The SKV

Hebrews 12

2009-07-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

Gang Warfare from Matthew 20

2009-04-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

“Now listen to this story. A man owned a few blocks in an urban area, so he built a set of apartment buildings there, rented them out and then set managers over each building to keep them up and to collect the rent. Month after month, he sent employees to the managers to collect the proceeds, but the managers shut one out, beat up another, and another disappeared and was never heard from again. Then the owner sent groups of employees to collect his proceeds, and this started a gang war, but it didn’t get him a single dime. So then the owner sent his son figuring that the sight of him would cause the managers to reconsider their actions. But seeing the owner’s son at the door, the managers decided quickly that if the son was out of the way, the owner, being old and feeble, there being no one to care for the property after him, would just wither and fade away. So they grabbed the son, took him out of the city and killed him, leaving his body exposed to the elements. So let me ask you, what do you think the owner will do to those managers?”

One answered, “He will call the police?”

Everyone listening to this laughed.

Then another said, “In his fury, he will do to those evil managers exactly what they did to him. He will kill them all and give the management to someone who will give to him what he deserves.”

Jesus replied, “You are correct. So what is your problem? Haven’t you read in the Word, ‘The one whom the leaders rejected as a criminal has been chosen as the king of them all—and this is an amazing thing to see’? God’s nation will be taken away from you and given to a people who will give Him the proceeds he requires.”

Letter To The Evangelicals (Rev. 2)

2009-02-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation.

To the Power which rules over the congregation of Jesus’ people, the Evangelicals:

This is from the King, who rules over God’s stars, the Powers that stand before God.
This is from the High Priest of the congregations, who brings the prayers of the people of God to God’s throne.

I know all that you have done for Me, all of your service. I know that you have upheld my name despite those who deny me. I know that you won’t put up with false teachers, but test every so called “apostle” or “prophet” or “teacher” that comes in my name. Some you have found to be untrue, denying Me, and you have rightly labeled them “heretics”. I know that some have attacked you because of your stand for me, and yet you are ready to continue to be standing on my behalf.

But there is a serious issue that I take stand against you: You have walked away from the love you initially lived out. You would be kind to all my brothers, helping the weak, and now you deny them, and so you deny Me. You have forsaken your love for the needy and so forsaken Me.

Correct yourself. Remember the acts you did previously and do them again. If you do not, I will take you from God’s presence and your prayers will not be heard. Heaven will become a ceiling to you, unless you renew your love.

Admittedly, you are opposed to the “Victorious People”, whom I am opposed to as well.
If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.
The conquering heroes will receive fruit from the tree of life and so obtain eternal bliss in the paradise of God.

Letter to the Underground Church In China (Rev. 2)

2009-02-05T21:24:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of God’s people underground in China:

I am the ruler of all things from the least to the greatest.And I am the one who was killed unjustly, but God vindicated me by raising me from the dead.

O My people, I know your great suffering and your poverty in the sight of all around you— Yet, here with Me, you have great wealth!

I know about the traditionalists, the so-called “congregation of God” who speak terrible slander about You. But they are not of God’s congregation, but Satan’s.
Don’t be afraid of your suffering—that which you have received nor what is coming. The Great Liar and Evil Prosecutor is going to throw some of you into prison for a limited period of time. This is done to test your faith.

If you remain true to me—even to death—then I will give you the reward of life that never ends.

If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.

The Victor may die, but won’t be touched by the death which comes at the judgment of all people.

Letter To The Church of Washington D.C. (Rev. 2)

2009-02-05T21:23:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of God’s people in Washington D.C.:

This is a message from He whose sword—the Word of Power—cuts both against the world and the people of God.

I know the difficulties you face, and that you live in the city of Satan’s throne, where people worship politics as the replacement of God. But you did not deny me, even in the days of Martin Luther King, my witness who faithfully spoke the truth, who was killed by Satanic forces.

