A SPECIAL BLESSING FOR TODAY

I sit here aghast at each fresh approach that is encroached upon me with what is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as to how I should believe in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What is even more alarming is the fact that taking what I perceive to be untruths would in different circumstances give me rise to leave the entire business of God alone.

How thankful I am that my faith can carry me through even the darkest of hours. Realizing that in reality, it is the fact that I know that I know. That that which I do know inside is proof enough to me, but what I cannot prove to those whom are not cognizant to what I feel. How then do I explain my belief?

I look at three men in the Bible. Jesus, the Son of God. Peter one of the 12 disciples, and Saul who was converted on the road to Damascus. All three were teachers of the gospel. Peter walked with Jesus daily and was taught by Him. Jesus Himself after His death spoke to Saul. That would give you assurance that the three could be trusted to be truthful. Why then do not all their teachings line up the same? Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one Baptism....John 4:2 Tells us Jesus did not baptize anyone. Peter baptized in the Name of Jesus, Acts 2:38, but this was after Jesus death. Before the death of Jesus the disciples baptized for the repentance of sins. And along comes Saul, who is now Paul who tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:17 'For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.'

Do I write this to confuse you? Surely not, but to give you cause. If we founded a church on any of these principles, that church would be in good standing. Why then did our Lord not make it easier to understand? Certainly it is not confusion unless we make it such. Confusion comes from satan. Why Then?

Jesus told us Himself that He spoke in parables. Matthew 13:10-18...'has been given to you to know the mysteries...seeing the do not see...hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand....blessed are your eyes for they see...your ears for they hear... If you continue to read you will find that when asked to explain Matthew 13: 34-37 Jesus did in fact explain and then in verse 51 He asked 'Have you understood all these things?'

Jesus desires that all should know him. How much do we desire it? The more we walk with Him and seek Him, not becoming comfortable with a limited knowledge of Him, the more we shall grow in Him.

As Christians we cannot accept man at his word. We have to seek Jesus Himself. In such perilous times the only One we can trust is Jesus. As the men and woman of the Old and New Testament did by walking in the ways of the Lord. Before even the laws were wrote, the only way to know the Lord was to know Him.

It is a path that we can guide others toward, pointing them in the right direction. We pray for others and ask them to pray for us; walk with us, and stand with us. It is when we seek Him ourselves that we learn and grow the most. For you to know that you know it is a journey that is walked hand in hand with Jesus. He wants us to ask, He will explain.

God's blessings to each of you,
rECj

PURPOSE OF

The purpose of the columns for Monday and Tuesday is the injustice of words and thoughts of others. I am a caregiver to my ex husband. There are those amongst us who have said by words and implications that we have been living as man and wife. Now, you must understand, these people know and have known me for years. They will not accept the fact that I was sent here by God. They were not going to give care or help to his man. They have their own life's and families to deal with. No room for him. By knowing me as they do, they should remember that if I were living in sin as they call it, I would be the first to admit it. If it is worth my doing, it is certainly worth me admitting doing it. Something my Granny always said about those who did the accusing, "They must be guilty of the same sin. How else would they know so much about it?" Yes, these people profess to know God and His goodness. Have I been offended, falsely accused and judged? Yes to all three. But let's take a look at whose doorstep this fault should be laid upon.

MINE.

Although we live in a 3 bedroom place, he has his and I have mine, it really doesn't matter to the outside world or to other Christians. We are to "abstain from all appearance of evil," 1 Thessalonians 5:22. I have not done so. I know the truth, God knows the truth but the others don't and really, I think, don't want too.

A couple of these very same people will not believe what I say is happening in this household without verification from another. They do not live here, visit only occasionally, see and hear only what they want to and it is always his side that is belived and upheld. By their words and actions I have caught myself doubting that God really sent me up here. I know in my heart He did. I have been a stumbling block for these people and others that I may not even know of. No more.

I will no longer be "living in sin." God is moving me on out. I will be close enough that I will be able to check on him on a daily basis and see to his care from a distance. So, now the tongues will be wagging in another direction. So be it.

The whole point of this discussion is: if I was what we call a "young Christian" it is very possible that I could be destroyed and turn away from God forever.

I know the move here and from here is by God, from God and of God. I do know His voice. It has taken Him 11 months to make this move possible. With God's help, understanding and most important His love, I will overcome the hurt that has been bestowed upon me. I will continue to witness and do my best to live for Him and by His words. My best will not be up to others standards but they will be for God. I also know one other lesson learned from this experience, I will sure be careful how I look and what I say about others and their doings.

We must search the Scriptures. And proving all things must be to hold fast that which is good. We should abstain from sin, whatever looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it.

The pain is great, but the joy given so freely by God is greater.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

OFFEND THY BROTHER

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Nothing that God has made is unclean of itself. It is how we use what He has made that is the problem. We cannot edify one another, while quarreling and trying to set ourselves up to be such good and wonderful children of God. We are destroying those around us and may cause that person to stumble and fall away from the Lord. Is that our duty of service to God? No, I don't think so. By our actions of false accusations and by giving in to the lusts of our flesh we are showing the world that we are not of God.

We all cry out for peace around us. Do we follow that which makes for peace? Such as meekness, humility, self-denial, and love? Most of us aren't capable of carrying out these four reasons. We use love as a way to hurt others. We can't stop tongues from speaking evil, but we must not give them any reasons. The good we do often comes to be spoken of in an evil manner because we use lawful things in an uncharitable and selfish manner. We are to love, show charity and as much as possible be at peace with our brothers. For us it is the joy of the Holy Ghost who resides in our hearts which gives us faith and courage to overcome. God is most pleased with those who are most pleased with Him. We serve God best when thinking only good of our brothers.

Finally, let us remember these three directions in this respect: First, to receive the weak, but not for the discussion of questions that have to be settled; second, not to judge our brother, since he is Christ's servant, not ours; and every one must give account of himself to God; third, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; to walk in the spirit of love, and, if we are in a higher state, to shew it by receiving one another, as Christ has received us, to the glory of God, which eclipses man and his petty superiority, and which kindles charity and makes it ardent, earnest in seeking the good of others-taking us so out of self, and beyond little things, that we are able to adapt ourselves to others, where the will of God and His glory are not in question.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Commentaries from http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=drby&b=45&c=14

Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Just a few of the 50 scriptures on offend(ed).

FALSE ACCUSATIONS

Today and probably tomorrow we are going to be talking about a subject that is really hurting my heart.
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

False(ly) is mentioned 87 times, including the 5 listed above, in the Bible.

It is the heart that is desperately wicked for there is no sin in word or deed, which was not first in the heart. Thousands of instances of disobedience in thought, word, and deed, are marked against them in the book of God. It is required of us in following Christ, that we duly attend his ordinances, strictly follow his pattern, and cheerfully submit to his disposals; and this from love to him, and in dependence on him. Now the Scriptures were fulfilled, which said, False witnesses are risen up against me. Christ was accused, that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we suffer thus, let us remember we cannot expect to fare better than our Master.

By false accusations, we use the actions and misdeeds of others to cover a multitude of our own sins. How easy it is to look beyond ourselves, to only see what we want to see. To be so quick to speak falsehoods against those around us. The second we realize that what we are doing we should, as Paul did after denying Christ, is to fall on our faces and repent with all bitterness and refrain from continuing on in the paths of sinfulness.

