it mean that our understanding and definition of God is so inept as to be false and misleading. The push to begin to think of God, not as a being, but as the Ground of Being was the result of this struggle.
The phrase was introduced into philosophical language with the work of Plotinus in the third century (204-270 CE). It proved to be emotionally unsatisfying and so it languished. It was brought into Christianity and popularized by a man named Paul Tillich (1886-1965), who probably became the most influential Christian theologian in the 20th century. It presents us with a concept of God in whom all that is, is rooted. It suggests that God is an idea or presence that permeates all living things. It suggests that the more deeply and totally each of us can be all that we are capable of being, the more we make the God who is the Ground of Being visible. It sees the divinity of Jesus not in incarnational terms in which God is thought to have invaded the realm of the human, but as a human life which expanded until humanity was seen as part of what God is. It suggests that good is the enhancement of being and that evil is the denigration of being. Ultimately, this concept of God challenges traditional Christianity at every point.
I got my theological degree in 1955 from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. My professor of theology, Clifford L. Stanley, was a thoroughgoing Tillichian. He challenged me in every way imaginable. The difficulty was that he was a lone voice on that faculty of “traditional believers” and so the thought of Paul Tillich was never integrated into the rest of Christianity. That has not happened yet. The concept of an external “theistic Being” operating on or in the world no longer has credibility and still the churches pray “Our Father, who art in heaven,” and speak of an intervening God who knows all and sees all.
To re-image God from a being to the Ground of Being is a theological revolution of the first order. The leader or the church that tries to achieve that revolution will probably be defeated or will die trying. Not to participate in that revolution, however, is also to die.
Yes, understanding the idea of God as the Ground of Being is difficult. It may never become clear to millions, but not to face the reality that God, understood as a being who is supernatural in power is also doomed, is the first step that must be taken.
To put it another way: If one ceases to be a theist does that make one an atheist or can one be a non-theist and a profound Christian at the same time? I vote for this latter possibility, but I do not see many churches, denominations or theological seminaries either willing or capable of entering this arena. I think that is tragic because the future of Christianity lies in the willingness to walk into this uncharted territory.
John Shelby Spong
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"The future of Christianity depends first on hearing the life-giving message of love that is the heart of the gospel and then transforming our various guilt-laden liturgies so that they too reflect this message. Without these things rising to consciousness inside the Christian church, I do not believe that there will be or can be a Christian future. So I live more in hope than in confidence as I view the life of institutional Christianity in its various manifestations in our world."[Bishop Spong]
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The Daily Hope from Rick Warren from The Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States "Seven Ways to Be Merciful" by Rick Warren — Thursday, October 29, 2015

The Daily Hope from Rick Warren from The Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States "Seven Ways to Be Merciful" by Rick Warren — Thursday, October 29, 2015
CURRENT TEACHING SERIES
“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NLT, second edition)
In yesterday’s devotional, we talked about seven facets of mercy. Today, I want you to consider some personal application questions for each of the aspects. I want to challenge you to commit an act of premeditated mercy in each of these categories this week.
Wait. Isn’t there a tension between mercy and personal responsibility? Yes, there is. But I have personally decided that if I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of being too gracious, too merciful, and too forgiving. You can go overboard on mercy — just look at what Jesus did on the cross.
So, how will you be merciful?
Be patient with people’s quirks. Who is that person in your life who has irritating quirks? How can you practice patience with that person this week?
Help anyone around you who is hurting. Who around you is obviously hurting that you can help this week? If you can’t think of anybody, then you’re not paying attention. Look closer!
Give people a second chance. Who do you need to give a second chance to? How can you show that person mercy and compassion this week?
Do good to those who hurt you. Maybe you’re suffering from an old wound that you have not been able to let go of. You need to forgive and then turn it around for good. Who is that person in your life? Will you make a phone call or a visit this week?
Be kind to those who offend you. Who offends you? Maybe it’s a politician or a comedian that you can pray for. Maybe it’s a Facebook friend who has different views and says some pretty offensive things. How can you be intentional about showing kindness to that person this week?
Build bridges of love to the unpopular. Who is the first person who comes to mind when you think of an outcast? Who spends their lunch breaks eating alone or doesn’t seem to have any friends at soccer games? What specific thing will you do this week to bridge the gap between you and that person with love?
Value relationships over rules. Who is an unbeliever you could invite over for dinner in the next few weeks? Will you then step up and invite that person to church? This is your ministry of mercy.
Pray this prayer today: “Heavenly Father, your Word convicts me. I want your blessing in my life, and I want to be a merciful person. As I look at these seven things, I think of shortcomings and weaknesses in my own life. I pray that rather than just hearing the Word, I would do something about it. Give me the courage to be merciful. Give me the strength this week to step out in faith and do radical, premeditated acts of mercy that point others to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living at The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 29 October 2015 - "Destruction or Blessings?" Scripture: Numbers 23:1-12

