(to build up from the foundation)
(ok-ko-do-meh'-o)
of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NASB)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Enemies Within the Camp
1BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
2For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
3[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
4[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
5For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
6For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.
7[These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.
8Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to and resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to and oppose the Truth. They have depraved and distorted minds, and are reprobate and counterfeit and to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.
9But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those [magicians mentioned].
10Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
11Persecutions, sufferings--such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].
13But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.
14But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them],
15And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
16Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),
17So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. - (2 Timothy 3:1-17 - Amplified Bible)
(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)
Monday, September 07, 2009
Proverbs 6 - in the Amplified Bible
1MY SON, if you have become security for your neighbor, if you have given your pledge for a stranger or another,
2You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth.
3Do this now [at once and earnestly], my son, and deliver yourself when you have put yourself into the power of your neighbor; go, bestir and humble yourself, and beg your neighbor [to pay his debt and thereby release you].
4Give not [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids;
5Deliver yourself, as a roe or gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!--
7Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest.
9How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?
10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep--
11So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].
12A worthless person, a wicked man, is he who goes about with a perverse (contrary, wayward) mouth.
13He winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs [to mislead and deceive] and teaches with his fingers.
14Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it.
15Therefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
16These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
17A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
20My son, keep your father's [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you].
21Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.
22When you go, they [the words of your parents' God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.
23For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a loose woman.
25Lust not after her beauty in your heart, neither let her capture you with her eyelids.
26For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares [as with a hook] the precious life [of a man].
27Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?
28Can one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?
29So he who cohabits with his neighbor's wife [will be tortured with evil consequences and just retribution]; he who touches her shall not be innocent or go unpunished.
30Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;
31But if he is found out, he must restore seven times [what he stole]; he must give the whole substance of his house [if necessary--to meet his fine].
32But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks heart and understanding (moral principle and prudence); he who does it is destroying his own life.
33Wounds and disgrace will he get, and his reproach will not be wiped away.
34For jealousy makes [the wronged] man furious; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance [upon the detected one].
35He will not consider any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment]; neither will he be satisfied, though you offer him many gifts and bribes.
(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)