Let us all distrust our own hearts, and rely wholly on the Lord.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

LYDIA OF THYATIRA

LYDIA

The first European convert of St. Paul, and afterward his hostess during his first stay at Philippi. (Acts 18:14,15) She was a Jewish proselyte at the time of the apostle's coming; and it was at the Jewish Sabbath-worship by the side of a stream ver 13, that the preaching of the gospel reached her heart. Her native place was Thyatira, in the province of Asia. ver. 14; (Revelation 2:18) Thyatira was famous for its dyeing works; and Lydia wars connected with this trade, as a seller either of dye or of dyed goods. We infer that she was a person of considerable wealth.

A woman of Thyatira, a "seller of purple," who dwelt in Philippi (Acts 16:14,15). She was not a Jewess but a proselyte. The Lord opened her heart as she heard the gospel from the lips of Paul (Acts 16:13). She thus became the first in Europe who embraced Christianity. She was a person apparently of considerable wealth, for she could afford to give a home to Paul and his companions.

Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's & Smith's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

LOIS

“Lois” means agreeable

The grandmother of Timothy, and doubtless the mother of his mother, Eunice. (2 Timothy 1:5) It seems likely that Lois had resided long at Lystra; and almost certain that from her, as well as from Eunice, Timothy obtained his intimate knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:15) (A.D. before 64.)

The promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus, is the leading subject of ministers who are employed according to the will of God. The blessings here named, are the best we can ask for our beloved friends, that they may have peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Whatever good we do, God must have the glory. True believers have in every age the same religion as to substance. Their faith is unfeigned; it will stand the trial, and it dwells in them as a living principle. Thus pious women may take encouragement from the success of Lois and Eunice with Timothy, who proved so excellent and useful a minister. Some of the most worthy and valuable ministers the church of Christ has been favoured with, have had to bless God for early religious impressions made upon their minds by the teaching of their mothers or other female relatives.

Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God, 2 Peter 1:21. It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is of use to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case. Oh that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them! then shall we find benefit, and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth; and the greatest kindness we can do to children, is to make them early to know the Bible.

God's blessing to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's & Smith's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

HULDAH

Huldah means weasel

A prophetess, whose husband, Shallum, was keeper of the wardrobe in the time of King Josiah. It was to her that Josiah had recourse, when Hilkiah found a book of the law, to procure an authoritative opinion on it. (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28) (B.C. 623.)

She resided in that part of Jerusalem called the Mishneh (A.V., "the college;" R.V., "the second quarter"), supposed by some to be the suburb between the inner and the outer wall, the second or lower city, Akra. Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4) are the only others who bear the title of "prophetess," for the word in Isaiah 8:3 means only the prophet's wife.

The book of the law is read before the king. Those best honour their Bibles, who study them; daily feed on that bread, and walk by that light. Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? Also, what we may expect, and must provide for. Those who are truly apprehensive of the weight of God's wrath, cannot but be very anxious how they may be saved. Huldah let Josiah know what judgments God had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. The generality of the people were hardened, and their hearts unhumbled, but Josiah's heart was tender. This is tenderness of heart, and thus he humbled himself before the Lord. Those who most fear God's wrath, are least likely to feel it. Though Josiah was mortally wounded in battle, yet he died in peace with God, and went to glory. Whatever such persons suffer or witness, they are gathered to the grave in peace, and shall enter into the rest which remaineth for the people of God.

As the years of infancy cannot be useful to our fellow-creatures, our earliest youth should be dedicated to God, that we may not waste any of the remaining short space of life. Happy and wise are those who seek the Lord and prepare for usefulness at an early age, when others are pursuing sinful pleasures, contracting bad habits, and forming ruinous connexions. Who can express the anguish prevented by early piety, and its blessed effects? Diligent self-examination and watchfulness will convince us of the deceitfulness and wickedness of our own hearts, and the sinfulness of our lives. We are here encouraged to humble ourselves before God, and to seek unto him, as Josiah did. And believers are here taught, not to fear death, but to welcome it, when it takes them away from the evil to come. Nothing hastens the ruin of a people, nor ripens them for it, more than their disregard of the attempts made for their reformation. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. The current and tide of affections only turns at the command of Him who raises up those that are dead in trespasses and sins. We behold peculiar loveliness, in the grace the Lord bestows on those, who in tender years seek to know and to love the Saviour. Hath Jesus, the Day-spring from on high, visited you? Can you trace your knowledge of this light and life of man, like Josiah, from your youth? Oh the unspeakable happiness of becoming acquainted with Jesus from our earliest years!

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's/Smith's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

THANKSGIVING

This is the day the world has set aside for a day of Thanksgiving. A day used for family and friends to get together to eat, drink and be merry. But as Christians shouldn't every day be one of Thanksgiving?

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

I Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it

ESTHER

ESTHER, means a star

The queen of Ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. She was a Jewess named Hadas'sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known (Esther 2:7). Esther was a beautiful Jewish maiden. It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star. She was the daughter of Abihail, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Her family did not avail themselves of the permission granted by Cyrus to the exiles to return to Jerusalem; and she, being an orphan, resided with her cousin Mordecai (brought up by), who held some office in the household of the Persian king at "Shushan in the palace." Ahasuerus having divorced Vashti, chose Esther to be his wife. Soon after this he gave Haman the Agagite, his prime minister, power and authority to kill and extirpate all the Jews throughout the Persian empire. By the interposition of Esther this terrible catastrophe was averted. Haman was hanged on the gallows he had intended for Mordecai (Esther 7); and the Jews established an annual feast, the feast of Purim, in memory of their wonderful deliverance. This took place about fifty-two years after the Return, the year of the great battles of Plataea and Mycale (B.C. 479).

Esther appears in the Bible as a "woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution, combined with resolution; a dutiful daughter to her adopted father, docile and obedient to his counsels, and anxious to share the king's favour with him for the good of the Jewish people. There must have been a singular grace and charm in her aspect and manners, since 'she obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her' (Esther 2:15). That she was raised up as an instrument in the hand of God to avert the destruction of the Jewish people, and to afford them protection and forward their wealth and peace in their captivity, is also manifest from the Scripture account."

Vashti, means beautiful

The "queen" of Ahasuerus, who, for refusing to show herself to the king's guests at the royal banquet hall of Shushan the palace (Esther 1:10-12), when sent for by the king, was repudiated and deposed. (Esther 1:1) ... (B.C. 483). Many attempts have been made to identify her with historical personages; but it is far more probable that she was only one of the inferior wives, dignified with the title of queen, whose name has utterly disappeared from history.

Esther 1:1-22
The pride of Ahasuerus's heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. This was vain glory. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. But except grace prevails in the heart, self-exaltation and self-indulgence, in one form or another, will be the ruling principle. Yet none did compel; so that if any drank to excess, it was their own fault. This caution of a heathen prince, even when he would show his generosity, may shame many called Christians, who, under pretence of sending the health round, send sin round, and death with it. There is a woe to them that do so; let them read it, and tremble, Habakkuk 2:15,16.

