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kjv@Mark:10:1-31 > > RandyP :

Reprobate Mind - the mind tends to reduce a passage like this to its most palatable speck. Here we find as the diciple's minds were being opened up they were "astonished" frequently at Jesus's fuller revelations. Doesn't mean that they understood or agreed yet, only that they were seeing how deep things really were becoming.

kjv@Mark:11:1-19 > > RandyP :

If we don't separate the three events in this passage, the middle fig tree account becomes a symbol of how Jesus viewed the fruit of the temple. There was no fruit only leaves. Being out of season (coming new covenant) shows that it in no way could be expected to bare fruit either.

kjv@kjv@Mark:14:72 > > RandyP :

Reprobate Mind - Was it only then that Peter thought about Jesus's words. The phrase "Calling to mind" projects the notion of items being on screen and off screen and that somehow we are in control as to which is which.

kjv@Joshua:9-10 > > RandyP :

God had to make it clear that it was He that was delivering these amazing victories, therefore the hail and the sun not going down one day. This also ponts out one of the greatest/rare times of Israel's solid obedience with only a few ill advised glitches.

kjv@Joshua:11:20 > > RandyP :

Why? Hearts tend to harden or soften on their own given situations whether reasonably our unreasonably. These peoples hearts had been hard and continue to be unreasonably hard to this day. Perhaps God knowing that their hearts would not soften (or only temporarily) set in motion the final hardening (atleast for this time). Neither do we know the demonic warfare occurring behind the scenes that God may have been cleansing out of the area.

kjv@Joshua:11-12 > > RandyP :

Hopefully we can sense what a thurrough route God caused in this land of Canaan given the numbers and armourment and alliances against Israel. One loss only is reported and that caused by a covetous foot soilder in Ai. There should be no doubt at that time nor this that the one real and true living God is in action and wants this to occur.

kjv@Joshua:13 > > RandyP :

Not only do we have the miraculous victory of God over the previous inhabitants of this land, we have the miraculous sustaining of the Israelites in this land for several centuries despite their frequent bends toward idolotry and corruption. Gods work is spotlighted throughout on the center of the world's stage.

kjv@Judges:3:1-4 > > RandyP :

How many times we think that God's intent is to completely drive out all the bad things in our lives so that we can live peaceably and prosperously and without trial; that we could live our lives as we see fit. It is of course a vain imagination. The proving that God required here of Israel may not have been for His own satisfaction but, for they themselves to see and learn of. He knows our heart, that we will only call to Him when there is no other way out of our self induced troubles. It would be wise for us to know that and thus the proving.

kjv@1Samuel:15-16 > > RandyP :

Old Testament accounts such as these are hard for modern audiences to fathom. Our image of God's nature and God's intentions are much more docile. We must remember that God is establishing a key peace in His argument; the depiction of man's sinful nature and His case for a incarnate/redemptive Christ. What is spirit is spirit, what is flesh is flesh, and the two minds are at complete enmity with each other. Spiritual God is having to use fleshly matters to convince the fleshy mind of the accuracy of a hated spiritual message; not only for the Israel of that time but, also us who are reading this now as well.

kjv@Luke:14:25-35 > > RandyP :

Others often portray Jesus as divine Prophet in the line of a few others that come and go every several hundred years or so. Jesus never once hinted toward any before Him nor after other than Moses. In fact as written here, He insisted on complete and sole devotion to Himself and Himself only. Anyone who attempts to include Him in the succession of messianic figures has much re-explaining of His words to do.

kjv@Luke:15:11-32 > > RandyP :

This is a very well known scripture. Many a sermon has been delivered on the prodigal son, the prodigal son's forgiving father, only brief mention of the son's brother. Who is being portrayed here as the son's brother however? One that did not leave, one who did what was expected, who had a poor reaction to the father's jubilant behavior, that receives a full inheritance in the end. I have thought perhaps the Angels, the Jews, those Christians raised un-rebelliously in religious homes. Who do you think?

kjv@Luke:17:5-10 > > RandyP :

God gives us our faith and He increases it. By this faith we could move a tree far from it's nest but, in the end we had only done as He commanded. Where of then can we boast or take leave of duty. We are yet unprofitable servants. "Prosperity" and "God Within" teachers should be ware. Paul later combines this type teaching, faith as to move mountains but having not love for one another as being futile.

kjv@Luke:17:20-37 > > RandyP :

There are two things the Lord is revealing here to keep separated I believe, the Kingdom of God and the Day of the Lord. The kingdom is within us. It is unseen by eye. It is not a place as we would know the word place. It is at hand. The Day is coming, only the Father knows when, as a thief in the night, the five bridesmaid lamps run out of oil, Daniel Ezekiel and Revelations end of the world kind of stuff. The Pharisees were so wrapped up in the notion that the Kingdom was earthly, that the Messiah was going to establish the earthly Kingdom first and upon doing that His Day would come. How then could two people be working in the field together and one be snatched away to the Kingdom? No the Kingdom is spiritual, the Day is day of final judgment, then there will be a millennium of earthly rule, then there will be an eternity in the new earth/heaven/Jerusalem.

kjv@Luke:18:1-17 > > RandyP :

The judge avenges speedily but does he find faith? The Pharisee prayed considering himself righteous but is not justified and becomes abased. What is the context between the two parables? Faith. Not in who you are, but, in who Jesus is. He avenges many. He justifies only the faithful in Him. Add the third parable and we have like the faith of a child.

kjv@2Samuel:6 > > RandyP :

Michal's reaction to David may reveal much about her. Understand that she is no longer David's only wife. This is her second time married to David, her third marriage total. She is likely unhappy about a great many things. Add to this that she sees David's keeping a dignified public image differently than he does. It may not be her image of what a king should be that hurts her as much as her image of herself in the kingdom as a whole and in their royal bedroom privately. David see his jubilant behavior as "dance"/"play" before the Lord.

kjv@1Kings:1-2 > > RandyP :

So we see the type of behind the scene alliances and confederacies that go into the making of a king. Transitions of such power rarely are smooth. Not only is there old blood but new blood that must be settled. The juvenile Solomon must make some king like decisions from the start. Remember that it was the people who wanted a king over them in the first place. Here they have it.

kjv@Luke:22:57 > > RandyP :

I think that it is too easy for us here to judge Peter. He is not reborn yet. He is still trying to approach his relationship to the Savior Christ in intellectual rather than spiritual terms much like us. The fact is that none of us truly know how we would have reacted ourselves faced with this hostile and surreal situation. Rationally, if denial meant being able to continue observing the nights events without having been set out and/or beaten it may have been well worth it in a more practical way. None of the other twelve after all were risking the effort to witness the events unfolding; only the two Marys and doubting half brother James were also watching on.

kjv@Luke:23:35 > > RandyP :

Can't help but think of the parable Jesus gave on the distant vineyard owner that sent envoys to gather it's produce only to be rejected by the hired hands. Jesus hints that there were those who knew who the Son was and yet killed Him to steal away His inheritance kjv@Mark:12:1-12. Who in this crowd would He be talking about?

kjv@Luke:24:1-35 > > RandyP :

Here we are not only hearing the direct testimony of the women and of Peter, we are hearing how 2nd level witnesses are recalling and interrupting the news that they are receiving; it's seems like the news is being transmitted faithfully. In the case of the two men walking, their 2nd level testimony then becomes a direct witness as Jesus reveals the scriptures and eats with them .

kjv@John:4:24 > > RandyP :

Just one chapter previous Jesus had told Nicodemus that one must be born again of Spirit. Now we are told that only those of this Spirit worship the Father in truth.

kjv@John:4:20-26 > > RandyP :

Jesus provides us with a discourse on the meaning of true worship. For those that believe that all paths lead to God any form of worship is suitable. Jesus says that one must worship the Father in Spirit and truth. What is true about worship if is not done in the Spirit (note: not in a spirit)? To be of the Spirit one must be born again. To be born again one must believe that Jesus is Son of God, the Christ. The Spirit cannot be forged or approximated or imagined any other way. It is the difference between believing in a god and believing God, that what He says and what He is and what He seeks for us to be is all we need consider. Some would say that that is simply too narrow; open minded is easy only for those who wish to remain uncommitted!

kjv@2Kings:17 > > RandyP :

This is one of the key chapters in the entire Bible. We see the final fall of Israel in all of it's horror. God's protection is completely lifted and only Judah remains. Key is the complete discription of what God had expected, how they had completely failed, and how the invading and occupying forces felt (fearing the Lord but, planting there own regional gods just the same). Considering the hope and the warning declared by the elderly Moses, this is a sad sad end.

kjv@John:6:16-21 > > RandyP :

Two miracles here. One commonly known. The other hidden. The disciples throughout the evening for all of their effort against the wind only traveled thirty furlongs at most from shore. Once Jesus got on board they were instantaneously were transported to their destination.

kjv@2Kings:18-19 > > RandyP :

What a terrible moment tiny Judah faces here. A true test of their conviction to Jehovah. There is no way for them to stand by their own resource or aliances. The Assyrian envoy calls his shot, puts the situation in brutally clear terms, compares Jehovah to all the other gods that have been defeated, bribes the citizens support against king Hezekiah. Jehovah preforms His work in a way that one could make no mistake that it was only by His own hand.

kjv@2Kings:18-19 > > RandyP :