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living at The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 29 October 2015 - "Destruction or Blessings?" Scripture: Numbers 23:1-12
RG AUDIO 102915

Numbers 23:1 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams here.” 2 Balak did as Bil‘am said; then Balak and Bil‘am offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Bil‘am said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering while I go off; maybe Adonai will come and meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you.” He went off to a bare hill. 4 God met Bil‘am, who said to him, “I prepared the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.” 5 Then Adonai put a word in Bil‘am’s mouth and said, “Go on back to Balak, and speak as I tell you.” 6 He went back to him, and there, standing by his burnt offering, he with all the princes of Mo’av, 7 he made his pronouncement:
“Balak, the king of Mo’av,
brings me from Aram, from the eastern hills, saying,
‘Come, curse Ya‘akov for me;
come and denounce Isra’el.’
8 “How am I to curse
those whom God has not cursed?
How am I to denounce
those whom Adonai has not denounced?
9 “From the top of the rocks I see them,
from the hills I behold them —
yes, a people that will dwell alone
and not think itself one of the nations.
10 “Who has counted the dust of Ya‘akov
or numbered the ashes of Isra’el?
May I die as the righteous die!
May my end be like theirs!”
11 Balak said to Bil‘am, “What have you done to me?! To curse my enemies is why I brought you; and, here, you have totally blessed them!” 12 He answered, “Mustn’t I take care to say just what Adonai puts in my mouth?”
"Destruction or Blessings?" by Author: Jeremy Scott
Balaam’s response to King Balak’s request is profound: “How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:8a). How logical! Of course, to King Balak, it might not have seemed logical at all. Balak was only concerned about getting what he wanted, and who can blame him? Conventional thinking knows that the job of any leader is to take care of those whom he or she leads. However, when we’re talking about God, conventional thinking does not apply.
When God is ready to act or speak in any way, we must get in line with or out of the way of God. To this point in the story, we’ve seen God change His message, speak through animals, and reject rightfully-formed acts of worship; just because Balaam sacrificed properly did not mean that God would be swayed to Balak’s desires. Despite all of this activity, God had a long-standing plan for Israel, and Balak was standing in the way.
If only Balak had fallen in line with God’s plans, perhaps the destruction of Moab could have been avoided. Maybe there could have been blessings yet for Balak and the Moabites! When we fall in line with God’s plan, even when it takes time, in the end, blessings abound.
"Count Your Blessings" by Johnson Oatman (1897)

1. When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
4. So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 
Thought for the Day:

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit on your descendants,
my blessing on your offspring." Isaiah 44:3
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Saint Martin.
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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Family of Faith" for Thursday, October 29, 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Family of Faith" for Thursday, October 29, 2015

