1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

Summary: Thessaloniki a major trade city under the governing of the great Marc Anthony. Paul stopped here on his way to Athens for a few weeks. After leaving he was a bit worried about how the small church was fairing in the large trade city. Sending Timothy to check up Paul finds out there where a
few things he needed to address. This letter was the corrective guidance. This is what I discovered:

Things I Noticed:

1. Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in part and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. (The word comes with Conviction.)
2. So we speak not to please man, but to place God who tests our hearts.
3. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness. (We do not come with slick gimmicks or promises.)
4. We worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (They asked for no money or collection plate.)
5. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
6. The Lord is an avenger. (Take that Iron Man.)
7. God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
8. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (Fallen Asleep means dead.)
9. That we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
10. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  (End time prophecy.)
11. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (What cost will that peace and security come at?)
12. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let use keep awake and be sober. (Let us not acts as if we are dead but alive and focused.)
13. Having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (More armor something to compare to Ephesians.)
14. For God has not destined us for wrath.
15. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything: hold fast what is good. Abstain from every evil.

Taking the sights and sounds of Thessaloniki I will be here for a bit since. Number is still what I am meditating on. My birthday just passed and it was celebrated well with my wife. The next part of my Journey takes me to here so relax and enjoy with me.
Till we meet again, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Colossians

Colossians 

Summary: Colossae was quaint situated by a small river on the to Ephesus and south of Laodicea. The church here was not started by Paul but received letters from him none-the-less. It was in this town that some Pagan influence had found there way into the Christian practice specifically that of elemental spirits and angels. This letter goes on to encourage and defend Christ's divinity and ultimate authority. Take a look at what I found:

Things I Noticed:

1. Asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
2. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but, now revealed to his saints.
3. Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (This is where I would put evolution as well as Gnosticism.)
5. Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him.
6. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind. (All these things Paul says don't let it disqualify you with I have seen in Catholicism. So do them, some do not. Just an observation.)
7. You died to the elemental spirits of this world.
8. Set you minds on things that are above,  not on things that are on earth.
9. Put to then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassions, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... And above all these put on love.
10. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (The Lord's prayer referenced here.)
11. Wives, submit to your husband, as it is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
12. Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, least they become discouraged. (This is the second time Paul warns of provocation and children. I feel both warnings are ignored when a father abandons his children.)
13. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
14. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (This seems not to be practiced these days.)

As I sit next to the River here in Colosea I am reminded of Tulsa. I spent many days and afternoons staring at the river in Oklahoma. Here I was a bit more productive reading Numbers instead. My study of it is coming quickly to a close. The next part of my Journey takes me to Thessaloniki I will give you more of the Good News when I get there. Journey on my friends. Till we meet again
, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Philippians

Philippians 

Summary: Philippi is an interesting city small colonial mining town unlike the previous cities I visited here the church started as a meek and small house of prayer. Wealthy from the mines it still held small being called little Rome due to the strict enforcement of the laws. The people tell stories of Paul's visit and the demon girl who was freed. They also talk about him being beaten and jailed, the earthquake followed, Paul staying and converting the jailer is also still of note to the people. I read Paul's letter to them and here is what I gleaned:

Things I Noticed:

1. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
2. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (This verse was important enough for me to tattoo it on my back in the original greek.)
3. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
4. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
6. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
7. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

8. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
9. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
10. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
11. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
12. Do whatever Honorable, Just, Pure, Lovely, Commendable,  Excellence,  and Worthy Of Praise.
13.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


Still reading the book of Numbers I can say the book has gotten interesting with Balaam and Korah. It is rather arid and hot here in Philippi. Still I love praying and here it can be said is the home of the House of Prayer movement.  I am headed to Colossians next wish me luck on the road and protection from Brigands. As I journey I will continue to commit to my studies. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Ephesians

Ephesians

Summary: With rich and trouble history Ephesus was the second only to Rome in splendor in Paul's time. The study of magic, the huge temple of artemis, the library of celsus and a huge theatre the splendor of the city was legendary. Paul spent time imprisoned there and wrote to the Corinthians. Later from Rome he wrote this letter of encouragement to them about faith, grace, marriage and spiritual warfare. With vibrant promises and great doctrinal thoughts it is one of my favorite epistles. Here is what I saw: 

Things I Noticed:

1. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
2. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
3. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints
4. God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him
5. Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (In some translation they are called sons of lawlessness. It means those who ignore or purposefully transgress against God's law.)
6. By grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
7. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
8. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
9. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (This statement is amazing because it shows that we have direct access to the creator of all. No need of a priest or pastor just our words.)

10. So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11. Strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
12. Being rooted and ground in love.
13. What is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. (God's love is like exploring the depths of the oceans or the infinity of the cosmos.)
14. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
15. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (The following verse speaks on no longer being children and should be sought out and meditated on whole with this verse.)
16. When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
17. Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!
18. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Love this verse BE ANGRY Rawr! ... but sin not. A mystery but not if God shows you the truth behind it.)
19. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
20. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
21. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (How often have I in the past been apart of a conversation filled with innuendo for filth amongst the brethren. The more one searched out the word the more accountable one feels if the Spirit is in you.)
22. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
23. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Men of God HARKEN unto this verse. That means perk your ears up and pay close attention.)
24. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
25. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
26. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
27. I could list the full armor of God but you should really read this book.