What a terrible moment tiny Judah faces here. A true test of their conviction to Jehovah. There is no way for them to stand by their own resource or aliances. The Assyrian envoy calls his shot, puts the situation in brutally clear terms, compares Jehovah to all the other gods that have been defeated, bribes the citizens support against king Hezekiah. Jehovah preforms His work in a way that one could make no mistake that it was only by His own hand.

kjv@2Kings:18-19 > > RandyP :

What a terrible moment tiny Judah faces here. A true test of their conviction to Jehovah. There is no way for them to stand by their own resource or aliances. The Assyrian envoy calls his shot, puts the situation in brutally clear terms, compares Jehovah to all the other gods that have been defeated, bribes the citizens support against king Hezekiah. Jehovah preforms His work in a way that one could make no mistake that it was only by His own hand.

kjv@2Kings:21:21 > > RandyP :

Why is it so easy for the son to follow the evil of a father and so hard to follow his good? Perhaps in part, it could be said that to do good takes a personal decision and the personal conviction to stand against and see it through, evil only takes continuation and cowardice.

kjv@John:6:45 > > RandyP :

The opportunity must be taken to confront the modern notion it is only by the interpretation and teaching of man that the bible continues to this day. Corrupt man, corrupt teaching. "To the defiled in heart nothing is pure". The equation changes dramatically if one considers God to have a hand in the teaching however. But, then it is countered that God only teaches certain purified men, the rest of us must depend on them. "To the defiled in heart nothing is pure". Even that would change if one considered that every man who hears the Father learns. But, yet then it is said no man really hears God. "To the defiled in heart nothing is pure". Well maybe it's them then, these critics that reside behind the constant shield of no no no, they are the ones to whom nothing is pure. The claim that they seem to be making is that God is not pure enough to make us pure. Perhaps they should listen to God once.

kjv@1Chronicles:1-2 > > RandyP :

Here we have not only the lineage of Israel but, also the brief description of the lineages of several of the tribes and nations that began to spread across the continents into Asia, India, Europe, Siberia. Some of these would become frequent foes to Israel. Some like Edom were of the similiar sematic descent.

kjv@1Chronicles:11-12 > > RandyP :

This innuageration must have been quiet the event. Not only by the numbers but, by the commitment and determination. We are reading the same stories as in Kings but with additional details to most.

kjv@John:9:34 > > RandyP :

They were of the belief that his blindness was caused by sin. Jesus had explained that this blindness was not because of sin but for the glory of God. They had no rational rebuttal against the man's argument, so they resorted to their fall back position - if all else falls blame it on someone else's sin. This locks them into an indefensible position that only brute force can resolve. We should be cautious of this line of argument as well.

kjv@1Chronicles:21 > > RandyP :

Few of us ever become kings and are under this kind of responsibility, but, there are times when our actions unfairly effect many of those around us. Close confidants may try to talk us out of proceeding, even those not particularly spiritual seem to have better sense; we advance forward into it anyway. Times like these God may choose to speak through another; we may be too hardened or too ashamed to hear Him direct. Actions have their unavoidable consequences however, for some greater consequences then others. David knows not only that he must fall upon the mercies of God, but, in this case is shown that he'll have to make sacrificial atonement. Nowadays, we'd have to rely upon the Lord's sacrifice at the cross. Much of the consequence unfortunately still takes place.

kjv@John:11:9 > > RandyP :

Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, that was His light. Light is also described as knowledge in the glory of God, and the love for brethren. While the disciple's concern for their Lord's safety is sincere and honest, it is not of this light. We too must properly weigh this into our considerations as well, not allowing fear to swallow up light.

kjv@John:11:32 > > RandyP :

How often do we say something similar? Had He been here, had He done this, if only He had not delayed, had He made His will known sooner this would not have happened. All that we truly understand is our own pain and or predicament without giving consideration to His omnipresence and sovereignty and glory. Difficult but proper to consider.

kjv@John:12:8 > > RandyP :

Jesus did not directly confront Judas here, but, kind of played along with him. Jesus could have just as easily said 'thieves like you will we always have' or 'if these friends here tonight only knew the heart from which you speak' or any other thing. Instead, Jesus focuses on the offering of the woman not allowing her moment to be spoiled by another's.

kjv@John:13:38 > > RandyP :

We return to the theme of being willing to do good, having good intents, but lacking the resolve and resource to sustain such. It is only by the empowering of the Holy Spirit that such sacrifice and goodness can be made.

kjv@John:14:26-27 > > RandyP :

This is a partial list of the Comforter's responsibilities. These abilities had until now only been shadowed in OT prophets. The Holy Ghost is crucial to the believer in order to know and conduct daily relations, therefore obedience to our Lord.

kjv@John:15:16 > > RandyP :

The reality of our situation is this: We have been chosen, we have been ordained, we have been empowered, for the purpose of bearing fruit, if we continue to abide. Abiding has everything to do with obeying, obeying everything to do with giving ourselves in love to one another. How quickly this all can get mis-construed if we fail to keep these facts in focus. Christianity then is not a play along at home board game. It is not a play along with only those few other Christians that you personally like and get along with. It is a fruit producing "doing all things for the Lord as He loved us" obedience.

kjv@2Chronicles:26:16 > > RandyP :

I find it interesting that in all the things he could have lifted his heart to do that he lifted his heart to do that which only the high priest could do, enter the holiest to burn incense. He was seeking to worship, I suppose, in a way that he was not permitted, assuming a role that was not his. We do not know other than his pride what prompted him to do this nor for whom he was doing this for.

kjv@John:17 > > RandyP :

Mark this chapter down as 'the' chapter. Nothing hidden, Nothing remaining to be explained, nothing depending on further explanation. Jesus speaking to the Father as only the Father's Son could speak.

kjv@2Chronicles:29:24 > > RandyP :

In the OT atonement was not only made for the individual but for the nation. Now that the body of Christ has outgrown the nation we must consider that His atonement is not only for the individual, not just the nation of Israel, but the entire body of Christ as one. This is how we later will see a bride of Christ dressed white as snow. The critics of the bride and the stay at home believers should be made aware of this fact.

kjv@2Chronicles:29:27 > > RandyP :

King David to this day not only has political and judicial effect on men, but, perhaps more importantly has spiritual effect influencing even the forms and means of corporate worship. That friend is lasting and powerful!

kjv@2Chronicles:30:18-20 > > RandyP :

The spirit of the law had precedence. The spirit is that we come prepared spiritually to seek the Lord not necessarily how we come to the event ritualistically. The ritual then becomes important only when the spiritual requirement is met, other wise pardon would not have to asked for or granted

kjv@2Chronicles:30:26 > > RandyP :

The days of joy celebration song and feasting of the passover are now replaced by the joy and celebration and song and feasting we have every day in our Lord' passover presence. It is what we should feel each and every time we prepare our hearts to seek the Lord in fellowship together. It is a solemn experience only as we approach His alter with our sins. It is a long long joyous feast thereafter having been given His pardon. Some congregations have got this backwards.

kjv@2Chronicles:33:3 > > RandyP :

Where are the people in all of this? Where are the priests and the Levites? Is the position of king all that matters in these perversions? Is there no resistance? Is the resistance that easily overcome? Does the perversion go on that un-noticed? We can only guess from our own experience. What would you say?

kjv@2Chronicles:34-35 > > RandyP :

There has been for a long time debate about "solo scriptura" the doctrine of only by written scripture. The counter argument is of the oral teachings and oral traditions. This passage in particular seem ample proof that the oral argument falls flat. When the written scriptures reappear, there is a vast discrepancy between the way things were then with Moses and the way they became minus the writings centuries later. It seems incredulous that for all this time the written scripture was not even consulted and hidden away in the treasury. Maybe God was pointing to the obvious symbolism and critic.

kjv@John:19:35 > > RandyP :

John was the only gospel writer who actually witnessed Christ's passion first hand. Matthew Luke and Mark each wrote organized collections of other people's direct testimonies.

kjv@Acts:2:13 > > RandyP :

Yes, new wine often produces men and women that suddenly speak in multiple foreign dialects proficiently. How else could it be explained? (sarcasm). Had I only known that when I was trying to teach myself Spanish last time.

kjv@Nehemiah:5:10 > > RandyP :

Not only are they facing an enemy without, they face an enemy within. Jewish lenders are charging contributors an interest rate and having them mortgage there physical holdings against the loan which is a violation of the Mosaic law. To take financial advantage and profit from those attending to God's purpose is an even more debase practice, just as likely to occur today.

kjv@Nehemiah:9-10 > > RandyP :

We have privatized our religion a great deal. The sins detailed here are considered the sins of the fathers, a frequency of falling short on a national scale. Today our confessions are strictly personal if any. Sin is reduced down to things we do that harm others and if we don't harm it isn't a sin. We leave ourselves to judge whether our deeds hurt someone and even then it is only relative to the hurt that they have caused us. Not only were these stated sins national, so too were God's mercies.

kjv@Job:4-5 > > RandyP :

Normally, this would sound like proper counsel, much of the counsel we give today sounds the same. In this book though we see that Job is caught directly in the middle of something between Satan and God. This does not mean that this is always the case, we don't know if this has happened more than just this once. We only know that this type of occurrence is possible and that one may be tested similarly as a result.

kjv@Job:8:20 > > RandyP :

What perfect man is there? Job was certainly a good man. God himself had said that there was none as upright. Upright because his repentance and prayers for his family. Because of this, he got caught in the middle of a spiritual battle. He has not been cast away. God is not asleep. His friend is considering only Job's immediate physical appearances.

