3twelves

 Psalm 36

1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
    They have no fear of God at all.
2 In their blind conceit,
    they cannot see how wicked they really are.
3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.
    They refuse to act wisely or do good.
4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.
    Their actions are never good.
    They make no attempt to turn from evil.

5 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
7     How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
    in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
    letting them drink from your river of delights.
9 For you are the fountain of life,
    the light by which we see.

10 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;
    give justice to those with honest hearts.

all there is to it

 John 1 

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

threefour

 

Psalm 34

(A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.)

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
    for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
    but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
    his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
    he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
    He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
    not one of them is broken!

21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
    No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

threethree

 

Psalm 33

1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
    it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
    make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
    play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
    the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

6 The Lord merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.

10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
    and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
    his intentions can never be shaken.

12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
    whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.

13 The Lord looks down from heaven
    and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
    all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
    so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
    nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
    for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
    those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
    and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord.
    He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
    for our hope is in you alone.

similarities?

 Who & what does this description remind you of?

This is Paul writing to his adopted son, Timothy, in his last letter to Timothy...

2 Timothy 3 

1 You should know this, Timothy, 

that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 

2 For people will love only themselves 

and their money. 

They will be boastful and proud, 

scoffing at God, 

disobedient to their parents, 

and ungrateful. 

They will consider nothing sacred. 

3 They will be unloving 

and unforgiving; 

they will slander others 

and have no self-control. 

They will be cruel 

and hate what is good. 

4 They will betray their friends, 

be reckless, 

be puffed up with pride, 

and love pleasure 

rather than God. 

5 They will act religious, 

but they will reject the power that could make them godly. 

Stay away from people like that!

hmmmmmmmm...

instructions

 This is Paul writing to his adopted son, Timothy, in Paul's second & last letter to his beloved son...

2 Timothy 2

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, 

and some are made of wood and clay. 

The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, 

and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 

21 If you keep yourself pure, 

you will be a special utensil for honorable use. 

Your life will be clean, 

and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. 

Instead, pursue righteous living, 

faithfulness, 

love, 

and peace. 

Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

the plan

 2 Timothy 1 

9 For God saved us 

and called us to live a holy life. 

He did this, 

not because we deserved it, 

but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time;

to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. 

He broke the power of death 

and illuminated the way to life and immortality 

through the Good News.

a word for the rich

 Maybe we should take Paul's advice & share these 2 verses with any rich people we know?

btw, most of the world considers all Americans to be rich...

1 Timothy 6

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud 

and not to trust in their money, 

which is so unreliable. 

Their trust should be in God, 

who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 

18 Tell them to use their money to do good. 

They should be rich in good works 

and generous to those in need, 

always being ready to share with others. 

19 By doing this 

they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future 

so that they may experience true life.

faith as...

 Luke 18

15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. 

But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, 

“Let the children come to me. 

Don’t stop them! 

For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 

17 I tell you the truth, 

anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

pstwoseven

 Psalm 27 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
    Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
    Do not reject your servant in anger.
    You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
    O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
    For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
    with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Hmmmmmmmm...

 1 Timothy 3 

1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 

2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. 

He must exercise self-control, 

live wisely, 

and have a good reputation. 

He must enjoy having guests in his home, 

and he must be able to teach. 

3 He must not be a heavy drinker 

or be violent. 

He must be gentle, 

not quarrelsome, 

and not love money. 

4 He must manage his own family well, 

having children who respect and obey him. 

5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, 

how can he take care of God’s church?

6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 

7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. 

They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 

9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed 

and must live with a clear conscience. 

10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. 

If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, their wives must be respected 

and must not slander others. 

They must exercise self-control 

and be faithful in everything they do.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, 

and he must manage his children and household well. 

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others 

and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

notorious

Luke 15 

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 

2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain 

that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

The question here is simple...

We claim to be followers of Jesus...

Is there so much of His likeness in us that the "notorious sinners" of today want to hang out around us?

Do we possess in the quality of our lives such a beauty & acceptance that anyone, not just "notorious sinners", want to be around us?

Or, are we so judgmental, or "holy", or closed minded, or narrow minded, or any number of other unChristlike qualities, that we just can't allow ourselves to associate with "people like that"?

There was an innate quality about Jesus that made people feel drawn to Him.

Do we, as His followers, a people who claim to "have the mind of Christ" innately display a quality that people who do not follow Jesus, or reject the who God thing, seek to be around us?

I think we all know the answers to these questions.

In our present paradigm it is not socially acceptable for us to hang with unacceptable people.

They might "hurt our witness" or "our friends wouldn't approve" or we might "get involved with someone or something we'll later regret."

Where would any of us be if the people who influenced our lives had felt the way we do when we were not followers of Jesus?

true humility

 Luke 14

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 

8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. 

What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 

9 The host will come and say, 

‘Give this person your seat.’ 

Then you will be embarrassed, 

and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

reassurance

 

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.