As I stare at the ports of Ephesus my mind drifts back to the book of Numbers. It is filled with such interesting interactions with God and the grumbling peopleof Israel. The book is a real eye opener to God's personality.  I am headed to Philippi next carrying another later for dear Paul to read to the brethren. As I journey I will continue to commit to my studies.
Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Galatians

Galatians

Summary: In the highlands of Asia Minor sat the descendants of the Celts in the Roman Empire. It was in these lands Paul planted on of his first churches early on his apostolic journey. This letter to the was to address the issue of force Jewish law on gentile converts. (Refer to Acts 11-12&15.) Filled with sound reason and an understanding of faith this letter hold a stern correction but a stark reason. Take a look at what I saw:

Things I Noticed:

1. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever, Amen.

2. If I were still trying please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 

3. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through revelation of Christ.

4. Remember the poor

5. For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself a transgressor.

6. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.

7. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 

8. Now it is evident that no one is justified  before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."

9. With a man-made covenant, no one annuals it or adds to it once it has been ratified. (This is so not true anymore.)

10. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. 

11. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

12. If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring.

13. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

14. For through the the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly await for hope of righteousness. 

15. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by on another. (How often does the occur to the wounded or fallen amongst us)

16. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. 

17. Works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy,drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

18. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

19. Brothers, if anyone is caught in spiritual transgression, you should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. (That is to say don't ostracize, ban, attack or ignore those who fall but restore.)

20. Keep watch on yourselves. Least you be tempted.

21. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Burdens, bills, hardship helping one another should come naturally.)

22. Let each one test his own work.(let the wise have God test it also.)

23. God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 

24. Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

25. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

26. For I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. (Is Paul talking of Stigmata or the scars from his many trials have brought.)

Passing through Galatia I head by myself to Ephesus. There is a hope in my step as I know the city is filled with magic and intrigue. That men spiritual warfare and faith. As I travel on I enjoy s strong cup of tea as continue my study of numbers. I will arrive soon. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

II Corinthians

II Corinthians

Summary: It seemed that thesis to Corinth's wealth and trade the Christians could not find steady footing in their faith. By the time Paul wrote this letter it appears he had sent others chastising them including the "letter of tears." Though in his first letter to Corinth had  addressd sex, marriage, idolatry these problems seemed to persist among the brethren of the city. Though my reading I noticed Paul was much harsher in hi discipline yet still re-affirms his love for them.  Still knowing of their persecution Paul looks to encourage as muchas correct.   

Things I Noticed:

1. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the serene of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (Even negative emotion can be used for good.)

2. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 

3. It is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has annointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as guarantee.

4. For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 

5. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

6. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to dispair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 

7. always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life may also manifest in our bodies.

8. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are entenal. 

9. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 

10. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

11. Therefore, we are ambassador for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

12. As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardship, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with weapons of righteuosness for the right and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. 

13. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

14. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness. 

15. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 

16. As you excel in everything-in faith,in speech, in knowledge, in all earness, and in our love for you!-see that you excel in this act of grace also.

17. Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. 

18. The point is this; whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (Giving comes from our heart.)

19. For through we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 

20. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (This can include bad logic, lies, false theories and bad science.)

21. What we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 

22. I preached God's gospel to you free of charge. (Yea he said no charge for truth and love.)

23. For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to thier deeds. 

25. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.

26. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
27. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. (It is our job to create a legacy.)

28. Perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

29. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Paul has sent us to the Celtic Gauls of Galatia. I hear there highlands are beautiful. We carry a letter for the people who took care of Paul while he was ill. Timothy sees excite but insists the we continue out study of numbers. The book is my least favorite of the Tenach but ever word of God caries wisdom that the Holy Spirit can reveal. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.

Leviticus

Leviticus

Summary: The tabernacles has been made and the Priest have been consecrated. So what is the priest job description? How shall we cover our sins? What is an abomination to God?  Leviticus fills in all of the gaps. In the desert, with an ark, tabernacle, ten commandments and the a promise of taking the promised land this is some of laws that separated the Hebrew people from those who had found ill-repute with the Lord.

Things I Noticed:

1. You shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord.
2. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
3. You eat neither fat nor blood.
4. If anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it , and he realizes his guilt in any of these.
5. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. 
6. It is tainted, and he who eats of it shall bear his iniquity
7. Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated.
8. The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering. 
9. Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all people I will be glorified.
10. You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and clean. 
11. For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. 
12. That it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.
13. So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore.
14. For the life of the flesh is in the blood.
15. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is life.
16. You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion. 
17. So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practice before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God. 
18. You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God is holy.
19. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
20. You shall love your neighbor as your self; I am the Lord
21. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. 
22. You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord. 
23. Do not turn to mediums or wizard's; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them. 
24. You shall treat the strangers who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord you God.  
25. If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Yes God sees it as an abomination.)
26. A man or a woman who is a medium or wizard shall surely be put to death.
27. He shall not go into a dead body (No necrophilia.) 
28. The land shall not be sold in perpetuity for the land is mine.
29. I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.

Corinth is a nice place but I am ready to move on, but God wants me to stay for a bit longer. While I am here I decided to read Numbers. Till then I am working on patients and studying God's creation around me. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.