kjv@Job:9:22 > > RandyP :

What does Job mean by destroy? He has not been destroyed. If it has been appointed for all men to die, if naked we come into and leave this life, if the possessions of this world only rust and rot away, what has been destroyed but our false notions and expectations? Being temporarily emptied is not the same as being destroyed. God has spared Job's life and has His purposes for such. Why isn't that the focus?

kjv@Job:16:4-5 > > RandyP :

As we are often counselors to others in their times of need, we should heed Job's advice. We intend to do well by our counsel but how well if we are merely heaping up words against a person. The object of this type of counsel should be to strengthen and to comfort grief. Sometimes only people who have been through similar are able to fully understand this.

kjv@Job:16-17 > > RandyP :

Sometimes it feels not only that we are suffering for God but, also being piled upon by our friends and neighbors. Feelings of punishment can come from those who otherwise seek to help us. Grief over lost loved ones is not meant as a time of punishment but a time of cleansing and healing. There is nothing wrong in telling your friends so when such is the case or even separating yourself from them for a short time.

kjv@Acts:9:6 > > RandyP :

We want to know the whole plan start to finish often before we will invest ourselves into it. Many times the Lord only reveals only the one small step that comes up next. Daily bread so to speak. Trust and acknowledge...He will direct!

kjv@Job:21-22 > > RandyP :

One argument insists that God only rewards those that do good and seek His way. They can ask what ever they want and God will be glad to do it for them. Most of what they would ask for is material things. Job's present argument is that the wicked do just fine on their own if riches and rich lives are the mark. God seems often to leave them alone till their final demise. It is the upright that seem to draw his correction. Today, where does the evidence tend to rest?

kjv@Job:23-24 > > RandyP :

From what I have seen the evidence of this process seems clear. Whom God loves he corrects and this reproof is a way of life. It is an investment in who we will one day be. The wicked however, there is no reason to invest, correction only makes them more intent on their wicked ways. They may appear to be left to their own but, God has their end prepared. He also has us standing in the gap for those helpless victims; it is part of our test.

kjv@Acts:15:1-21 > > RandyP :

Paul identifies three "pillars" of the early church James (Jesus' brother), John, Peter kjv@Galatians:2:9. Modern Catholics identify only one: Peter. It is James here that delivers the group's verdict. John is either silent or absent. Paul is portrayed once again as serving the church under their authority (even when he has disagreement). I have no doubt that the Spirit was sought for this momentous decision but is not quoted. There is plenty of OT text regarding the inclusion of gentiles, but not mandatory circumcision of them. The decision is based then upon the consistency of the doctrine of saving grace.

kjv@Job:42:1-6 > > RandyP :

That God can do everything and no thought can be hidden from Him is truly transformative. We have gone this long journey with Job to find that God is much to be feared, there is so much that we just don't understand. The image we have of Him is an image built to our own advantage. The pedestal we put our intellect and self image on needs to be abhorred and repented of. Before, Job had only heard of these things, now, he has seen. Everything that he has been through has led him to this.

kjv@Psalms:16 > > RandyP :

Jesus would have read this as a youth. He would have seen it as instruction for Himself. The lines did fall to Him in pleasant places. He was of and was to receive a godly heritage. He acted only upon the Father's counsel and His reigns instructed Him in the night. The Father was always set before Him and the Father was at His right hand never to be moved. His soul was not left in hell and He did not suffer corruption. Imagine reading this early on, living it out to the fullest, and the joy and gladness He must feel, even today. Now it is our turn by His example.

kjv@Psalms:28 > > RandyP :

Without God's voice we are no different than those going to the pit. We can rationalize and intellectualize all that we want, but, it is His revelation and answers that separate us. That is not only true if He is silent but, if we are distracted or spiritually deaf. He shall (future tense) destroy them nor build them up. We often see that they do well for themselves on the backs of others; only for this time, they are not built up into the spiritual being that they will need to be in the next life. Where the Lord is everything to His people, He is nothing to them for now.

kjv@Acts:21:1-14 > > RandyP :

The acts of the Spirit are now giving indications to many regarding Paul but not necessarily revelations of the exact divine will; or at least they are not accepting it as such. They give their counsel based on their response to the indications not to the will. Of course they are thinking as friends in Paul's best interest and safety; the two things are different. Paul must be prepared not only for what he will soon face but for what they are now facing in this turn of events.

kjv@Psalms:41-42 > > RandyP :

Why art thou cast down, o my soul? Enemies, whisperers, even a friend are conspiring against David because of His insistence/devotion on God. He has his sin, he has his turmoil but, he has his hope and he has his prayer. He has seen God's hand before and he waits for it again. He hungers and thirsts in a truly spiritual way, a deliverance that only his God can perform.

kjv@Psalms:51 > > RandyP :

This is clearly one of the most substantial passages of the Bible. If we only understood it to it's deepest and truest meaning. Behold thous desirest truth in my inward parts; create in me a clean heart; restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; then will I teach transgressors thy ways.... We better memorize this one!

kjv@Psalms:53 > > RandyP :

If a person who says that there is no God can not do good, is corrupt and works iniquity, can't the same be said of a system or form of government which is the same only bigger?

kjv@Psalms:54 > > RandyP :

Mentioned here are "those that uphold" David's soul in the same sentence as God being David's helper. Shall we assume that amongst other things God is using certain people in David's life to comfort and sustain David's will and judgment? As we are often prone to gathering the wrong people around us, it would be wise to not only pray for the right people to enter and surround us, but to seek out and nurture these necessary relationships well ahead of our time of need, and for His hands to guide them in these times of our crises?

kjv@Psalms:62 > > RandyP :

Salvation is not only a word for the future day of judgement, it is a word for the day here and now. Too much surrounds us in a day not to be aware of and in need of His salvation. He is strength. He is refuge. Mischief, inward cursing, oppression, lies, vanity, robbery are but a few of the things that either do or could affect us each and every hour. He is our defense, salvation, and our rock. We shall not be moved.

kjv@Psalms:66 > > RandyP :

Affliction serves the purpose of purging and cleansing in the life of believers. It is not a bad thing other wise we'd likely go back to the way we were before. This way we've not only learned to depend solely on God, been removed from our selfish and ill advised motives, seen the hand and operation of God, but, also have some investment into the process. The praise and prayer offered becomes real and sincere, organic and experiential instead of merely academic.

kjv@Romans:2 > > RandyP :

No one is above judgement. Our only salvation in judgment is in Jesus Christ. In the previous chapter we've read of the ways of the reprobate. It would be natural for us to be judgmental of others given this impressive list. The problem with that is in the many things for which we ourselves will be judged, things perhaps more hidden than for example overt homosexuality. Persons on both sides of the line draw their own conclusions and judgements. A wall builds up between us with sinners on both sides. God's long suffering and forbearance has been shown to us all. It is time for us on both sides to think in terms of the spirit verses the letter of the law. Let us set aside any sin that would so easily beset us.

kjv@Romans:4 > > RandyP :

This law of faith not only separates us from our Jewish brothers but also our Muslim; it is our dividing point in many respects. Their reward is essentially boiled down to "God owes them" because of their obedient works. They do what He commands them and He is obliged/indebted to pay them back. God is committed thus only to their blood seed or proselytized seed. It is our belief that God owes no man no thing, that what He does give us is freely given of His own supreme grace through and for the establishment of His own son Jesus Christ's reign and lordship. We have the entirety of the Bible including the accounts of Abraham and David to confirm this Law of Faith. It's reward is available to all peoples who like Abraham hope beyond hope in imputation and God's providential grace. The story of Abraham thus becomes a prophecy of God sacrificing His son in substitution for reasons of His own love and grace and not because of indebtedness to some percieved goodness we may or may not of performed. The difference is huge!

kjv@Romans:5:13-14 > > RandyP :

The Law spoken of here is clearly the Mosaic Law. Without/before the Law sin was not imputed and yet all people died showing proof of a Adamic curse. One does not have to sin in the same form as Adam (freely choosing to eat from the tree of knowledge of good/evil) because his descendants are cut off from the tree of life. This condition causes all the descendants to unavoidably sin, the option of choice in this instance is totally removed. Our options now are in how we will sin. Now that the Law is imputed we fully know that our condition is one of sin as well as our available options. Though we seek to do godly right we can not do so knowing only what is right in our own eyes. In this sense Jesus has become the light in our darkness.

kjv@Psalms:77 > > RandyP :

To realize what our spiritual infirmity is and what effect it has upon us is crucial. It makes us to doubt. It makes us to invent attributes to God that are clearly not in His nature. These attributes are concocted to place Him off into the distance. Somehow I fear as well for the doubters that are just as likely to look for God only in the earth shaking bolts from the sky. The more we know of His true attributes the more likely we are to see Him in each and everything in this life with manifold ways. Look for these ways today!

kjv@Romans:6 > > RandyP :

Baptized into His death. How many of us realize that? That we may be free of sin... Let not sin therefore reign. There was a time when we had no choice, we were servants of the flesh. Being crucified with Christ now there is a second choice; and it does not appear that it is automatic that we will make the right choice in this new freedom. There are only two choices presented however. The other choice is to be servants of righteousness. We may think that that there is a third choice to do whatever we determine ourselves but that is the same as serving the flesh. This is the test of our faith, whether is strong enough to serve righteousness single mindedly and whether it is real enough to know that it is not automatic.