Ahasuerus's feast ended in heaviness, by his own folly. Seasons of peculiar festivity often end in vexation. Superiors should be careful not to command what may reasonably be disobeyed. But when wine is in, men's reason departs from them. He that had rule over 127 provinces, had no rule over his own spirit. But whether the passion or the policy of the king was served by this decree, God's providence made way for Esther to the crown, and defeated Haman's wicked project, even before it had entered into his heart, and he arrived at his power (God's reason for allowing Vashti to disobey). Let us rejoice that the Lord reigns, and will overrule the madness or folly of mankind to promote his own glory, and the safety and happiness of his people.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Smith's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

DORCAS and ELISABETH

DORCAS, means a female antelope, or gazelle

A pious Christian widow at Joppa whom Peter restored to life (Acts 9:36-41). She was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by the Jews and Dorcas by the Greeks.

A female disciple of Joppa, "full of good works" among which that of making clothes for the poor is specifically mentioned. While St. Peter was at the neighboring town of Lydda, Tabitha, died; upon which the disciples at Joppa sent an urgent message to the apostle begging him to come to them without delay. Upon his arrival Peter found the deceased already prepared for burial, and laid out in an upper chamber, where she was surrounded by the recipients and the tokens of her charity after the example of our Saviour in the house of Jairus, (Matthew 9:25; Mark 5:40) "Peter put them all forth," prayed for the divine assistance, and then commanded Tabitha to arise. Comp. (Mark 5:41; Luke 8:51) She opened-her eyes and sat up, and then, assisted by the apostle, rose from her couch. This great miracle, as we are further told produced an extraordinary effect in Joppa, and was the occasion of many conversions there. (Acts 9:38-42) .

Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker. Christians who have not property to give in charity, may yet be able to do acts of charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the good of others. Those are certainly best praised whose own works praise them, whether the words of others do so or not. But such are ungrateful indeed, who have kindness shown them, and will not acknowledge it, by showing the kindness that is done them. While we live upon the fulness of Christ for our whole salvation, we should desire to be full of good works, for the honour of his name, and for the benefit of his saints. Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their lives. How mean then the cares of the numerous females who seek no distinction but outward decoration, and who waste their lives in the trifling pursuits of dress and vanity! Power went along with the word, and Dorcas came to life. Thus in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good of those who trust in him, and for the glory of his name.

ELISABETH, means God her oath

The mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5). She was a descendant of Aaron. She and her husband Zacharias "were both righteous before God" (Luke 1:5,13). Mary's visit to Elisabeth is described in 1:39-63. She was herself of the priestly family, and a relation, (Luke 1:36) of the mother of our Lord.
The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.


God's blessings to each of you,
Ljg

SOURCES: Kings James Bible, Smith's Bible Dictionary,

DEBORAH

DEBORAH, a bee.

1. Rebekah's nurse. She accompanied her mistress when she left her father's house in Padan-aram to become the wife of Isaac (Genesis 24:59). Many years afterwards she died at Bethel, and was buried under the "oak of weeping", Allon-bachuth (Genesis 35:8).

2. A prophetess, "wife" (woman?) of Lapidoth. Jabin, the king of Hazor, had for twenty years held Israel in degrading subjection. The spirit of patriotism seemed crushed out of the nation. In this emergency Deborah roused the people from their lethargy. Her fame spread far and wide. She became a "mother in Israel" (Judges 4:6,14; 5:7), and "the children of Israel came up to her for judgment" as she sat in her tent under the palm tree "between Ramah and Bethel." Preparations were everywhere made by her direction for the great effort to throw off the yoke of bondage. She summoned Barak from Kadesh to take the command of 10,000 men of Zebulun and Naphtali, and lead them to Mount Tabor on the plain of Esdraelon at its north-east end. With his aid she organized this army. She gave the signal for attack, and the Hebrew host rushed down impetuously upon the army of Jabin, which was commanded by Sisera, and gained a great and decisive victory. The Canaanitish army almost wholly perished. That was a great and ever-memorable day in Israel. In Judges 5 is given the grand triumphal ode, the "song of Deborah," which she wrote in grateful commemoration of that great deliverance. I have to include all the following. The way Matthew Henry explains it is just to beautiful not to share. Please read it and apply it to our world today. Judges 5:1-5, No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers; the events would be more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord must have all the praise. The will, the power, and the success were all from Him. Judges 5:6-11, Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows what brought this misery upon them. It was their idolatry. They chose new gods, with new names. But under all these images, Satan was worshipped. Deborah was a mother to Israel, by diligently promoting the salvation of their souls. She calls on those who shared the advantages of this great salvation, to offer up thanks to God for it. Let such as are restored, not only to their liberty as other Israelites, but to their rank, speak God's praises. This is the Lord's doing. In these acts of his, justice was executed on his enemies. In times of persecution, God's ordinances, the walls of salvation, whence the waters of life are drawn, are resorted to at the hazard of the lives of those who attend them. At all times Satan will endeavour to hinder the believer from drawing near to the throne of grace. Notice God's kindness to his trembling people. It is the glory of God to protect those who are most exposed, and to help the weakest. Let us notice the benefit we have from the public peace, the inhabitants of villages especially, and give God the praise. Judges 5:12-23, Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. Praising God is a work we should awake to, and awake ourselves unto. She notices who fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought against them. They were obstinate enemies to God's people, therefore the more dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that helped are here spoken of with honour; for though God is above all to be glorified, those who are employed must have their due praise, to encourage others. But the whole creation is at war with those to whom God is an enemy. The river of Kishon fought against their enemies. At most times it was shallow, yet now, probably by the great rain that fell, it was so swelled, and the stream so deep and strong, that those who attempted to pass, were drowned. Deborah's own soul fought against them. When the soul is employed in holy exercises, and heart-work is made of them, through the grace of God, the strength of our spiritual enemies will be trodden down, and will fall before us. She observes who kept away, and did not side with Israel, as might have been expected. Thus many are kept from doing their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of ease, and undue affection to their worldly business and advantage. Narrow, selfish spirits care not what becomes of God's church, so that they can but get, keep, and save money. All seek their own, Philippians 2:21. A little will serve those for a pretence to stay at home, who have no mind to engage in needful services, because there is difficulty and danger in them. But we cannot keep away from the contest between the Lord and his enemies; and if we do not actively endeavour to promote his cause in this wicked world, we shall fall under the curse against the workers of iniquity. Though He needs no human help, yet he is pleased to accept the services of those who improve their talents to advance his cause. He requires every man to do so. Judges 5:24-31, Jael had a special blessing. Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a low and narrow sphere, if they serve God according to the powers he has given them, shall not lose their reward. The mother of Sisera looked for his return, not in the least fearing his success. Let us take heed of indulging eager desires towards any temporal good, particularly toward that which cherishes vain-glory, for that was what she here doted on. What a picture does she present of an ungodly and sensual heart! How shameful and childish these wishes of an aged mother and her attendants for her son! And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when they are most puffed up. Deborah concludes with a prayer to God for the destruction of all his foes, and for the comfort of all his friends. Such shall be the honour, and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine for ever as the sun in the firmament.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

ABIGAIL, ABISHAG and ANNA

Yesterday we started our study on the women of the Bible. I thought I would put your mind at rest on one subject. Being there are a total of 190 women mentioned, (that's by my count), I am not sure that we will do them all at this time. But then again that is up to the leading of the Lord. So to start with let's start with the ones who's character we can admire. Enjoy.