But I hold these things against you:

The teaching of Balaam, who taught Barak how to compromise the people of God by seducing them and leading them into false worship, is rampant among you. I have taught to love your enemies and you teach that killing your enemies at times is justified. I have taught that the least shall be the greatest, but you uphold the boasters, not the humble. I have taught to seek God’s kingdom, but you teach to seek the kingdom of this world.

You also adhere to the teachings of those who advocate compromise with the government of the world, so that the church can have success in this life.
You need to turn away from compromise of all kinds. If you stand with the world, then when I come to judge the world, I will judge you as well. Only those who remain steadfast in me, in opposition to the ways and powers of the world, will remain standing on the final day, for I will cut down every compromiser with the word of my mouth.

If you have an ear, hear what God says to His people.

The steadfast, victorious one will receive the loaves and fishes from my hand. That one will receive the “not guilty” verdict from the jury of the council of heaven.

Letter To the Baptist Church (Rev. 2)

2009-02-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of Baptists:

This is what the Father of your country says who wears a white robe, bare feet and has the power of heaven:

I know how powerful your work for the kingdom is. I know your love for my people, your remaining in my ways, that you have served the community well and the fact that you’ve stuck by me in hard times. You are a great collection of my people!
However, I have something which I hold against you:

You have completely accepted the Jezebel in your midst, who comes to you as a teacher and has encouraged you to worship other gods. She encourages you to worship the god of Mammon, to find your security in your wealth. She encourages you to worship the god of Employment, to find your salvation in working for another. She encourages you to worship the god of Government, to find your hope in all that politics can offer you. And her servants openly worship these other gods.
I have given her an opportunity to repent, but she has refused—she still openly teaches and promotes these other gods. I will cause her to become sick, so she can mingle with the demons of judgment for a while. And everyone who followers her will catch the same sickness, and some will even die. Then every congregation will know that I am the One who knows the intents of all, but judges each person on their actions.

If you have not participated in the honoring of false gods, then you need have no fear of judgment. If you have not pursued the “deep truths”, which actually comes from the enemy, then please just keep doing what you have been.
The Victor is the one who acts like me until the end, and that one will watch as I take over every power and every human realm and I crumple them like a piece of paper and toss them aside as garbage is thrown away. And that one will share in my authority over heaven and earth.

Whoever has an ear, pay attention to what God tells his people.

Letter To The Anglican Church (Rev. 3)

2009-02-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of the World Anglican Church:

From the Authority over all the churches, and who has authority over God’s eyes and arm:

I have seen what you really do in the world. I know how everyone honors you and talks about how lively, important and powerful you are. But you aren’t alive at all, but dead. You are made up of only reputation, not life. Remember your past—how you focused on my word. You heard it, accepted it, kept it alive and changed your life because of it. So I warn you—be ready! I am coming for you to make a determination about you and you have no idea when, like a mugger at night.

Not all of you Anglicans, however, have defecated upon yourselves. They live my life in sincerity and deserve to be rewarded, not just because they have a good name.

The one who is victorious over their own desires and compromise will be presented before God in pure, holy clothes. Their name will not just be their reputation, but it will be written in the book of Life. Their name will not be sullied by the world, but I will declare it before my Father and all the hosts of heaven.

Whoever has an ear, pay attention to what God tells his people.

Letter to the Church at Orissa (Rev. 3)

2009-02-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregation of Orissa:

This is from the Speaker of Truth, the Holy One in the presence of the Great Judge, the Gatekeeper of heaven, who opens to some and shuts to others:

I know what you have done, and the door to heaven is open to you and no one can shut it. This is due to the fact that you have little influence on the earth—no one will support you at all. Yet you have remained true to me and you continue to teach my word and have not denied me, even one bit. Yes, there are those who claim to be of God, and persecute you in God’s name, but they are not of God, but deniers of the Reality. I will act against them, persecuting them from heaven as they persecute you on earth, and they will come and bow down to you, requesting your help, for they will know that I love you. You have been so faithful to keep my word I will keep you safe in the destruction that will sweep the whole of the earth. Others will be tested as to their faithfulness—you have already been tested. I come to you quickly. Stay in the path you have not yet strayed from so that no one can take away your reward at the end of the journey.