kjv@Psalms:84 > > RandyP :

Judgment/Compassion. Have you ever worked for a company that was failing miserably? The employees/customers were pulling it apart at the seems? When a new manager comes in the first thing for him/her to do is to right the ship, and to do this he/she must pronounce judgment. The judgment is even handed; "it is my way or the highway". As hard as these transformations are, I cannot tell you the relief these judgments have especially to the loyal and invested and badly abused workers. To see a company go from a delinquent detention center to a fully functioning productive enterprise is perhaps the best compassion available. This is more like God's judgments; they are only harsh to those who deserve them.

kjv@Psalms:85 > > RandyP :

I wonder how much of the anger of God read about here is His anger and how much is either our sense of shame or rebelliousness. We often transfer the blame or misinterpret the real situation; which may make Him all the more angry. We have to be careful not to present ourselves as being ready for being turned if only God were not still so mad. If God is angry there will be good cause. If He is still distant then perhaps we are not fully ready to be turned and revived. With God, mercy and truth are always met together, it is never a point that we wish He would return to.

kjv@Romans:9 > > RandyP :

It is difficult for us to perceive that God will do whatever He will and that we are subject to that. Even when we rebel against the notion He is the only sovereign one. He has done no wrong for there is no wrong for Him to do. We are His vessels, some to honor others to dishonor.

kjv@Psalms:102 > > RandyP :

David frequently considers not only his own mortality but God's eternity. Here he includes our universe as well. The earth and heavens were made to perish and be replaced. The children of His servants shall continue and their seed be established. By sequence, it tells me that our final dwelling is somewhere beyond this present universe.

kjv@Psalms:113 > > RandyP :

The Lord God's Son not only was high above doing these great and countless things, He humbled Himself to become part of these experiences as well, to the effect that now He is by no means a stranger to the human feelings and human nuances and human temptations that we experience within these great foundations and frameworks. He has been both here and there. Having returned back to His position alongside the Father, having completed the necessities for our redemption, He waits at the right hand as the Father puts His enemies beneath His footstool so that He the Son can return in His much deserved glory. Who is like unto our Lord God?

kjv@Psalms:119:105-176 > > RandyP :

One of the things we miss the most in our doctrine nowadays is the concept of just how right each and everything God has said or done or decided or judged or testified of has been. We get caught up in the love and grace without understanding what it is that defines that love, defines that grace, makes it so immense and great: His righteousness. In the law, the statutes, the precepts, the testimonies these things can be searched out, can have their proper effect helping us to grasp His defining nature. We know now that in our faith that the Grace supersedes the moral code, that the spirit of it exceeds the letter, but, the Law still can be our schoolmaster not only teaching where we fall short but where God's righteousness stands out.

kjv@1Corinthians:5 > > RandyP :

We see that sin is not only what an individual does but how the congregation reacts to it. In the Law, the precept was given not only to the fornicator not to do it it but, to the citizens to revile and punish it. Their reaction either furthers lawfulness or furthers lawlessness in the community. In this new covenant they weren't to go to the extent of stoning the fornicator in the square but they were to strictly warn him and should he continue reject him from their fellowship. This assembly mistakenly gloried in their pious tolerance of this man and his acts.

kjv@Psalms:142 > > RandyP :

Consider that over and over again the man has called out to pour from his soul his desperate troubles. The Lord hears and the Lord delivers and yet they come up again and again. Where is the righteousness in that? It is in the life long process that molds the man into what he spiritually needs to be, not just for this life but the life to come; it is in the inspiration ignited in others to aspire to the same. Snares have been privily laid by others, harm is meant, there is only one refuge and it is not in mankind. He complains of these others and their harmful intents but not the process and not the master that by this shapes the man into a vessel of honor.

kjv@1Corinthians:16:3 > > RandyP :

I may have mentioned before that the long distance transfer of monies was dangerous business back in this day. Not only did the actual envoy have to be fully trusted, I assume that diversions and disguises and stealth's had to be planned to avoid being robbed. Larger volumes of money may have to be sent out by multiple and less obvious means. A charitable Christian church was no doubt a target for thieves and a good place for them to plant conspiring informants. Paul's public announcement may itself be a ruse. This is my hunch and not a revelation. Would it be wrong if he did?

kjv@Proverbs:16:9 > > RandyP :

If the preparations of the heart are the Lord's kjv@Proverbs:16:1, if his goings forth are from the Lord and his way cannot be understood outside of the Lord kjv@Proverbs:20:24 and if it is only the counsel of the Lord that will stand kjv@Proverbs:19:21, what do we have other than to choose which of His steps to take? In light of kjv@Romans:1:18-24 God prepared hearts to follow after Him, He gave them a choice, as much as He prepared they still chose contrary, their steps now are directed (that choice leads to these steps) yet His counsel must stand - they are condemned for transgressing the preparation laid into their hearts.

kjv@2Corinthians:1 > > RandyP :

Whether Paul's team was afflicted or comforted, it was for our comfort and salvation. Both abounded with his team, sufferings and comfort because they abound in Christ. They were afflicted even to the point of death. They considered themselves dead and only by the deliverance of God did they continue. Our consolation is effectual in all sufferings but particularly in the same sufferings which they suffered.

kjv@2Corinthians:4 > > RandyP :

Is Paul saying that only the Apostles are called to this stringent a life? That we should just sit back and bask in the glory that has been revealed in their work and sacrifice? Surely we are not Apostles, but, we are disciples, we are followers, we are partakers of the divine nature. If this is what Christ suffered, if this is what the Apostles suffered, then we too should be willing/expecting to suffer the same. It is in this manner after all the life and glory of Christ is revealed.

kjv@2Corinthians:8 > > RandyP :

The ministry to the saints should be a ministry assumed by all believers. There is an expectation of equality where by my surplus at this time supplies to your needs and your surplus at another time will supply mine. Even during the difficult times, there are wonderful examples of believers squeezing extra out resources to others. We should not only commit to such causes but follow through on our commitments. In this we prove our love for the brethren. Sometimes we just expect God to take care of it not realizing that this is often how God takes care of it.

kjv@Ecclesiastes:4 > > RandyP :

If not for God in the heavens this life get odder and more vain with each and every consideration. From the foolish king down to the poor peasant the emptiness piles up. To think that that this how an agnostic and atheist thinks; this is his religion. Meaning is simply what ever gets us through. And if another man comes and steals our meaning then that is just too bad, perhaps it shouldn't have had meaning to us in the first place. If that meaning gets sick and she dies then I have only to know that my time will come as well; I have only the ground to look to past present and future, that is my meaning. And if I am unlucky enough not to find meaning then perhaps I am the luckiest of all.

kjv@Ecclesiastes:8:8 > > RandyP :

How many have I seen that have fearfully fought to retain the spirit upon their death bed only to drag themselves only further into fear and pain. It is a fearful thing to all but to those prepared to meet their maker it is a much anticipated moment and a short step into His arms.

kjv@2Corinthians:12:12 > > RandyP :

Are we to take this that there are signs/wonders/deeds that only an apostle can do? Almost like an confirmation of apostleship? WHat signs and wonders would these be?

kjv@Isaiah:7 > > RandyP :

This is a very detailed prophecy. In 65 tears Ephraim/Israel shall be no more and not long after both Ephraim and Judah shall be without a king being first under the hand of Assyria. The fruitful land shall be over taken with flys and bees and become briers and thorns suitable only for cattle. Heads and beards and feet will be shaven in utter humiliation. During this era of captivity the messiah will born, His name, her virginity, His diet and distaste for evil all are revealed. Each and every piece of this prophecy has been completely fulfilled within a 675 year time span.

kjv@Isaiah:14 > > RandyP :

Removed from the context of the passage the section on Lucifer can be looked at as a description of the Devil; which may or may not be the author's intent. In context, we might think of it as a description of the king of Babylon who had similarities to the Devil and may have been heavily under his influence. The remainder of the prophecy in context namely the desolation of the city of Babylon has for a long time been fulfilled; the city ruin only recently haven been located by aerial satellite in Iraq. Plans are being made by some to rebuild it. It is mentioned again in latter day prophecy.

kjv@Ephesians:3 > > RandyP :

Unsearchable riches, mysteries, things abundantly above all that we ask or think; this is our Lord and His Father. You ask me what kind of things. How could I know if they are unsearchable mysteries? You would say then they don't exist. Do things only exist that you can comprehend? Are they only believable if they can be comprehended? In a sense I can know the unknowable things by the things that can be known. In another, I don't really even know fully the things that I do know. All this does not mean that things are unbelievable, they are simply unknowable. Anything beyond that requires revelation.

kjv@Isaiah:32 > > RandyP :

An interesting new character type is identified here - women at ease. I don't recall this type elsewhere such as the Proverbs where so many traits are profiled. I can imagine though where this trait would be dangerous being disconnected from the urgent religious and political matters at hand, disinterested in the catastrophic events happen all around, disassociating them selves from the poor/needy/oppressed/struggling/upright, attentive only perhaps to their own social rank and cultural standing. There is the sin of calling evil good and good evil but this almost the sin of not calling it anything at all.

kjv@Philippians:2 > > RandyP :

Paul has returned Epaphroditus to the brethren in Philippi to cheer this congregation up. Paul is also about to send Timothy his prize student to strengthen them. In his letters Paul seems to make everything even general matters as a teaching opportunity. We also see that Paul could only trust certain people for certain types of missions. Paul not only thought of who needed help but who it was that he was sending.