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.[Ephesians 2:19-20]
Long ago, when our three children were young, we were returning from a two-week vacation to the West. The Lord had given us safe travel, and we had had a wonderful time. Understandably, we were sorry to see it all end. Maybe that's why, rather than pushing and driving the last 150-miles we stopped and stayed at a Holiday Inn... with a swimming pool.
As Pam and I watched our children splash away, we found ourselves talking with another couple, another couple who was also returning home. Both those parents spoke of short tempers, continuous arguments, ongoing complaints, and how glad they were to get back. Pam asked how long they had been on the road. With a heavy sigh, they told us: "We have been gone from home three days."
How sad. A loving, caring and supportive family is one of the best gifts the Lord has given us.
This is why I was surprised to hear about what happened to Yuma Hasegawa on October 4, 2015, when he turned 20. That day, Hasegawa received a beautifully wrapped envelope from his parents. Inside was a gift, a letter entitled, "Notice of Expiration of Child-Rearing Services."
Reading on, Hasegawa's parents encouraged him to be a good citizen like they were. That meant he should pay into his retirement account, not drive while intoxicated, discuss his future wife with them, and fork up $168 a month for rent. He was also informed that if he came to them for a loan, he would have to pay them interest. They concluded, "Please enjoy your life as an adult."
I'm pretty sure that Pam and I have not given such a letter to our children.
I'm absolutely sure that the Triune God has never given such a note to humanity.
Now I say that most seriously. You see, the Lord could have taken a look at His sinful, disobedient children and written them off. He could have said, "Look, you folks want to be independent; you want to live your lives and eternity without Me? Great! You go ahead. Yes, you go ahead, but I'm pretty sure you're not going to like it."
Yes, the Lord could have written us off and walked away. But He didn't.
Instead, He turned to Adam and Eve and said, "You know, in spite of what you've done here, I'm going to send My Son to be your Savior."
As the centuries passed, our Heavenly Father filled in more of the details on what this Savior would do and how He would be treated. In fact, He became quite specific, even telling us where He would be born and many of the details about how He would be rejected and murdered.
He also let us know that His Son, having carried our sins and having fulfilled the Law, would conquer death so that all who believe on Him might be saved.
In other words, they would once again be adopted into His family of faith.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that Your love is greater than my sin. For Your Son, my Savior, I give thanks and in His Name I offer up this prayer. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:

Jeremiah 23:1 “Oh no! The shepherds are destroying and scattering the sheep in my pasture!” says Adonai. 2 Therefore this is what Adonai, the God of Isra’el, says against the shepherds who shepherd my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away and not taken care of them. So I will ‘take care of’ you because of your evil deeds,” says Adonai. 3 “I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. 4 I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing,” says Adonai.