The one who claims victory over fear of persecutors will be a pillar in God’s temple in heaven. They will never stray from God’s presence, nor be a non-entity in the spiritual places. The victor will have God’s name tattooed upon him and my name. Also, he will be a permanent citizen in Jerusalem—not the Jerusalem of earth, but the city that comes from heaven to reign over the nations.

If anyone has an ear, he should pay attention to what God is telling his people.

Letter To the Church of Prosperity (Rev. 3)

2009-02-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

John, take this dictation:

To the Power of the congregations of Prosperity:

From the One who spoke the truth of what He saw in heaven, the one with integrity and faithfulness, the one who became the beginning of God’s act of setting aside this world in order to make a new one:

I know all that you have done, and you are nothing. You aren’t my enemy, nor are you zealous for Me. You faithfully come to church and sing my praises, and you do nothing with them! I would prefer that you were zealous against me than just proclaiming me and never living it! You are mediocre, and thus you are disgusting to me. I am ready to cast you away from me.

This is because you say, “We are rich! We have obtained everything through faith! We need nothing—not health, not wealth, not power, not prestige. We have it all!” You have no idea how you look in the spiritual realm. I see you before me and you are a beggar: miserable, hand stretched out, crippled, in rags. But you refuse to take what I offer. I offer you true wealth, if you would but surrender your false wealth, but you reject it. I offer you true healing in your soul, but you reject it to take healing of the body. I offer you the proper clothing of righteousness, but you reject it to dress yourself in the sad garments you fill your closets with. I offer you true knowledge and you prefer your blindness. If only you would accept my offer! You stand in public in the most shameful display and I can fix all of your weaknesses!

I love you, and so I will discipline you. I rebuke you now, but only because I really want you to live. Here I am now, I am at the door to your church. I would come in, but you must first repent. Invite me in—who I truly am. And we will truly be family, eating together as brothers, sharing together with the poor.
The one who is victorious over his own wealth and desires, I will grant him to sit on my ruling throne with me. I was victorious through poverty and death—he who follows me in this will be victorious with me.

If anyone has ears, pay attention to what God says to his people.

Matthew 13-- Mustard Seed and yeast

2009-01-14T23:53:00.000-08:00

Jesus told the disciples another story: "God's utopia is like a mustard seed, a tiny seed compared to most other seeds. But a man took that insignificant thing and planted it in his land and he let it grow. And when it grew up fully, it became a sturdy tree so strong that the birds rested in the branches. Even so, you, my disciples, are insignificant and the least. But when the Father and the Spirit are done with you, you shall be strong enough that the nations of heaven will rest comfortably within you."

God's utopia is like a small pinch of yeast which a woman carefully places into four gallons of dough. Then she mixes it all together so that the yeast cannot be seen anymore, yet it has permeated the whole of the flour, so that it has all been transformed.

Parable of the Lover

2009-01-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

Based on the parable of the soils:

A great lover travelled from town to town to court many women. He spoke words of love to all who would listen to him. He wrote notes of love to prudish women who, in their offense, dropped them immediately, and men of the town would pick them up and laugh at them, mocking him.

He spoke tender words to daughters of wealthy businessmen and they swooned and quickly agreed to meet him at night. However, when their fathers found out, they forbid their daughters to go. And because they agreed quickly and didn’t deeply love him, they remained at home.

Other women fell in love with him and promised their heart to him forever, but then they became focused on their families and jobs and so they never had the time to meet with him.

But sometimes his song of love strikes some women’s hearts and they meet with him night after night. And soon the countryside was filled with children of these women in love.

Let me explain to you the parable of the great lover: The lover is the speaker of God’s loving truth to all. When someone hears about God’s utopia, some don’t want to have anything to do with it and are immediately offended by it. Satan then takes God’s word from them and mocks it in their heart. These are the prudish women.