kjv@Isaiah:48 > > RandyP :

Knowing the heart of man and His servant Israel, the Lord knew how we would bend the truth of this thing, that we would claim we knew it, that our own hands or our own gods brought this thing to pass. The Lord therefore declared it long before it happened, declared a new thing that could not be known any other way and performed it with intricate precision. This is how He has to operate given our blind and corrupted nature. It may seem terrible that Judah must suffer the furnace of affliction in double measure. It seems odd that this would be the only way left to refine them and prove His love/covenant. But, it seems odd that we would refuse to see things in the light of truth, follow His commandments and directions, not pollute His name with our rebellious and self serving whims.

kjv@Isaiah:49 > > RandyP :

The Lord has done all this. The Lord is doing and will do all this. And yet Israel says that the Lord has deserted them, that they are barren and childless. Oh if they only knew the great thing that the Lord is doing all around them, the mighty fulfillment of everything that they though had passed. They shall not be ashamed that wait for Him.

kjv@Isaiah:57 > > RandyP :

The plan is not for God to have to contend much longer. The time that He will is of His choosing. All paths cannot lead to eternal blessing and not all souls will be unconditionally accepted. This moment is but an opportunity to turn oneself around. He has now accomplished all that His righteousness/mercy has required Him. He will perform that which He has promised. He will dwell eternally only with those of humble and contrite hearts, revive their spirit and once and for all heal them. For the others it will be a raging murky sea of their own consequence apart from Him. How much clearer can the choice be?

kjv@Isaiah:65 > > RandyP :

They are still the apple of His eye as we are reading. If only He was theirs.

kjv@Jeremiah:10 > > RandyP :

Is it not in God to have feelings as well? We go about as if we are the only ones that feel violated and forgotten and grieved and spoiled. Is it that He is unaffected by what we say and do or is it that it just doesn't matter to us? Is it even in our way to direct our own steps? We demand of Him to be righteous enough not to be affected by these things that we do, to be above it all, but not of Him to be righteous enough to actually do something about all of this.

kjv@Jeremiah:28 > > RandyP :

One must ask themselves "do I speak for the Lord"? We all intend well. It would have seemed good for this all to end within two years. Good for the people, but, what about for the Lord. Is it that the Lord is only concerned for our good and not for His own? His good was being served in a thorough purging of our rebellious hearts, a rooting out of the spoiled figs and tainted prophets. Sure the people were put to shame and humbled, but, isn't that better than being stiff necked and hard hearted? If you intend to speak for the Lord you better well know what He would have you to say.

kjv@Jeremiah:32 > > RandyP :

I find it hard to believe the claims of some cults that the Jews are apostate beyond repair and that they themselves are now the true Jews. What has the Lord drawn them through? When were they scattered? When did their fathers do only wrong? They may be saved in the knowledge of Jesus Christ but, undoubtedly, they are not the Israel/Judah spoken of here. The Lord will put His fear into their (the Jews) heart that they will not leave Him anymore.

kjv@Jeremiah:35 > > RandyP :

We are given an example of proof that it is within the heart of man to keep some form of covenant, that it is a matter of choice. This example was a very difficult and sacrificial choice. The right choice is always rewarded. Judah long ago had made their choice. God could have carried out their chastisement long ago, but, He has been careful to let us know that He has gone more than the extra mile towards them before executing this. It has given us plenty of opportunity to realize that this is not only the way it must be, it is also done for their ultimate good. We should see the certainty of our own depravity and the need for the Lordship of His Son and the redemption provided by the gracious gift of His Son's own blood.

kjv@Titus:1:15 > > RandyP :

This is the type of opposition I most often run against. They set out only to disprove my position, not that they have any better position of their own, to them all positions are faulty. To them the fact that I would have a position suggests a flaw within me, regardless of what it is. So is it that I need to argue my position better? Or is it that I need to argue their defilement in this particular mindset better?

kjv@Jeremiah:37 > > RandyP :

Have you ever had someone do everything they could against you only to later come back to you for advice? Jeremiah asks the obvious "why do you come to me, where are all your prophets, why not ask them"? Did Zedekiah really think that Jeremiah for the sake of some possible friendship or for the chance of being released would have anything other to say than what had already been said?

kjv@Jeremiah:38 > > RandyP :

In the end, the Lord has still given the king a choice. He can surrender himself without a fight and live or he can fight and die and his household be mercilessly brutalized. We like to think that freedom of choice always involves something more than that. Look at Jeremiah the prophet of God. What choices did he have remaining? He had done just as God had said; where is his safe out? What makes us think that somewhere there is a better outcome? That we can negotiate or force our way into some dreamy personal victory or acceptable compromise? Most often, the only choices we have are the choices left to us.

kjv@Jeremiah:44 > > RandyP :

Suggested here in this text is a goddess largely worshiped by the women. We sense that men were typically excluded. Many of the male gods now have fallen yet the complete destruction of a nation has not rooted this one out; it has only strengthened it in the void. We are again looking down on this from a clinical view as readers knowing beginning/context and end. They are living it in real time without the top down insight. They are left to decide by observing the mounting evidence around them. The idolatrous mind certainly sees the evidence in a much different fashion. For those of you lead by your heart this should be a warning; the heart may be 180 degrees off.

kjv@Jeremiah:46 > > RandyP :

Egypt is in a bad spot. Not only are they being cursed for harboring the adulterous remnant of Judah (who were told not to go into Egypt or they would be a curse) they are judged by all the gods and idols of their own making. Surely the Lord has not kept this secret from them, we have some evidences of His dealings with them from this and other prophets. Other nations should be warned of this as well. When they see what and why this has happened to Egypt they should realize that this could be them as well.

kjv@Hebrews:5:7-10 > > RandyP :

Christ learned obedience by what He suffered and thus was made a perfect high priest. We similarly learn our obedience by what we suffer for Him. One might say "wait... I am not suppose to suffer... I believe in Christ... He suffered for me". Christ obeyed the Father in suffering for us. He suffered what we could not and even would not for we were not capable of obeying to that extent. Yet we are supposed to obey in our own measure and often the only way to learn to obey is to suffer. In this case we suffer for/because of Him; for the stance we take/defend in Him.

kjv@Hebrews:6 > > RandyP :

The belief is that Jesus arose to the right hand side of God the Father. The hope is that we will see and be with them there; that we too will enter because of Him. This hope is our anchor, it is our strong consolation, we take refuge in it, it enters within the veil. Along with this belief and hope there are evidences that accompany this salvation, living works, works that He does upon us, works of obedience that lead us toward His perfect obedience with a similar obedience of our own. Many of these works that we obey Him in are toward the saints and the brethren. Some, having tasted of this goodness, have still yet removed themselves from this obedience, from this hope, their living works having become dead works deceive them into a complete apostasy. They become as briers and thorns whose only use is to be burned.

kjv@Jeremiah:51 > > RandyP :

The righteousness of Judah had nothing to do with their own righteousness but, of the Lord's choice, His covenant with them. His righteousness made their righteousness and this form of righteousness is much much different. In the same fashion, Judah's escape from their captivity to Babylon was not in their own hands, their Lord was going to use the Medes to break their bonds. It cannot then be said that it was the hand of Judah, nor even the hands of the Medes (not with the impossible impenetrable odds that the Medes were up against); only by the hand of God. The Lord has used Judah in this same fashion to break many a nation since and continues to use them today; a nation the rarely was a nation with an army the rarely was an army.

kjv@Jeremiah:52 > > RandyP :

What does this completion of judgment mean in the grand scheme of spiritual things? Does it mean the the experiment is over? Israel is finished and we move on to plan B? Does it mean that God has learned from His mistakes and will start up in a different fashion again? Or does it mean that there is something vital for all of mankind to understand? Something of our depraved sinful nature that even with promises, even with miraculous deliverance and provision, even with tremendous blessing and tremendous cursing and every sort of intention revival and effort, none of this has any effect upon the true core nature of man's deceptive heart. The heart does not obey because it cannot. The heart cannot be spiritual because it is not. All that we intend and invent and contrive is but utter vanity. What is blind cannot see. In this unfamiliar light we sense that only by His grace and by His election are we separated from this wretchedness.

kjv@Lamentations:4 > > RandyP :

From this distance we may loose the scope of context a contemporary of Jeremiah may have sensed. One thing we now we might miss is just how impossible this all may have seemed. All of the eyes of the other nations looking on this would have known how unbreachable the defenses of Jerusalem would have been and yet they were utterly destroyed; and if Jerusalem then surely theirs. It was known to them as well that Jerusalem was the Lord's and that the Lord had not let iniquity go unpunished even/especially amongst His own. Predicted now is the fall of great Babylon, an even greater impossibility. Surely there would be the sense that if this is to happen that all of this can only be of the Lord.

kjv@Ezekiel:4 > > RandyP :

Think of the strange public methods that have been employed to broadcast the impending judgment. Here Ezekiel is to lie on one side on a tile 390 days continuously and 40 days on the side eating only the rations given at the start and bread cooked on dung. Jeremiah was breaking ancient pots and such. Wasn't it Isaiah walking naked for three years? Certainly not just anyone could get the message out by doing this, these men must have been fully established as prophets before hand in order to have impact. With the state of things the way they are this well may have the best of all options. It is rarely the convincing intellectual dialog and reasoning we think of that is called for. Knowing that God is perfect in all His ways, it makes me wonder what methods He might have for us today?