5 “The days are coming,” says Adonai
when I will raise a righteous Branch for David.
He will reign as king and succeed,
he will do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Y’hudah will be saved,
Isra’el will live in safety,
and the name given to him will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our righteousness].
7 “Therefore,” says Adonai, “the day will come when people no longer swear, ‘As Adonai lives, who brought the people of Isra’el out of the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As Adonai lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Isra’el up from the land to the north’ and from all the countries where I drove them. Then they will live in their own land.”
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart within me is broken,
all my bones are shaking;
I am like a drunk,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of Adonai,
because of his holy words.
10 For the land is full of adulterers;
because of a curse the land is in mourning —
the desert pastures have dried up.
Their course is evil, their power misused.
11 “Both prophet and cohen are godless;
In my own house I find their wickedness,” says Adonai.
12 “Therefore their way will be slippery for them;
they will be driven into darkness and fall there.
For I will bring disaster upon them,
their year of punishment,” says Adonai.
13 “I have seen inappropriate conduct
in the prophets of Shomron —
they prophesied by Ba‘al
and led my people Isra’el astray.
14 But in the prophets of Yerushalayim
I have seen a horrible thing —
they commit adultery, live in lies,
so encouraging evildoers
that none returns from his sin.
For me they have all become like S’dom,
its inhabitants like ‘Amora.”
15 Therefore, this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says concerning the prophets:
“I will feed them bitter wormwood
and make them drink poisonous water,
for ungodliness has spread through all the land
from the prophets of Yerushalayim.”
16 Adonai-Tzva’ot says:
“Don’t listen to the words of the prophets
who are prophesying to you.
They are making you act foolishly,
telling you visions from their own minds
and not from the mouth of Adonai.
17 They keep reassuring those who despise me,
‘Adonai says you will be safe and secure,’
and saying to all living by their own stubborn hearts,
‘Nothing bad will happen to you.’
18 But which of them has been present at the council
of Adonai to see and hear his word?
Who has paid attention to
his word enough to hear it?”
19 Look! The storm of Adonai,
bursting out in fury,
a whirling storm, whirling down
upon the heads of the wicked!
20 Adonai’s anger will not abate
till he fully accomplishes the purpose in his heart.
In the acharit-hayamim,
you will understand everything.
21 “I did not send these prophets; yet they ran.
I did not speak to them; yet they prophesied.
22 If they have been present at my council,
they should let my people hear my words
and turn them from their evil way
and the evil of their actions.
23 Am I God only when near,” asks Adonai,
“and not when far away?
24 Can anyone hide in a place so secret
that I won’t see him?” asks Adonai.
Adonai says, “Do I not
fill heaven and earth?
25 “I have heard what these prophets prophesying lies in my name are saying: ‘I’ve had a dream! I’ve had a dream!’ 26 How long will this go on? Is [my word] in the hearts of prophets who are prophesying lies, who are prophesying the deceit of their own minds? 27 With their dreams that they keep telling each other, they hope to cause my people to forget my name; just as their ancestors forgot my name when they worshipped Ba‘al.
28 “If a prophet has a dream,
let him tell it as a dream.
But someone who has my word
should speak my word faithfully.
What do chaff and wheat
have in common?” asks Adonai.
29 “Isn’t my word like fire,” asks Adonai,
“like a hammer shattering rocks?
30 So, I am against the prophets,” says Adonai,
“who steal my words from each other.
31 Yes, I am against the prophets,” says Adonai,
“who speak their own words, then add, ‘He says.’
32 “I am against those who concoct prophecies out of fake dreams,” says Adonai. “They tell them, and by their lies and arrogance they lead my people astray. I didn’t send them, I didn’t commission them, and they don’t do this people any good at all,” says Adonai.
33 “When [someone from] this people, a prophet or a cohen asks you, ‘What is the burden of Adonai?’ you are to answer them, ‘What burden? I am throwing you off,’ says Adonai. 34 As for a prophet, cohen or [someone else from] this people who speaks about ‘the burden of Adonai,’ I will punish him and his household.”
35 So, when you speak with your neighbor or brother, ask, “What answer has Adonai given?” or “What has Adonai said?” 36 Don’t use the expression, “burden of Adonai” any more; for every person’s own word will be his burden. Must you twist the words of the living God, of Adonai-Tzva’ot, our God? 37 So, when speaking to a prophet, ask, “What answer has Adonai given you?” or “What did Adonai say?” 38 But if you talk about “the burden of Adonai,” then here is what Adonai says: “Because you use this expression, ‘the burden of Adonai,’ after I have already sent you the order not to say, ‘the burden of Adonai,’ 39 I will lift you up, burden that you are, and throw you off, away from my presence — you and the city I gave you and your ancestors. 40 Then I will subject you to everlasting disgrace — eternal, unforgettable shame.”
24:1 It was after N’vukhadretzar king of Bavel had carried Y’khanyahu the son of Y’hoyakim, king of Y’hudah, along with the leaders of Y’hudah, the artisans and the skilled workers into exile from Yerushalayim and brought them to Bavel, that Adonai gave me a vision. There, in front of the temple of Adonai, two baskets of figs were placed. 2 One of the baskets had in it very good figs, like those that ripen first; while the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they were inedible. 3 Then Adonai asked me, “Yirmeyahu, what do you see?” I answered, “Figs — the good figs are very good; but the bad ones are very bad, so bad they are inedible.” 4 The word of Adonai came to me: 5 “Here is what Adonai the God of Isra’el says: ‘I will regard the exiles from Y’hudah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Kasdim, as good, just as I do these good figs.
6 “‘I will look after them for their good,
I will bring them back to this land;
I will build them up and not tear them down,
plant them and not pull them up.
7 I will give them a heart to know me
that I am Adonai.
They will be my people,
and I will be their God;
for they will return to me
with all their heart.’
8 “But concerning the bad figs that are so bad as to be inedible, Adonai says: ‘I will make Tzidkiyahu the king of Y’hudah and his leaders resemble them, likewise the rest of Yerushalayim remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. 9 Everywhere I drive them I will make them an object of horror, repulsive to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, a byword, a laughingstock and a curse; 10 and I will send sword, famine and plague among them until they have disappeared from the land I gave them and their ancestors.’”
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; 2 for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn’t do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust. 3 For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest.
It is just as he said,
“And in my anger, I swore
that they would not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11]
He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe. 4 For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day,
“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”[Hebrews 4:4 Genesis 2:2]
5 And once more, our present text says,
“They will not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:5 Psalm 95:11]
6 Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, 7 he again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given,
“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts.”[Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7–8]
8 For if Y’hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another “day.”
9 So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God’s people. 10 For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.
12 See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13 Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great cohen gadol who has passed through to the highest heaven, Yeshua, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we acknowledge as true. 15 For we do not have a cohen gadol unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin. 16 Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
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