December 13 - Evening
""Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you."
- James 4:7-8
Marching Orders from James
James strings together ten imperatives in verses 7-10 of chapter four that resemble military commands demanding action. The first three are:
- Submit to God
- Resist the devil
- Come near to God
“Submit” is a compound verb hupotagete made of hupo, “under,” and tasso, “to order, to place, to station.” Used here in the imperative this is demanding that the believers willing take their place under the authority of God. The readers must do it since God is not forcing obedience.
“Resist” is the Greek word histemi, “to stand,” with anti, “against” used as its preface. Together these form a military action of antistete, “to stand against,” or “resist.”
Klesis (Gr) - Call (Eng) - klesis is Greek word used since the the 700's BC by Homer as an invitation to someone's house for a meal or a feast. The New Testament uses klesis as an invitation or a calling to salvation.
Do I respond to God's call and invitation to, not only salvation, but to mature and serve in the super-natural source of his Holy Spirit?
I will listen and accept God's invitation to be saved, to grow in faith and to minister to the world and his church of believers.
I will listen and accept God's invitation to be saved, to grow in faith and to minister to the world and his church of believers.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Ask for Godly counsel and friends
Church
Perseverance in service to saints
Nation
Cultural values
World
Uzbekistan - believers increase in the face of opposition.
Someone to Quote
"It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself." - Thomas Jefferson
Something to Ponder
India is mentioned in Esther 1:1 when it says,
"This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush (Ethiopia)."
"This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush (Ethiopia)."
Here’s a Fact
Ahab is mentioned several times in First Kings and Second Chronicles, but Israel's King Ahab is also mentioned on the Kurkh Monolith which describes six years of Assyrian king Shalmaneser reign from 859-824. This stone monolith that stands over seven feet tall, was found in Kurkh, Turkey. On this monolith Israel's King Ahab is described as leading a large force against Shalmaneser in the Battle of Qarqar at the Syrian city of Qarqar.
Images of the Kurkh Monolith 1, 2. Details 1, 2.
Images of the Kurkh Monolith 1, 2. Details 1, 2.
Proverb
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion."
- Proverbs 11:22
- Proverbs 11:22
Coach’s Corner
Do not compare yourself to others. But, instead be yourself, fulfill your purpose and encourage others.
Genesis 31:38
New International Version (NIV)
38 “I have beeHebrews 6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.
New International Version (NIV)
38 “I have beeHebrews 6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.
Acts 26
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Job 37
New International Version (NIV)
37
“At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
2
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4
After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
5
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7
So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor.
8
The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.
9
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
10
The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
11
He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.
12
At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
13
He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.
14
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.
15
Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
16
Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17
You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18
can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19
“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20
Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21
Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
22
Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.
23
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24
Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
New International Version (NIV)
37
“At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
2
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4
After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
5
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7
So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor.
8
The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.
9
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
10
The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
11
He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.
12
At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
13
He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.
14
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.
15
Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
16
Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17
You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18
can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19
“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20
Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21
Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
22
Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.
23
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24
Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”