ABIGAIL, means the father's joy

1. The beautiful wife of Nabal,(means a fool), a wealthy owner of goats and sheep in Carmel. (B.C. 1060.) When David's messengers were slighted by Nabal, Abigail supplies David and his followers with provisions, and succeeded in appeasing his anger. The days after this Nabal died, and David sent for Abigail and made her his wife. (1 Samuel 25:14) etc. By her he had a son, called Chileab in (2 Samuel 3:3) but Daniel in (1 Chronicles 3:1). Abigail was the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. (2 Samuel 17:25).

By a present Abigail atoned for Nabal's denial of David's request. Her behaviour was very submissive. Yielding pacifies great offences. She puts herself in the place of a penitent, and of a petitioner. She could not excuse her husband's conduct. She depends not upon her own reasonings, but on God's grace, to soften David, and expects that grace would work powerfully. She says that it was below him to take vengeance on so weak and despicable an enemy as Nabal, who, as he would do him no kindness, so he could do him no hurt. She foretells the glorious end of David's present troubles. God will preserve thy life; therefore it becomes not thee unjustly and unnecessarily to take away the lives of any, especially of the people of thy God and Saviour. Abigail keeps this argument for the last, as very powerful with so good a man; that the less he indulged his passion, the more he consulted his peace and the repose of his own conscience. Many have done that in a heat, which they have a thousand times wished undone again. The sweetness of revenge is soon turned into bitterness. When tempted to sin, we should consider how it will appear when we think upon it afterwards. Abigail believed that David would be king over Israel, and greatly esteemed his pious and excellent character. She deemed his proposal of marriage honourable, and advantageous to her, notwithstanding his present difficulties. With great humility, and doubtless agreeably to the customs of those times, she consented, being willing to share his trails. Thus those who join themselves to Christ, must be willing now to suffer with him, believing that hereafter they shall reign with him.

2. A sister of David, married to Jether the Ishmaelite , and mother, by him , of Amasa. (1 Chronicles 2:17) I(2 Samuel 17:25).

Abishag, father of ("given to") error

A young woman of Shunem, distinguished for her beauty. She was chosen to minister to David in his old age. She became his wife (1 Kings 1:3,4,15). After David's death Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to entreat the king to permit him to marry Abishag. Solomon suspected in this request an aspiration to the throne, and therefore caused him to be put to death (1 Kings 2:17-25).

Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon could not be safe while he lived.(Adonijah hated Solomon). Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by catching at a crown.

Anna, means grace

An aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a "prophetess," like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22). After seven years of married life her husband died, and during her long widowhood she daily attended the temple services. When she was eighty-four years old, she entered the temple at the moment when the aged Simeon uttered his memorable words of praise and thanks to God that he had fulfilled his ancient promise in sending his Son into the world (Luke 2:36,37).

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary

EVE

We have been on the men of the Bible for a while. How about we do a little study on the women. For those of you who don't know or have forgotten about Eve and because she was the first women created by God we will start with her.

Genesis 3:1-5

EVE: life; living

The name given by Adam to his wife (Genesis 3:20; 4:1). The Creator, by declaring that it was not good for man to be alone, and by creating for him a suitable companion, gave sanction to monogamy (1 archaic : the practice of marrying only once during a lifetime 2 : the state or custom of being married to one person at a time 3 : the condition or practice of having a single mate during a period of time).

The commentator Matthew Henry says: "This companion was taken from his side to signify that she was to be dear unto him as his own flesh. Not from his head, lest she should rule over him; nor from his feet, lest he should tyrannize over her; but from his side, to denote that species of equality which is to subsist in the marriage state." And again, " That wife that is of God's making by special grace, and of God's bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a helpmeet to her husband." Through the subtle temptation of the serpent she violated the commandment of God by taking of the forbidden fruit, which she gave also unto her husband (Genesis 3:1-24;(Timothy 2:13-15 Adam wasn't deceived. He knew full well what he was doing. Chose to disobey as did Eve); 2 Corinthians 11:3). When she gave birth to her first son, she said, "I have gotten a man from the Lord" (Genesis 4:1).

Satan assaulted our first parents, to draw them to sin, and the temptation proved fatal to them. The tempter was the devil, in the shape and likeness of a serpent. Satan's plan was to draw our first parents to sin, and so to separate between them and their God. Thus the devil was from the beginning a murderer, and the great mischief maker. The person tempted was the woman: it was Satan's policy to enter into talk with her when she was alone. There are many temptations to which being alone gives great advantage; but the communion of saints tends very much to their strength and safety. Satan took advantage by finding her near the forbidden tree. They that would not eat the forbidden fruit, must not come near the forbidden tree. Satan tempted Eve, that by her he might tempt Adam. It is his policy to send temptations by hands we do not suspect, and by those that have most influence upon us. Satan questioned whether it were a sin or not, to eat of this tree. He did not disclose his design at first, but he put a question which seemed innocent. Those who would be safe, need to be shy of talking with the tempter. He quoted the command wrong. He spoke in a taunting way. The devil, as he is a liar, so he is a scoffer from the beginning; and scoffers are his children. It is the craft of Satan to speak of the Divine law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin; it is our wisdom to keep up a firm belief of God's command, and a high respect for it. Has God said, Ye shall not lie, nor take his name in vain, nor be drunk, &c.? Yes, I am sure he has, and it is well said; and by his grace I will abide by it. It was Eve's weakness to enter into this talk with the serpent: she might have perceived by his question, that he had no good design, and should therefore have started back. Satan teaches men first to doubt, and then to deny. He promises advantage from their eating this fruit. He aims to make them discontented with their present state, as if it were not so good as it might be, and should be. No condition will of itself bring content, unless the mind be brought to it. He tempts them to seek preferment, as if they were fit to be gods. Satan ruined himself by desiring to be like the Most High, therefore he sought to infect our first parents with the same desire, that he might ruin them too. And still the devil draws people into his interest, by suggesting to them hard thoughts of God, and false hopes of advantage by sin. Let us, therefore, always think well of God as the best good, and think ill of sin as the worst evil: thus let us resist the devil, and he will flee from us.

Continued tomorrow. Well, I never said the stories of the women would be short. Maybe that is some of our problems today. Everything has to be made short, fast and easy. Where in the Bible does it say that as a child of God our lives are going to short, fast and easy? How many of us have suffered, yet, in the way He did or even those who followed after Him, His disciples, have? Our sufferings, such as they are, usually are of our own making. Jesus' wasn't. His sufferings were freely given for us. Ungrateful as we are a lot of the time. I can't help but wonder sometimes if He ever ask Himself, "Why did I go thru all that I did for them?" But then His love for us is our answer. OOPS, ramblin again.

I have included a couple of pages from the Jewish Dictionary (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=527&letter=E&search=EVE). Good reading. Has some really interesting thoughts, I think, that hopefully will lead us to search out the Word of God a little more. Please understand that I do not necessarily agree with all that is said in this Dictionary, but as a child of God, I am an adopted Jew as are all of us who belong to God.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry

MATTHEW 6:25-34

There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often insnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it. God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for us, who did that? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God. We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. We cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign ourselves to them. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world. The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts.