The daughters of businessmen are those who hear God’s truth and are immediately elated by it and accepts it without really considering it—but the word isn’t at the heart of their being. So when difficulties or suffering come to them because of accepting God’s truth, they quickly forget their elation and turn away.

The busy women are those who believe in God’s word with their whole heart, but their daily concerns distract them. Their jobs, their families, and a need for greater wealth and security distract them away from the word. Soon, the word becomes small in their heart and they never actually do what it says, although they had every intention to.

The women in love, though, are those who hear about God’s utopia and embrace the message fully. And then the world is full of the fruit of their love and obedience.

mark 4:1-20-- Parable of the Soils

2009-01-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

And again he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd gathered to him so that he embarked on a boat to sit down in the sea and all the crowd was on the land by the sea. And he was teaching them with many parables and he said to them in his teaching,

"Listen! Behold a planter came out to plant. And as he was sowing, it so happened that some fell by the road and the birds came and ate them. And others fell upon the rocky place where it did not have much earth and it immediately sprouted up because it did not have deep earth. And when the sun had risen it was scorched and because it did not have root, it withered. And another fell in the thorns and the thorns came up and choked it and it gave no fruit. And others fell upon the good earth and coming up and growing, it gave fruit and brought in thirty and sixty and a hundred."

And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

And when he was alone, those about him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those outside everything is in parables, in order that seeing they may see and not see and hearing they hear and do not understand or else they might turn back and they are forgiven."

And he said to them, "Don't you know this parable? Then how will you know all the parables?

“The planter plants the word. And these are those by the road: where the word is sown and when they should hear immediately Satan comes and takes the word which was planted in them. And these are those planted upon the rocky places: who, when they should hear the word immediately they receive it with joy, and having no root in them but are not long, then there is suffering or persecution because of the word, immediately they are scandalized. And others are those planted in the thorn plants: These are those who hearing the word and the concerns of the age and the deception of wealth and the desires concerning other things enter in choke the word and they are without fruit. And those are those planted in the good soil: Who hear the word and receive and bear fruit in thirty and sixty and a hundred.”

SKV 1—

Pay attention now. There was a farmer who planted seed in the spring. Some of the seed was put by the roadside, where the ground was hard and the birds ate up all that seed. Other seed fell on rocky soil where the soil was shallow. Because of that shallow soil, the seed sprouted quickly, but when the heat of the sun beat against the plant, it weakened, and because the plant didn’t have deep roots, it withered and died. Some of the seed fell in the midst of dense weeds, which didn’t allow the seedlings enough water. The seedlings grew, but the lack of water didn’t allow them to become full plants and there was no produce. Other seeds reached good soil and when it grew, the produce multiplied thirty, sixty and a hundred times as much as the original seed. If you have working hears, pay attention!

His disciples and the twelve waited until he was on his own and then they asked, “Could you please explain your parable?”

He looked at them questioningly, “Don’t you understand this parable? If you don’t understand this one, how will you get any of them?

So, the farmer is the preacher, spreading out God’s word of repentance. There are four types of soil and so four kinds of response to God’s word. The seed by the road are those kinds of folks who have the possibility of hearing and doing something about God’s word, but Satan convinces them immediately that the word is wrong. Then there’s the rocky soil. The word is given to some people who accept it and have a positive, immediate, strong emotional reaction to it. But the word never gets deep in their lives, so their reaction is only temporary. So when suffering or negative reactions to the word come against them, then they turn away from the word. Then there’s the soil with weeds. Some people hear the word, and they accept it, but they are focused on their present needs and concerns—wealth, desires and lusts. So they never actually produce repentance. Then, finally, there are those planted in the good soil. They hear the word, accept it fully and then produce a great abundant life of obedience to the word.”

Who Am I Really?