kjv@Ezekiel:8 > > RandyP :

Imagine this seeing this vision as the elders of Judah sat there in the parlor before you. It wouldn't surprise me if they were there to tell him how things were going to be if he didn't stop with all the rhetoric. Before the vision you might be thinking 'well these guys know what they are doing', 'intelligent people can see things different ways', 'how could all of them be wrong and only me right', 'hmmm...maybe some compromise is called for'. Then with the vision seeing these men the way God sees them? This is such a curious passage!

kjv@Hebrews:11:1-19 > > RandyP :

Faith is most commonly defined as something we believe or hope for. Here it is better defined as something that totally moves us and shapes the course of things to come, a leaving of ourselves to commit/pursue the greater promises laid before us. Faith is a both a destination and the road/process of getting there. It is it's own country.

kjv@Ezekiel:14 > > RandyP :

Three righteous men of the ages are given as repeated examples. The righteousness of these men can only save themselves; not even their immediate sons and daughters can be saved unless by their own individual righteousness. So too, only you yourself is saved if so be, your family and friends will have to be saved themselves by their own righteousness. Any righteousness any of us would have is found solely in the righteousness of Christ Jesus and on the personal confession of that alone will any individual be delivered.

kjv@Ezekiel:18 > > RandyP :

He hath no pleasure in the death.. Several times here it is illustrated what the righteous man would be doing and what the wicked do as well. These are not new things, they have been known all along. Yet so many choose the wrong path. There appears to be a decision, one can make themselves a knew person by choosing to do right. So why then do people not choose? Elsewhere we learn that this answer has to do with the sinful nature of man, a nature only curable by the sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ; imposing moral law upon this nature only illustrates its depravity all the more. Did great numbers turn to the living God by in the time of this prophecy? Certainly not.

kjv@Ezekiel:20 > > RandyP :

The choice is not only to do whatever we will do but is whether to pollute the name of our Lord in the midst of the godless or not. Israel never really chose not to pollute, from the start there was always momentum. It was only by the merciful longsuffering of God that they were not given completely over. Notice how easy it was to pass down the rebellion of the fathers from generation to generation and how much near impossible to pass down the righteousness. The lure and pressures and ease were far too enticing.

kjv@Ezekiel:24 > > RandyP :

Their eyes/desires are upon one thing. And when that one thing is taken away suddenly it's stare then shifted upon their sons and daughters and their own iniquity certain. Why must it come to this? I am asked why a person must fall to such depths before they see way to the Lord? It is implied that there is something wrong with a Lord that is only the Lord of the fallen. Rather, there is something wrong with the heart of a man that can not see the Lord while in his strength and youthful prowess/splendor, that his sinful and proud and arrogant nature must be ground down and disrupted, laid bare upon a table of self desperation before seeing light. The Lord of the fallen indeed if to be Lord of such souls at all.

kjv@Ezekiel:33 > > RandyP :

A person could do right for all of their lives, trust in this track record and yet fail at one point and that record be stained as if no right ever happened. Likewise, a person could do wrong for life and at one point finally do what is right and wipe his wrong clean. How can this logically be? The only way these two opposites can prove true is if the righteousness relied upon is not the righteousness of the individual but the righteousness imputed from an intermediary. One man trusts in the righteousness of Jesus though everything that he has done up to now is sinful, another trusts that he has done nothing but right and in that opinion alone he is terribly wrong for the righteousness of true righteousness has not been imputed. Righteousness apart from our Lord's righteousness is no righteousness at all.

kjv@1Peter:3 > > RandyP :

Again Christ is given as the absolute example. Not only how He acted, but, how He saw Himself in the role of obeying The Father. Having this mindset more naturally produces these particular actions and influences this certain outlook. The picture is complete in the symbolism of water baptism, the good conscience answers to God, dying to the flesh and alive to the Spirit, fully immersed in sanctification. In the same way, whether in marriage, or business, or fellowship, conducting all daily activity being willing to suffer unjustly for His good rather than be condemned for participating in their bad. To the hope of perhaps saving some of their souls along with.

kjv@Ezekiel:39 > > RandyP :

Seven years of burning nothing but weapons for fuel. A gathering of many birds and creeping things to eat on the carcasses. Seven months of flagging and burying the dead. A national effort by every citizen to cleanse the land. This would be an effective way of making yourself known again to your people. It would certainly lift the veil from their eyes. Imagine being in Israel at this time. Given the odds of the battle this sight would only be by the hand of God.

kjv@Ezekiel:40 > > RandyP :

What is the importance of these details to us today? That God has a great many (if not all) details planned out; that He is trying to tell us something needed to be known. Consider that this temple fell and was desecrated just as the first and yet it is not a mistake that God gave it such detail and foresight; it is all part of a much greater plan/dialog. Often physical things and events described in the Bible are shadows/pictures/blue prints of things occurring in the spiritual world put into a language we could more readily understand. I have heard men like Dr. Vernen Mc Gee attempt to show how the Temple, the things of it, the predetermined rituals spell out a spiritual description of salvation and atonement; things like the 'holy of holys' that only the high priest was able to enter after being cleansed once a year. North gates, south gates, having to go in one gate and out another, tables and hooks, borders of pomegranate and palms, etc..., they all have their meaning in a spiritual sense. The thing for now to know is that Jesus is the complete fulfillment of all of these descriptive types. To go back and rediscover what each of these types means is to study what Jesus was able to accomplish and who we are in Him; for us each detail measured out precisely.

kjv@2Peter:3:15-16 > > RandyP :

There should be no doubt that Paul was not only known by Peter but read and agreed with by Peter. What better recommendation can Paul's literary works receive.

kjv@2Peter:3 > > RandyP :

The mass distribution/reading of the Holy Scriptures to the unlearned is also our church's only security besides the Holy Spirit that those proclaiming themselves as being 'the learned' are in fact 'The Learned'. Otherwise the door is opened wide for those wicked apostates to whom this passage and context alerts us to. We see this very thing occur through out the history of our church. To get to the essentials of falsehood one must bypass the essentials of truth. Truth number one = Scripture!

kjv@Daniel:1 > > RandyP :

The Lord is always moving ahead with His plans. As a nation Judah has now fallen into Chaldean hands but through the obedience of four young souls He plans to move Israel forward through the seventy year captivity. He has gifted these four with the skill, the knowledge, the situation and the opportunity needed. They won't be the only ones that He builds up and moves into place.

kjv@Daniel:2 > > RandyP :

They sought the mercies of God concerning this secret. Perhaps they would have rather thought that the king was losing his marbles and hastily making a way for them out wit the king for their freedom. The mercies of God in this case were much different. God was intending to share a revelation with the king and establish these Hebrew boys in the kings eye. The four's action saved not only themselves but, the other soothsayers and magicians as well.

kjv@1John:2 > > RandyP :

To abide in Him is to love and to walk as He walked. This does not come naturally. The special anointing that we receive as repentant believers teaches us of all new and necessary spiritual things. We are taught by abiding in Him, abiding is our school. We love as He, we learn. We walk as He, we learn. How then can we love unless we abide in Him? His love is not just any love, His walk not like any either. This love and walk we are unfamiliar with even to the point of being at enmity with it. It is only by His unction that we are able to do it. Some then by not abiding have come out from us and have become our opposite, the antichrists.

kjv@Daniel:4 > > RandyP :

A thought about free choice... Nebuchadnezzar had twelve months to consider the interpretation of his dream. For some the dream alone would be enough to alter/soften their hearts, or so we would hope, but, is that actually true? Daniel as much as said some sort of lessening would be possible. It was not ever said though that this chastisement would ever be avoidable, that the choice was totally his. It could be that over the course of twelve months Nebuchadnezzar did everything that he thought would hold this off only to realize that he was still under it's shadow. He may have hardened in the end. Therefore it is evidenced that as much as Nebuchadnezzar may have thought that he had changed, he had not actually changed; the pride was still deep within him. Our circumstances may be similar, God may be trying to remove a destructive trait or element from our heart. We may try (and be given time) to extract that ill on our own, but, until it is given into God's hands it is never really removed; it simply lays hidden producing further atrophy/paralysis. Where then is free choice? It is in accepting the way things must be. It is all things given into His hands.

kjv@Daniel:5 > > RandyP :

I am surprised that Belshazzar still adorned Daniel in the scarlet after his own judgment and the judgment of his kingdom was so pronounced. I suppose after seeing just a hand writing on a wall and Daniel being the only one to interrupt and settle the doubt, one would have to believe it.

kjv@1John:5 > > RandyP :

The idols spoken of here can be as simple as a Jesus other than the one testified of by the Father. A Jesus that isn't God made flesh. A Jesus who is not His only begotten Son. A Jesus who is not His beloved. A Jesus who is one of many ways acceptable to the Father. Any other Jesus makes this Jesus a liar. Try this translation: "keep yourselves from the Jesus that makes this Jesus a liar".

kjv@Hosea:6 > > RandyP :

Then shall we know, if we follow on... It is not only in the realization and acknowledgement, it is in what we follow after that. Many a man has been brought to realize, brought to acknowledge their sin, few however have then followed after what is right.

kjv@Revelation:2:8-11 > > RandyP :

Nothing said about what the church in Smyrna is doing right or wrong, only what they have been and what some will be suffering for Christ's namesake. Be thou faithful unto death He exhorts.