God's blessings to each of you
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Handbook

SERVING TWO MASTERS

MATTHEW 6:19-24


Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. Something the soul will have, which it looks upon as the best thing; in which it has pleasure and confidence above other things. Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them. There are treasures in heaven. It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it. It is happiness above and beyond the changes and chances of time, an inheritance incorruptible. The worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasonings and actions therefrom must be wrong. It is equally to be applied to false religion; that which is deemed light is thick darkness. This is an awful, but a common case; we should therefore carefully examine our leading principles by the word of God, with earnest prayer for the teaching of his Spirit. A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. God requires the whole heart, and will not share it with the world. When two masters oppose each other, no man can serve both. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Handbook

A LITTLE HUMOR

Brownies by David Kirkwood

Some years ago when I was a pastor, I walked into my church office after a Sunday morning service to find a sandwich bag on my desk containing three chocolate brownies. Some thoughtful and anonymous saint who knew my love for chocolate had placed them there, along with a piece of paper that had a short story written on it. I immediately sat down and began eating the first brownie as I read the following story:

Two teenagers asked their father if they could go the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the Internet, he denied their request. "Awe dad, why not?" they complained. "It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"

Dad replied: "Because that movie contains nudity and portrays immorality, which is something that God hates, as being normal and acceptable behavior."

"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film! It's based on a true story, and good triumphs over evil, and there are other redeeming themes like courage and self-sacrifice. Even the Christian movie review web sites say that!" "My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion."

The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, "Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."

About that time I began eating the second brownie from the sandwich bag and wondered if there was some connection to the brownies I was eating and the brownies in the story. I kept reading... The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies which he offered to his kids. They each took one. Then their father said, "Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much."

The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening.

"That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients.. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium vanilla and chocolate."

The brownies looked mouth-watering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech. "But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think." "Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"


"Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."

"Come on, dad, just tell us what that ingredient is."

"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients."

"Dad!" "Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is organic...dog poop." I immediately stopped chewing that second brownie and I spit it out into the waste basket by my desk. I continued reading, now fearful of the paragraphs that still remained. Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror.

"DAD! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog poop! We can't eat these brownies!" "Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!" "No, Dad...NEVER!"

"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies? We pray that God will not lead us unto temptation, so how can we in good conscience entertain ourselves with something that will imprint a sinful image in our minds that will lead us into temptation long after we first see it? I discarded what remained of the second brownie as well as the entire untouched third brownie. What had been irresistible a minute ago had become detestable. And only because of the very slim chance that what I was eating was slightly polluted. (Surely it wasn't...but I couldn't convince myself.)

What a good lesson about purity! Why do we tolerate any sin? On the day of the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to remove every bit of leaven from their homes. Sin is like leaven - a little bit leavens the whole lump (1 Cor. 5:6). Jesus, "our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7), and sin, don't mix.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCE: sent to me in an e mail

A NEW LOOK ON A TOUCHY SUBJECT

Today I am going to share with ya'll the parts of the preacher at my church sermon that I remember. The subject? TITHES! The favorite subject of many Baptist and Pentecostal preacher's. Of course these are the only types of preacher's I know anything about first hand.

It wasn't the usual type of "tithes" sermon. Believe me in my 63 years, I do know something about "tithe sermons." It was why we should and with most of us do bring our tithes and offerings into the store house of God. The scripture is Matthew 6:19-21. Where are our treasures stored? Are we more concerned with the money we have and can get down here? Can we take it with us? How many caskets are loaded down with earthly goods and money. How many caskets have you seen with u-hauls being towed behind them? Are we more concerned with what we can gain down here on earth and not that of Heaven. Colossians 3:2 tells us we are to "set our minds on things above. He also reminded us that our rewards and treasure are promised to us by God. A promise, not like so many of those made down here, that will not be BROKEN. He reminded us that should this great Nation of ours lose its economy we would be living in a 3rd world county.

Now this is the really interesting part of his sermon. Can there be an interesting part of a "tithe" sermon? Oh yes, this time there is. He reminded us of these two facts: (1) Jesus didn't start His preachin, teachin, and healin ministry until the age of 30. (2) Jesus died on the cross at age 33. Of that 3 year period Jesus spoke more on money than He did on Heaven. The preacher said he didn't know the number of times but he just knew it was true. Don't believe what Preacher Sweat said? Well, I looked it up and here are those numbers:
Heaven 653 TOTAL

money 284
treasure 66
treasures 77
offering 850
offerings 480
reward 213
rewards 26
_______________
1996 TOTAL

Yep, now you will have to admit that he knew what he was talking about. Jesus did talk more about money. Did I doubt what Preacher Sweat said? No not really, I just wanted to see the numbers for myself and now we all know.

Know something else? All of us, yes me too, need to ask God to forgive us for all the times we have said, "that preacher of ours just has to keep harping on "my" money. He always thinks he we aren't giving enough. After all I did work for it not him. Preacher so and so can just get his greedy little hands out of my pockets." After God forgives us it might be a real good idea to go to those preachers we have sat with and ask for their forgiveness as well. In my case, most of them are already in Heaven.

Who has His hands in our pockets?

God's blessings on each of you,
LJG

Chushan-rishathaim means blackness of iniquities

Chushan-rishathaim: Cush of double wickedness, or governor of two presidencies, the king of Mesopotamia who oppressed Israel in the generation immediately following Joshua (Judges 3:8). We learn from the Tell-el-Amarna tablets that Palestine had been invaded by the forces of Aram-naharaim (Mesopotamia) more than once, long before the Exodus, and that at the time they were written the king of Aram-naharaim was still intriguing in Canaan. It is mentioned among the countries which took part in the attack upon Egypt in the reign of Rameses III. (of the Twentieth Dynasty), but as its king is not one of the princes stated to have been conquered by the Pharaoh, it would seem that he did not actually enter Egypt. As the reign of Rameses III, corresponds with the Israelitish occupation of Canaan, it is probable that the Egyptian monuments refer to the oppression of the Israelites by Chushan-rishathaim. Canaan was still regarded as a province of Egypt, so that, in attacking it Chushan-rishathaim would have been considered to be attacking Egypt. Nothing further is known of this man.

Aram-naharaim: Aram of the two rivers, is Mesopotamia (as it is rendered in Genesis 24:10), the country enclosed between the Tigris on the east and the Euphrates on the west (Psalm 60); called also the "field of Aram" (Hosea 12:12, R.V.), the open country of Aram; in the Authorized Version, "country of Syria." Padan-aram was a portion of this country.

Padan-aram: the plain of Aram, or the plain of the highlands, (Genesis 25:20; 28:2,5-7; 31:18, etc.), commonly regarded as the district of Mesopotamia lying around Haran.
The word means high, or highlands, and as the name of a country denotes that elevated region extending from the northeast of Palestine to the Euphrates. It corresponded generally with the Syria and Mesopotamia of the Greeks and Romans. In Genesis 25:20; 31:20,24; Deuteronomy 26:5, the word "Syrian" is properly "Aramean." Damascus became at length the capital of the several smaller kingdoms comprehended under the designation "Aram" or "Syria."
Haran, "parched;" or probably from the Accadian charana, meaning "a road." A celebrated city of Western Asia, now Harran, where Abram remained, after he left Ur of the Chaldees, till his father Terah died (Genesis 11:31,32), when he continued his journey into the land of Canaan. It is called "Charran" in the LXX. and in Acts 7:2. It is called the "city of Nahor" (Genesis 24:10), and Jacob resided here with Laban (Genesis 30:43). It stood on the river Belik, an affluent of the Euphrates, about 70 miles above where it joins that river in Upper Mesopotamia or Padan-aram, and about 600 miles northwest of Ur in a direct line. It was on the caravan route between the east and west. It is afterwards mentioned among the towns taken by the king of Assyria (2 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 37:12). It was known to the Greeks and Romans under the name Carrhae.
MESOPOTAMIA, the fertile crescent

Civilization developed slowly in different parts of the world. People began to settle in areas with abundant natural resources. A section of the Middle East is called the Fertile Crescent. The Fertile Crescent is a rich food-growing area in a part of the world where most of the land is too dry for farming. The Fertile Crescent is a quarter-moon shaped region that extends from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.
Some of the best farmland of the Fertile Crescent is on a narrow strip of land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Greeks later called this area Mesopotamia, which means “between the rivers.” Many different civilizations developed in this small region. First came the Sumerians, who were replaced in turn by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Today this land is known as Iraq.