2008-12-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

Parable of the Virus-- Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

2008-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Translations of Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Another parable he placed to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. But while the man slept, his enemy came and planted weeds in the midst of the wheat and left. So when the plant sprouted and fruit was made, then he saw also the weeds. And the slaves, coming to the landowner, said to him, ‘Lord, didn’t you plant good seed in your field?’ And he said to them, ‘A man of enmity did this.’ And they said to him, ‘Therefore, do you want us, taking up, to seize them?” But he said, “No, don’t seize the weeds, lest you judge them with the wheat. Let them both grow together until the harvest. Then, in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, “Seize first the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them but the wheat congregate in my barn.”’”

Then, leaving the crowds, he went into the house. And the disciples came to him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” And he said to them, “The planter of good seed is the Son of Man and the field is the world and the good seed are the sons of the kingdom. And the weeds are the sons of the evil and the enemy who planted them is the devil and the harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are angels. Therefore, just as the weeds are seized and thrown into the fire, so it is a the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels and they will seize from his kingdom all those who cause stumbling and those who do lawless deeds and throw them into the furnace of fire—there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Jesus told the crowds another story: “God’s utopia is like Bill Gates over Microsoft. He established a whole new version of Windows called ‘Windows Rules!’ which was going to be the premier system operator of all time. However, when Microsoft was closed (the employees DO sleep), Steve Jobs sent some spies in and infected the new operating system with viruses. Then they snuck out, undetected. After a while Windows Rules! went to beta version and all the viruses were discovered—every time the word ‘Windows’ appeared on each line of every text, it was replaced with ‘Apple’. When the Microsoft drones saw this, they went to Bill Gates and said, ‘Great Master, your programming, as always, was without error, was it not?’ Gates responded, ‘Steve Jobs is behind this, I know it!’ They said, ‘Would you like us to re-write every text of the program and take out the name of the accursed Apple?’ Gates said, “No, in my unfathomable wisdom I have discovered that the virus is too insidious—should we erase the “Apples” we will also erase the good text. We have no choice but to wait until the end of the beta test. At that time, I will have my virus hunters create the greatest anti-virus program the universe has ever seen. Then the program will run and every line of virus will be burned in Windows Inferno TM. But the good text will be sent out in Version 2 and they will thrive and make me more money.’”

Having finished his speech, Jesus left the crowds and went to Peter’s house. His private students then asked, “Could you tell us the meaning of your story of the computer virus?” Jesus said, “Certainly. Bill Gates is God’s emperor. The computer is the earth. The Windows Rules text are those who will live in God’s utopia for eternity. The lines of virus are the corrupt who live among God’s people. Steve Jobs is Satan. The beta test is the age we live in now and the final release is the time of God’s utopia. The virus hunters are angels. Just like the virus text is found and eradicated in Windows Inferno TM, so it is at the end of the age. God’s Messiah will send his angels and they will grab every corrupt person in his church—every person who causes God’s people to sin and those who live as if God didn’t tell them how to live. All these will be dragged out of the Emperor’s utopia and thrown to punishment where they will cry out in agony. But the faithful followers of God will thrive in God’s utopia.

Biker Jesus

2008-11-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Speaking of dynamic translations...

Letters to The Churches in America-- Revelation 2

2008-10-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

To the angel which is in the fellowship of Ephesus, write: This says the one who holds the seven stars in his right, He who walks in the middle of the seven lampstands of gold: I know your deeds and your work and your endurance and that you are unable to endure evil and you have put to the test those who call themselves apostles and are not and you found them to be false. And you have endurance and have born because of my name and have not been overburdened. But this I have against you that you have left behind your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the first works. Or else I come to you and move your lamp from it's place unless you repent. But this you have, That you hate the works of the Nikilatians which I also hate. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships. To him who conquers I will give to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.