kjv@Hosea:10 > > RandyP :

Pictures of vines producing fruit, wheat producing flour, flour producing bread, leaven falsely puffing the bread up, sea's producing their own foam, night and day, light and darkness, faithful brides and harlots, sheep and goats, wheat and tares; such picture-grams fill the volumes of scripture. Over and over, situation after situation, pictures of nations and empires, of tents and temples, of times and eras, of deserts and fruitful places; how do they not mean what they mean? How do they lend themselves to mis-interpretation? God surely knows the heart of man, that two men will look at the same object and dispute over what it is. One man will pick it apart with small words, the other piece it together with larger pictures. God knows the limitations of human language and the deceitfulness of hearts. His word is constructed in such a way that the only doubt that can be left is the doubt of a rebellious self justifying reprobate.

kjv@Revelation:3:1-6 > > RandyP :

Works? What works? I thought that everything was strictly by grace? The church at Sardis is of great concern. Individuals remain that have not left or deserted and they shall be rewarded, they are exhorted strengthen that which remains, but, what about the rest of them? Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved by grace however we that hear are exhorted to overcome. Our faith is planted in circumstances that necessitate immediate growth and action, from which our faith only grows stronger. If there are not these works and actions the local church body itself dies away. Avoiding and/or ignoring the work that must be done because of some personal tantrum is spiritually immature.

kjv@Revelation:4 > > RandyP :

If you have ever been blessed with revelation you know that your attention to detail is un-human. The things that you remember are remembered because there is divine meaning planted in each and every little thing, they are sealed in your memory because they are meant to be sealed. There is no doubt coming out that you are granted occasion to be a part of something foreign and miraculous and you want to go back into it without letting the moment get away from you. You try to get back into it for days, but, eventually realize that it has ended. It may be the only revelation you ever again receive or it may be years until another. Part of you however searches for it again in your dreams, in strange little occurrences, in voices you think that you might of heard. John here receives perhaps the greatest and most complete revelations ever recorded. The imagery and symbolism and threads tied to other bible prophets and covenant history that God uses is utterly mind blowing. John must have been exhausted afterward beyond human strength.

kjv@Amos:1:11 > > RandyP :

The forth reason for the four judgments, this on Edom itself. Edom, the descendants of Jacob's brother Esau in their unrelenting wrath not only received all the Israelite captives from Damascus/Gaza/Tyrus but pursued more with vengeance.

kjv@Amos:3 > > RandyP :

So this is where that quote comes from "shall two walk together lest they be agreed". Some sayings just stick. Do you walk with the Lord? Then do the two of you agree? Do the two of you not agree? Then you don't walk together. For Israel and also Judah there is a whole lot of agreeing needing to be done and there is only one way left for the Lord to get them to see that; they apparently think that everything is now settled.

kjv@Revelation:5 > > RandyP :

If all paths lead to God, why is it that only one of those paths is worthy to unseal this book of judgments?

kjv@Amos:5 > > RandyP :

Many today think of their sins as personal things that have little or no effect on others such as the just, the poor, the oppressed, the needy. This passage speaks of such transgressions causing a nation's judgment as a whole to become as soft porous wormwood and it's righteousness to be left off. The stark evidences can be found in how the just are more and more rebuked, abhorred and afflicted (to the point the just are better off personally to keep silent). The results are a form of personal prosperity and social suave that comes quickly to an end having no bases of support (earlier described as being lead away by fish hooks). The nation as a whole is judged not only by it's failed condition, but, by God. Doesn't sound all that personal to me.

kjv@Revelation:6 > > RandyP :

Six of the seals from the book are now open. Remember that the only one worthy of opening these was the Lamb our Lord, no other could have done this but, a great many wanted it to be done. Having been sealed means that each of these were predetermined yet held off until the right to do so had been claimed. Even when He was proved worthy upon resurrection He then had held off until certain numbers had been fulfilled and the go ahead was given by the Father. Each unsealed judgment alone would be devastating. Together or in sequence they become a time like the earth has never known.

kjv@Revelation:6 > > RandyP :

We must also not leave off that this judgment not only has to do with us and our sin nature, but, also towards ending the spiritual war against Satan.

kjv@Jonah:1:2 > > RandyP :

The imperial city of Nineveh, royal seat of then Assyria is in modern day northern Iraq near Mosel on the Tigris river. It's ruins have only recently been found.

kjv@Micah:4 > > RandyP :

An interesting mix of what is and what will be. It is almost a here is what one it will be one day therefore suffer this proposition. Given everything, they certainly deserve what is now, probably deserved it long before this. Given everything that will be, no one - not Israel nor the Gentile nations deserve that, it is only by God's mercy and grace making for truly thankful hearts no doubt.

kjv@Zechariah:3 > > RandyP :

The Angel of the Lord and Satan stand near Joshua the high priest. The Angel intends to change the filthy clothes of the priest (cleansing) and alter his mitre (position of authority). The Branch (Messiah) will remove the iniquity of the land in one day. Satan not only knows the plan but, is powerless to stop it. (some details as to the stone tsk@Zechariah:3:9)

kjv@Zechariah:7 > > RandyP :

The command seemed simple enough, to execute true judgment, show mercy, oppress not. To do these things as an individual is one thing; as a nation quite another. When the Lord cried out they would not hear. Now that they are crying out the Lord seems to not hear. What was so hard about the command? The answer may be within. Now they fast in the fifth month these many years, but, is it to the Lord they fast or to themselves? They send men to inquire of the prophet, but, is it for the truth or to bend God's ear? Why should He listen if they do not listen? Why should He do for them when they intend to do plenty for themselves only as well? Worship is not about doing better for yourself. It is not about bending His will around yours. It is not Him plucking you out of the pit that you've dug yourself so that you can run along to dig yet another. Worship is about Him, it is about what you most value, what you are most willing to serve. One cannot perform the command without the deepest reverence and worship towards Him who wants you first to listen. And to best do that one must do this worship as a nation. That is what is so hard.

kjv@Zechariah:9 > > RandyP :

The Christ King will not only be King of Judah but of all the earth. When He comes He will come with salvation already in His hands, already achieved having once been lowly and riding a colt, having spoken peace to the heathen, now thundering to defend and save His flock, to devour and subdue His enemies. How great His goodness How great His beauty

kjv@Zechariah:12 > > RandyP :

Jerusalem is a cup of trembling to all around it. Seeing what the Lord has done makes it as a burdensome stone. Seeing what the Lord has done makes them fearful in themselves. Those that burden themselves with it are cut in pieces. From this point of world view, imagine how astonished they will be when the Lord puts it all back together, when Judah and Ephraim and the house of David again for no humanly reason becomes His power and might. In the midst of a spirit of grace and supplication there will be a mourning in Jerusalem for the one, the only Son, they had pierced.

kjv@Malachi:2 > > RandyP :

One can almost sense what religion has become to them; an alter to shed their tears upon. I suppose that tears are well and fine but, what about the wholesomeness of their offering? If all one does is cry and complain and petition and yet goes about their lives in the same sinful way, making dirty offerings with dirty hearts and hands, what good is this religion? The two parts make one whole. It is not just emoting your fears about what concerns come against you, it is how the strength of the Lord is always sufficient. It is not just this sacrifice you made or that offering you gave, it is about the sacrifice that He made and you wholehearted submission and faithfulness to living in it. One without the other is a means of dealing treacherously with self and master. When religion is only a crying alter, the alter becomes more and more a place where everyones evil is declared as good. This treacherous form of religion wearies the Lord. The fear is best placed in His judgment and not just His pity.

kjv@Genesis:3:1-5 > > RandyP :

A great many things are given and allowed in the garden. One simple thing is not. It is the one thing that often occupies our mind. People are to some extent defined by what they can't have, by what is forbidden just as they are defined by the fear of death. Not only is there what is forbidden, there is what is threatened, and there is someone readily willing to deceive.

kjv@Genesis:4 > > RandyP :

Did you notice that Abel and Cain were offering sacrifices, but, men did not call on the name of the Lord until Enos? What men? Were there others? Remember that incest at this time was not forbidden, logically it was the only way for these people to reproduce. Notice that sisters of Cain and Abel and Seth are not recorded, there may have been many (perhaps in modern terms 7 to 1 or more). Seeing how quickly Cain's numbers grew, Abel's could have been just as quick, along with Seth's. Given the either of these brothers could have had any number of other unrecorded brothers the human race could have grown quite quickly. Only later when incest was not needed and began producing genetic flaws was it legalized against.

kjv@Genesis:5 > > RandyP :

We see proof immediately that God is being selective about who is being recorded in these genealogies, not everyone is being listed, only those important to the progression of the particular history being told. We have seven generations lined up already just in the people He wants us to know meaning that there can be plenty of people on the earth by the time of Noah.

kjv@Genesis:6:3 > > RandyP :

There are two ways of interrupting this 120 year limit; that individual men will generally live no longer than 125 years or that mankind as it was known in that day specifically only had 120 years left before the flood. As a few men have out lived this if it is a mandated limit and many have lived far less, I believe it to be a time frame for the flood. We should count the years to find out.

kjv@Genesis:9:22-24 > > RandyP :

The language or translation seems to be holding something back here. If Ham only saw (caught a glimps), why does it say Noah knew what the younger son had done to him? There was some type of violation or deeper shame committed to warrant the severe curse that followed. In seeing it may be in how he saw and in telling it may be in how/what he told his brothers. Or else it may be something worse.