Mesopotamia: the country between the two rivers (Heb. Aram-naharaim; i.e., "Syria of the two rivers"), the name given by the Greeks and Romans to the region between the Euphrates and the Tigris (Genesis 24:10; Deuteronomy 23:4; Judges 3:8,10). In the Old Testament it is mentioned also under the name "Padan-aram;" i.e., the plain of Aram, or Syria (Genesis 25:20). The northern portion of this fertile plateau was the original home of the ancestors of the Hebrews (Genesis 11; Acts 7:2). From this region Isaac obtained his wife Rebecca (Genesis 24:10,15), and here also Jacob sojourned (Genesis 28:2-7) and obtained his wives, and here most of his sons were born (Genesis 35:26; 46:15). The petty, independent tribes of this region, each under its own prince, were warlike, and used chariots in battle. They maintained their independence till after the time of David, when they fell under the dominion of Assyria, and were absorbed into the empire (2 Kings 19:13).
God's blessings to each of you,

LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Dowling, Mike, "Mr. Dowling's Mesopotamia page," available from http://www.mrdowling.com/603mesopotamia.html; Internet; updated Thursday, August 3, 2006

CALEB

CALEB means dog; a crow, a basket; capable;

The son of Jephunneh (Numbers 13:6; 32:12; Joshua 14:6,14). He was one of those whom Moses sent to search the land in the second year after the Exodus. He was one of the family chiefs of the tribe of Judah. He and Joshua the son of Nun were the only two of the whole number who encouraged the people to go up and possess the land, and they alone were spared when a plague broke out in which the other ten spies perished (Numbers 13; 14). All the people that had been numbered, from twenty years old and upward, perished in the wilderness except these two. The last notice we have of Caleb is when (being then eighty-five years of age) he came to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, after the people had gained possession of the land, and reminded him of the promise Moses had made to him, by virtue of which he claimed a certain portion of the land of Kirjath-arba as his inheritance (Joshua 14:6-15; 15:13-15; 21:10-12; 1 Samuel 25:2,3; 30:14). He is called a "Kenezite" in Joshua 14:6,14. This may simply mean "son of Kenez" (Numbers 32:12).

The Bible records that, because of the testimony of the ten scouts, the Hebrews chose not to enter Canaan: for this disobedience, God caused them to wander in the desert for forty years before being allowed to enter Canaan and conquer it as their home. It is said that the only adult Hebrews allowed to survive these forty years and enter Canaan were Joshua and Caleb, as a reward for their faith in God. This story is recorded in the Book of Numbers.
Tradition places Caleb's tomb near that of Joshua who, according to Joshua 24:30, is buried in Timnat Serah ( also known as Timnath-heres). The similarly named Palestinian village of Kifl Hares, located northwest of Ariel in the Samarian region of the West Bank, now encircles both tombs.

Caleb was the father of Hur from Caleb's second wife, Ephrath ( 1 Chron. 2:19. Hur held up the arm of Moses so the battle could be won. Hur was the husband of Miriam, sister to Moses and Aaron.

Rahab married on of Caleb's sons, thus starting the house of David leading to the Birth of Jesus. Boaz, one of Rahab's sons married Ruth.

Although the son of Jephunneh, Caleb is also called "the Kenizzite" (Josh.14:6, 14; compare Judges 1:13), because Kenaz, the father of Othniel, was his stepfather; Othniel thus being in fact his half-brother.

The Jewish Dictionary, Rabbinical Literature, says Caleb is the same person as Asher (1 Chron. 4:5; 1 Chron. 2:24) "Ashhur," because his face became black from much fasting, and "father of Tekoa" because he fastened his heart on God, and in this faith he married the prophetess Miriam, whom, although she was neither fair nor healthy, he treated with fatherly love, appreciating her own piety and her relationship to such brothers as Moses and Aaron. (I don't find where Caleb and Miriam were married; only that she was married to Hur, Caleb's son. Therefore he would treat her with fatherly love).

1Ch 2:24
2:24 And after that Hezron was dead in {h} Calebephratah, then Abiah Hezron's wife bare him Ashur the {i} father of Tekoa.
(h) Which was a town named for the husband (Caleb) and wife (Ephratah), also called Bethlehem Ephratah.(i) Meaning, the chief and prince. (Historic Church Documents at Reformed.org )

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionary, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Answers.com

OTHNIEL

"Othniel" means the lion of God

Was the son of Kenaz and younger brother of Caleb (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; 3:9; 1 Chronicles 4:13) (B.C. 1460). The first mention of Othniel is on occasion of the taking of Kirjath-sepher, or Debir as it was afterward called. Caleb promised to give his daughter Achsah to whosoever should assault and take the city. Othniel won the prize for his bravery. The next mention of him in Judges 3:9 where he appears as the first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua, and the deliverer of his countrymen from the oppression of Chushahrishathaim (Judges 3:8-11).

Some thirty years after the death of Joshua, the Israelites fell under the subjection of Chushan-rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamina. He oppressed them for a full eight years, when they "cried" unto Jehovah, and Othniel was raised up to be their deliverer. He is the only judge mentioned that is connected with the tribe of Judah. Under him the land had rest for forty years.

KENAZ: means hunter

One of the sons of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. He became the chief of an Edomitish tribe (Genesis 36:11, 15, 42). Caleb's younger brother, and father of Othniel, (Joshua 15:17), whose family was of importance in Israel down to the time of David (1 Chronicles 27:15).

CALEB: For tomorrow

Kirjath-sepher, Kirjath-sannah, Kirjath-sepher, city of books, Joshua 15:15. The name of this town is an evidence that the Canaanites were acquainted with writing and books. "The town probably contained a noted school, or was the site of an oracle and the residence of some learned priest." The "books" were probably engraved stones or bricks. These cities were afterward called Debir. Debir: oracle town sanctuary. One of the eleven cities to the west of Hebron, in the highlands of Judah (Joshua 15:49; Judges 1:11-15). It was originally one of the towns of the Anakim (Joshua 15:15).

Achsah means ankle-chain, anklet

Caleb's only daughter (1 Chronicles 2:49). She was not satisfied with the portion her father gave her, and as she was proceeding toward her new home, she "lighted from off her ass" and said to him, "Give me a blessing (a dowry); for thou has given me a south land" (Judges 1:14-15), in the Negeb, outside the rich valley of Hebron, in the dry and barren land. "Give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs." Debir has been identified with the modern Edh-Dhaheriyeh, "the well on the ridge," to the south of Hebron.

Chushahrishathaim and Mesopotamia on Monday

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionary

BLESSING FROM GOD

God had commanded Israel to utterly destroy or drive out the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:2-4). If Israel had full obeyed this command, it would have saved them a lot of trouble.

Come to think about it about wouldn't we save ourselves a lot of trouble if we would just obey the word of God? Listen when He tells us to do what is right in His sight? You might be saying to yourself, "now come on God doesn't talk to us today." Oh yes He does, we just aren't listening. So let me share something with you.

For a year now I have been praying and saying that I would be leaving this house I am living in now by the first of the year. No, I don't mean going on home. I mean down here on earth. Well, Saturday my neighbor, sent by God, gave the answer to me. My rECj confirmed it as well. Well, I had to make sure that I was really listening to God and just not jumping off on my own, again. Let me tell you, yesterday morning my neighbor's husband came to my front door, with a food offering, which of course I accepted. I wanted to talk to him then about their double wide they have up for rent. Did I? Nope, sure didn't. It was like my jaws locked up. So, here I was putting the food on the stove to go with our supper, and I heard this little, calm voice say to me, "well I sent him to your front door. What more do you want?" Yep, you guessed it. I got on the computer to look up their telephone number. I will now be moving next month. The rent is just what I can afford to pay and there is no deposit. The neighbor is going to take care of the yard work for an additional $20.00 each time it is done.

If you know the Lord then He is a part of you and me. He knows what we need and want and He will give it to us when we ASK, SEEK and KNOCK. Of course sometime we do have to WAIT on Him to know when the time is right. Yes, I could have went ahead and done this on my own but let me tell you the rent would have sure enough been more that the $500.00 that I will be paying now and there would have been a deposit required. So by waiting on God and listening to His voice I am sure being blessed. Ya'll can have and do the same thing if ya'll want to, just by doing these 4 things, ASK, SEEK, KNOCK and WAIT. Try it.

One last thing and really the most important of all, my rECj needs all our prayers right now. She is having to go thru some really trying test right now to find her thorn in her side and get it fixed. Thank God for the healing that He is sending thru the doctors she will be seeing. Thank God that she will have little or no pain thru this trying time of her life. Why is she having to go thru this awful pain and battery of tests, you might be asking yourselves? Well, as bad as it is going to be on her precious self, she will be able to witness to others about God. We need to think about and pray for the person or persons that God is sending her to witness to. No course we don't know who they are but God does and that's all that matters.

Are you willing to listen to God and get rid of the trouble in your life?

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

Tomorrow back to the people, places and things in Judges.

JUDGES PART 3

Judges covers about two hundred years following the entry of Israel into Canaan. Iron had just been discovered. This strong metal revolutionized agriculture and warfare. The Hittites of Asia Minor first employed iron weapons about 1400 B C. They were making their impact all the way to Egypt by the time Joshua was pushing out of the desert into Canaan in the 13th century B C.

The message of Judges also stresses the theme that God raises up the weak to confound the strong. Gideon was the "least in his father's house" and his father's family was "least in all the tribes of Israel." The people were weak and unarmed, as in the case of Gideon's band. They used earthen pitchers, and lamps, the blood-curdling blast of trumpets--and their faith in God! With these they routed the enemy and seizing the weapons of the foe, they drove the Midianites, back into the desert. Another great lesson: no weapons can destroy the people that puts its faith in God--and all the weapons of war are useless unless God gives the victory. Faith in God is stronger than a thousand armies.

The final lesson is that chaos reigns whenever man is free to do what is right in his own eyes. Civilized life is impossible when every man has "his own way." It is an expression of the original sin which goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Only by obedience to the law and love of God can man ever find he happiness for which God made him!

Archaeological Notes:
Iron in Palestine. Only after Saul and David broke the power of the Philistines did iron come into use in Israel (II Samuel 12:31, I Chronicles 22:3, 29:7).

Canaanite Oppression (Judges 4:3). Israel's victory at Megiddo (Judges 5:19).
The Oriental Institute, excavating at Megiddo, found (1917), in the stratum of 12th century B C, indications of a tremendous fire. Underneath the floor of a palace were found abut 200 pieces of beautifully carved ivory and gold ornaments, one of which represents Canaanite king as receiving captives who were circumcised. This looks like evidence of a terrific defeat for the Canaanite's, and their antecedent oppression of Israel.

The Grain Pits.
In excavations, at Kiriath-seher, by the Xeniz Seminary and American School, under the direction Kyle and Albright (1926-1928), in the stratum belonging to the time of the Judges, many hidden grain pits were found, indicative of the insecurity of life and property.

Albright (1922-23), found, in the ruins of Gibeah, a layer of ashes, from a fire that occurred about 1200 B C. It could have been this fire (20:40).

Archaeological discoveries are evidences that the Book of Judges is real history.

More tomorrow.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Halley's Bible Handbook

JUDGES PART 2

Sorry I'm late this morning. Had a problem with the internet.


"40 YEARS" seems to have been a round number denoting a generation. Note how often "40" is used throughout the Bible; at the Flood it rained 40 days and nights; Moses fled at 40; was in Midian 40 years; was in the mount 40 days. Israel wandered 40 years. The spies were 40 days in Canaan, Elijah fasted 40 days. 40 days' respite was given to Nineveh. Jesus fasted 40 days and sojourned 40 days after resurrection.

The Hebrew Nation, after the death of Joshua, had no strong central government. They were a confederacy of twelve independent tribes, with no unifying force, except their God. The form of government in the days of the Judges is spoken of as the "Theocracy;*" that is, God himself was supposed to be the direct ruler of the nation. But the people did not take their God very seriously, and were continually falling away into Idolatry. Being in a state of anarchy, more or less, and harassed at times by civil war among themselves and surrounded by enemies who made attempt after attempt to exterminate them, the Hebrew Nation was very slow in it National Development, and did not become a great nation til it was organized into a Kingdom in the days of Samuel and David.

The book of Judges is the history of Israel during the government of the Judges, who were occasional delivers, raised up by God to rescue Israel from their oppressors, to reform the state of religion and to administer justice to the people. The state of God's people does not appear in this book so prosperous, nor their character so religious, as might have been expected; but there were many believers among them, and the tabernacle service was attended to. the history exemplifies the frequent warnings and predictions of Moses, and should have close attention. The whole book is full of important instruction.

The refrain running through the Book is every man did that which was right in his own eyes. They were ever and always falling away from God into the worship of idols. When they did this God delivered Israel into the hands of their oppressors. Then when Israel, in their suffering and distress, turned back, and cried to God, God had pity on Israel, and raised up Judges, who saved Israel from their enemies. As long as the Judge lived, the people served God. But when the Judge died, the people again played the harlot after idols.

Invariably, when they served God, they prospered, and when they served idols, they suffered. Israel's troubles were due directly to their disobedience. They did not keep themselves from idols. They did not exterminate the inhabitants of the land, as they had been commanded, and from time to time the struggle for mastery was renewed.

Look here now. Some people say that the Old Testament isn't important. I would have to object once again for these reasons: we have a tendency to do what is right in our own eyes, we are ever and always falling away from God in the worship of "I's" (meaning ourselves or by following someone not of God). Another reason we, today, do not prosper is because of our "disobedience." We have enemies today as well. We don't take the time to judge the fruits of others works, we don't take the time to separate ourselves from the ways of the world, and we certainly put "I" first, yes, even at times before God. Even as Israel would do in their time of trouble, we cry out to God in our suffering and distress and He is right there ready to forgive and help us once again. So, think about it for a few minutes, who is to blame when things go wrong in our lives? Nobody but ourselves. We are so busy blaming others for all that has gone wrong in our lives that we forget to look deep inside ourselves for the real reason.