kjv@Genesis:19 > > RandyP :

A whole range of human reactions come forth from this catastrophic event. There is no telling how you or I would react given such frantic and out of control a situation. We tend to judge Lot and his wife and his daughters and son's in law by a story line only we now are privy to see. No doubt each and every one of them could have reacted better, but, this is what happens to us when situations explode and judgments are laid down.

kjv@Genesis:23 > > RandyP :

A mighty prince amongst us. Notice how the people of that land viewed Abraham. No doubt Abraham was blessed from above and therein a blessing to others. Even strangers could sense that of him. They were not only willing to sell land for a burial plot, they were willing rather to give it and protect it a great many years after. He was a man of tremendous faith, imagine how that carried through his daily dealings and business with others. Sarah had lived to be 127 years, almost 40 years after birthing Isaac. If Abraham was a prince, then she was a princes.

kjv@Genesis:25:34 > > RandyP :

We have a spiritual birth right similar to what is discussed in this passage. Any number of us at any number of times have sold our rights for mere morsels of common bread and drink thus in effect despising our birth right. What is the intellectual make up of this? Could it be our narrow perception of our Father's love and wealth? What this birthright means? Could it be our own appetites? Is it that we feel that in the long run we have no right or that our right is somehow ordained to be given another? Some would say in this case 'didn't God make it so?' to which I reply 'didn't God foresee?'. In Jesus we not only have the opportunity to be born again but, also to be born into an inheritance of saints. Where does this heavenly birthright stand with you today?

kjv@Genesis:26 > > RandyP :

We are not told what religious background Isaac is journeying amongst, but, see that it believes in the sanctity of marriage and that God curses certain behaviors/situation and blesses others. They are spiritually alert enough to see that they blessing is on Isaac as it was with Abraham. They first fear the extent to which he is being blessed and send him out only later to have a greater tolerance for him. Famine can be a scary thing as well. Through the blessing of the Lord however, famine can be a time of great investment and return. With a hundred fold crop during a famine ya you'd have to say it was God's blessing.

kjv@Genesis:35:10 > > RandyP :

His name is being changed from Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (he will rule as God). It not only marks a change in the present perception but, in the goal or direction spiritually for him to follow. Name changes were more common in that day and notated the turning over of a new leaf.

kjv@Matthew:5:13-16 > > rpritts :

Believers in Jesus 'are' this by no work of their own therefore they should continue to 'be' this. Should we abide in this (His completed work and grace) we will by nature produce worshipful works to His glory and praise, good works preordained that we should walk in. Should we step outside of that by again striving for selfish favor or personal salvation, though we 'are' salt our salt loses it's savor, though still light our light becomes hid. This is not a permanent situation if we repent and get back on course, it is a permanent situation only if we insist on trying to produce our own works towards salvation/favor.

kjv@Genesis:39 > > RandyP :

The Lord's favor is always good even though it may not at present be observed as so. How other people react can cause the recipient trouble. Not only has his jealous brother sold him into slavery, his masters wife has sold him into prison. Joseph takes it all in stride believing in the Lord, thankful for the favor. Again he receives the Lord's favor in prison but, notice that the favor does not deliver him immediately from prison. Where His favor is leading us may be a lengthy process start to finish and involve tests of courage, obedience, and or patience. It is tremendous favor none the less.

kjv@Matthew:5:29-30 > > RandyP :

Neither the eye nor the hand have the will/resource to commit adultery; it is only the heart that can entrap/offend. Removing a limb will not remove the will/imagination of the heart it would only restrict the will from receiving the visual input or accomplishing the physical task (a slight improvement), the heart would still have it's invention (perhaps more so). The understanding is in the value of reaching heaven which is even more than life or limb and the necessity of fighting the lusts of the heart straight on.

kjv@Matthew:5:31-32 > > RandyP :

mypad:FaithOfJesus kjv@Matthew:5:31-32 BUT I SAY UNTO - The common understanding again falls short. The purpose of a writ of divorce isn't only to protect the wife, it is to curb the effectual adultery that would result. If either spouse is unchaste then adultery is made. If both spouses are being chaste but have grown tired and loveless therewith adultery will be made should either take a new partner. We are not released from an eternal vow just because we want it to be unless the defilement of the vow by the one has forced the God fearing decision of the other. We are seeing the weakness of the Law in that it is interpreted and implemented by the human heart that is already deeply influenced by sin. The human heart at it's sincere best is searching from the inside out to see what God may have meant by the commandment. The faith of Jesus is looking from the outside in, knowing as the Father would know, looking in on the injured and entrapped heart knowing it's faulty logic and reprobate reasoning.

kjv@Exodus:5:2 > > RandyP :

They are testing the waters of Pharaoh's with a much smaller thing, a three day prayer fest in the wilderness. Pharaoh's decision is not only based upon the request of the Hebrews, but, his image and perception of their God. In a sense he is absolutely right to ask who is this god and why should I obey him.

kjv@Exodus:10:20 > > RandyP :

Hardness can be the mere thought of the Lord, what the Lord represents, what the Lord expects one to do. Once of this mind, anything said or done, even suggested, only goes to harden all the more. This Lord represents something other than what Pharaoh wants a lord to represent. His lords expect little from him other than to stand firm like their statues against any other. Reasoning and tangible proofs have little effect.

kjv@Exodus:14:11 > > RandyP :

The Lord had told Moses what was to happen. The question is whether Moses told the people. We are not told. God did not say 'tell my people'. It would be interesting (though maybe speculative) to ask how the people would have reacted if Moses had told them; probably much the same reaction. The point either way would have been that the Lord has to be trusted. Knowing or not knowing the details often in advance has little to do with our acceptance and willingness to undergo what must happen. This is a space that only trust, even trust in great big unimaginable miracles can fill.

kjv@Exodus:14:31 > > RandyP :

The emphasis of the word fear is not only on the sheer terror of this event but also on the reverence toward the controller of of such uncontrollable elements. That this happened in the manner that it happened for the people who were in this moment could only have been the hand of God. For us who now read of this event there is intellectual wiggle room and physical detachment from these occurrences that these many witnesses were not privy to. It is interesting to see how in the coming hours/days how this fear/reverence too wore down; a testament to the tendencies of the self justifying human reprobate will.

kjv@Exodus:16:4 > > RandyP :

Have you ever wondered if the dry spell that you are going through now is a time where God is seeing whether you will obey His command or not? There may be a section of time in advance where your expectations are not met when you begin to murmur. And maybe you think you are murmuring at somebody (a boss or a spouse a pastor) but, really you are murmuring of God. The problem may be in your expectations. Then there is a second phase where God in His wisdom has provided an answer for you. Again it may not be what you expected; instead it is an intermediary answer as in this case to see if you will perform the steps mandated in the frame of heart that is needed. Again the problem comes with one's expectation. When following the deliverance of God one must expect that our own expectations and His may differ grossly. His offering may not be the final answer all at once, it may be a series of processes that lead us to His ultimate answer. In our own personal wilderness experience, not only do we need learn to trust/depend on Him, to be thankful for anything when do or do not have, but, also to obey what He has impressed upon us to obey.

kjv@Exodus:16:35 > > RandyP :

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but, it was forty years of Manna only because of their disobedience and lack of trust. Since the chapter began with God wanting to prove whether they would obey or no, we should know that almost immediately from outset onward the answer was no. For the manna obedience was somewhat locked in, it would spoil overnight and not grow on Sabbath. For the many other things God was doing the obedience was more voluntary. You have to remember also that these people were in a desert isolated from foreign influences and still had these disobedient tendencies. Is our nature any different? Where do we stand in our proving yet today?

kjv@Exodus:17 > > RandyP :

There is a danger when a single individual is used as mightily as Moses that the people follow the person and not the Lord. The odder turn is that they don't seem to follow the Lord unless there be a mighty leader. The truest statement is possibly that they don't generally follow the Lord period and the individual is only complained and plotted against. In the wilderness they could not provide for themselves, that was the point. But, did they come to depend on their own contact and relationship withe the Lord or did they depend upon another's. Today, we are much the same depending the faith and workings of our leaders rather than our personal faith and the Lord's bountiful resources.

kjv@Exodus:18 > > RandyP :

The Lord instructs us Himself one to one. He instructs through the counsel of others as well. Moses had taken too much upon himself. Not only was it bad for his health and endurance it was bad for the people he was trying to lead. Notice that the Lord did not tell him this, the Lord used his father in law. The Lord did not object. Perhaps Moses had been praying for an answer but was too busy/distracted to listen for it. Perhaps the Lord had told him but, he did not receive it for some reason. Maybe the Lord choose this method from the beginning to develop Moses in the areas of friendship and counsel that he needed developed himself. Regardless, the point for us to take is the importance of counsel, of grooming trust relationships, of allowing opportunity to receive, of being able to compare and line up with the known word of God and correctly decide. Not just any counsel mind you, not just the advice we want to hear, the right godly counsel.

kjv@Matthew:11:25-30 > > RandyP :

Who does the Son reveal His Father to? Those who come to the Son toiling and heavy ladden in the convicting burdens of sin. Once relieved of such burden, having taken on His yoke humbly and with meekness, shouldering a sample of His burden, then one comes to know the Father. Such immense time released revelation is only by exchanging our burden for His Son's and carrying His Son's burden forward. It is not any other way around. The so called wise and prudent systematically avoid to see this.

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