Who puts the stumbling blocks in our paths? Who causes the trials and tribulations in our lives? Why are they put there? What do we do during these periods in our lives?

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Halley's Bible Handbook, Matthew Henry,

*government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

JUDGES

After reading Chapters 13-16 of Judges for the column on Samson, I just couldn't stop reading. It is another great and enjoyable Book. So for the next lil bit I am going to writing on the people, places and things in this Book.

Judges is so called because it contains the history of the deliverance and government of Israel by the men who bore the title of the "judges." The book of Ruth originally formed part of this book but about A.D. 450 it was separated from it and placed in the Hebrew scriptures immediately after the Song of Solomon.

The book contains,
1. An introduction, Judges 1-3:6, connecting it with the previous narrative in Joshua, as a "link in the chain of books."
2. The history of the thirteen judges, Judges 3:7-16:31, in the following order:
FIRST PERIOD, Judges 3:7-5:31, for 206 years
a. Servitude under Chushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia, 8 years
b. Othniel delivers Israel, rest: 40 years
c. Servitude under Elon of Moab: Ammon, Amalek, 18 years
d. Ehud's deliverance, rest: Shamgar, 80 years
e. Servitude under Jabin of Haor in Canann, 20 years
f. Deborah and Barak, 40 years
SECOND PERIOD, Judges 6:1-10:5, 95 years
a. Servitude under Midian, Amalek, and children of the east, 7 years
b. Gideon, 40 years
c. Amimelech, Gideon's son, reigns as king over Israel, 3 years
d. Tola, 23 years
e. Jair, 22 years
THIRD PERIOD, Judges 10:6-12:5, 49 years
a. Servitude under Ammonites with the Philistines, 18 years
b. Jephthah, 6 years
c. Ibzan, 7 years
d. Elon, 10 years
e. Abdon, 8 years
FOURTH PERIOD, Judges 13-16, 60 years
a. Servitude under Philistines, 40 years
b. Samson, 20 years
TOTAL: 410 years

Samson's exploits probably synchronize with the period immediately preceding the national repentance and reformation under Samuel (1 Samuel 7:2-6). After Samson came Eli, who was both high priest and judge. He directed the civil and religious affairs of the people for forty years, at the close of which the Philistines again invaded the land and oppressed it for twenty years. Samuel was raised up to deliver the people from this oppression, and he judged Israel for some twelve years, when the direction of affairs fell into the hands of Saul, who was anointed king. If Eli and Samuel are included, there were then fifteen judges. But the chronology of this whole period is uncertain.

3. The historic section of the book is followed by an appendix (Judges 17-21), which has no formal connection with that which goes before. It records (a) the conquest (Judges 17 & 18) of Laish by a portion of the tribe of Dan; and (b) the almost total extinction of the tribe of Benjamin by the other tribes, in consequence, of their assisting the men of Gibeah (Judges 19-21). This section properly belongs to the period only a few years after the death of Joshua. It shows the religious and moral degeneracy of the people.

The author of this book was most probably Samuel. Then internal evidence both of the first sixteen chapters and the appendix warrants this conclusion. It was probably composed during Saul's reign, or at the very beginning of David's The words in Judges 18:30 & 31, imply that it was written after the taking of the ark by the Philistines, and after it was set up at Nob (1 Samuel 21). In David's reign the ark was at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39).

More on Judges tomorrow.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary

SAMSON

"Samson" means like the sun

Son of Manoah, a man of the town of Zorah in the tribe of Dan, on the border of Judah (Joshua 15:33; 19:41 B.C. 1161). The miraculous circumstances of his birth are recorded in Judges 13; and the three following chapters are devoted to the history of his life and exploits. Samson takes his place in Scripture, 1, as a judge, and office which he filled for twenty years (Judges 15:20; 16:31), 2, as a Nazarite (Judges 13:5; 16:17) and 3 as one endowed with supernatural power by the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14).

As a judge his authority seems to have been limited to the district bordering upon the country of the Philistines. The divine inspiration which Samson shared with Othniel, Gideon and Jephthah assumed in him the unique form of vast personal strength, inseparably connected with observance of the vow as a Nazarite: "his strength was in his hair." He married a Philistine woman whom he had seen at Timnath. One day, on his way to that city, he was attacked by a lion, which he killed; and again passing that way he saw a swarm of bees in the carcass of the lion, and he ate of the honey, but still he told no one. He availed himself of this circumstance, and of the custom of proposing riddles at marriage feasts, to lay a snare for the Philistines. But Samson told the riddle to his wife and she told it to the men of the city, whereupon Samson slew thirty men of the city. Returning to his own house, he found his wife married to another, and was refused permission to see her. Samson revenged himself by taking 300 foxes or jackals and tying them together two by two by the tails, with a firebrand between every pair of tails, and so he let them loose into the standing corn of the Philistines, which was ready for harvest. The Philistines took vengeance by burning Samson's wife and her father; but he fell upon them in return,and smote them with a great slaughter," after which he took refuge on the top of the rock of Etam, in the territory of Judah. The Philistines gathered an army to revenge themselves when the men of Judah hastened to make peace by giving up Samson, who was bound with cords, these, however, he broke like burnt flax and finding a jawbone of an ass at hand, he slew with it a thousand of the Philistines. The supernatural character of this exploit was confirmed by the miraculous bursting out of a spring of water to revive the champion as he was ready to die of thirst.

This achievement raised Samson to the position of a judge, which he held for twenty years. After a time he began to fall into the temptations which addressed themselves to his strong animal nature; but he broke through every snare in which he was caught so long as he kept his Nazarite vow.

While he was visiting a harlot in Gaza, the Philistines shut the gates of the city, intending to kill him in the morning; but at midnight he went out and tore away the gates, with the posts and bar and carried them to the top of a hill looking toward Hebron.

Next he formed his fatal connection with Delilah, a woman who lived in the valley of Sorek. Thrice he suffered himself to be bound with green withes, with new ropes, but released himself until finally, wearied out with her importunity, he "told her all his heart," and while he was asleep she had him shaven of his seven locks of hair. His enemies put out his eyes, and led him down to Gaza, bound in brazen fetters, and made him grind in the prison. Then they held a great festival in the temple of Dagon, to celebrate their victory over Samson.

They brought forth the blind champion to make sport for them, end placed him between the two chief pillars which supported the roof that surrounded the court. Samson asked the lad who guided him to let him feel the pillars, to lean upon them. Then, with a fervent prayer that God would strengthen him only this once, to be avenged on the Philistines, he bore with all his might upon the two pillars; they yielded, and the house fell upon the lords and all the people. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life."

In Hebrews 11:32 his name is enrolled among the worthies of the Jewish Church.

Who was the winner in this tug of war in vengeance? Can we not compare it to our lives today as well? Yes, we can. Don't we engaged in games of vengeance? Who ends up a winner today? No one that's who. No, of course we don't use the same methods as Samson and the Philistines did. We use words and actions. Words can kill another just as surely as a gun or knife or any other type of weapon. Words may not put us in the grave yard, but they cause our spirit to be broken.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Smith's Bible Dictionary