John, take this dictation.
To the Power which rules over the congregation of Jesus’ people in Colorado Springs:
This is from the King, who rules over God’s stars, the Powers that stand before God.
This is from the High Priest of the congregations, who brings the prayers of the people of God to God’s throne.
I know all that you have done for Me, all of your service. I know that you have upheld my name despite those who deny me.
I know that you won’t put up with false teachers, but test every so called “apostle” or “prophet” or “teacher” that comes in my name. Some you have found to be untrue, denying Me, and you have rightly labeled them “heretics”.
I know that some have attacked you because of your stand for me, and yet you are ready to continue to be standing on my behalf.
But there is a serious issue that I take stand against you: You have walked away from the love you initially lived out. You would be kind to all my brothers, helping the weak, and now you deny them, and so you deny Me. You have forsaken your love for the needy and so forsaken Me.
Correct yourself. Remember the acts you did previously and do them again. If you do not, I will take you from God’s presence and your prayers will not be heard. Heaven will become a ceiling to you, unless you renew your love.
Admittedly, you are opposed to the “Victorious People”, whom I am opposed to as well.
If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.
The conquering heroes will receive fruit from the tree of life and so obtain eternal bliss in the paradise of God.

And to the angel which is in the fellowship of Smyrna write: This says the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: I know your suffering and your poverty, but you are rich, and the blasphemy from those who call themselves Judeans and are not but of the synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast of you into prison in order to test and you will have suffering for ten days. Be faithful unto death and I will give to you the crown of life. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships. He who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

John, take this dictation:
To the Power of the congregation of God’s people in Boston:
I am the ruler of all things from the least to the greatest.
And I am the one who was killed unjustly, but God vindicated me by raising me from the dead.
O My people, I know your great suffering and your poverty in the sight of all around you—
Yet, here with Me, you have great wealth!
I know about the traditionalists, the so-called “congregation of God” who speak terrible slander about You
But they are not of God’s congregation, but Satan’s.
Don’t be afraid of your suffering—that which you have received nor what is coming.
The Great Liar and Evil Prosecutor is going to throw some of you into prison
For a limited period of time.
This is done to test your faith.
If you remain true to me—even to death—then I will give you the reward of life that never ends.
If anyone can hear, then pay attention to the Spirit’s word to the people of Jesus.
The Victor may die, but won’t be touched by the death which comes at the judgment of all people.

And to the angel of the fellowship in Pergamum, write: This says the one who has the sharp two-edged sword: I know where you live, where the throne of Satan is and you hold to my name and did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed from you where Satan lives. But I have against you a few things because you have there some who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have in the same way those who hold to the teaching of the Nikolatians. Therefore repent, or else I come to you quickly and I will wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will give to him the manna which is hidden and I will give to him a white stone and a new name which is written that no one knows except he who receives.

John, take this dictation:
To the Power of the congregation of God’s people in Washington D.C.:
This is a message from He whose sword—the Word of Power—cuts both against the world and the people of God.
I know the difficulties you face, and that you live in the city of Satan’s throne, where people worship politics as the replacement of God. But you did not deny me, even in the days of Martin Luther King, my witness who faithfully spoke the truth, who was killed by Satanic forces.
But I hold these things against you:
The teaching of Balaam, who taught Barak how to compromise the people of God by seducing them and leading them into false worship, is rampant among you. I have taught to love your enemies and you teach that killing your enemies at times is justified. I have taught that the least shall be the greatest, but you uphold the boasters, not the humble. I have taught to seek God’s kingdom, but you teach to seek the kingdom of this world.
You also adhere to the teachings of those who advocate compromise with the government of the world, so that the church can have success in this life.
You need to turn away from compromise of all kinds. If you stand with the world, then when I come to judge the world, I will judge you as well. Only those who remain steadfast in me, in opposition to the ways and powers of the world, will remain standing on the final day, for I will cut down every compromiser with the word of my mouth.
If you have an ear, hear what God says to His people.
The steadfast, victorious one will receive the loaves and fishes from my hand. That one will receive the “not guilty” verdict from the jury of the council of heaven.

And to the angel which is in the fellowship of Thyatira, write: This says the Son of God, who has the eyes as a flame of fire and his feet are like brass. I know your deeds and your love and faithfulness and service and your endurance and your later deeds are greater than the first. But I have against you that you forgive the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and she teaches and leads astray my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat that which is sacrificed to idols. I gave her time so that she would repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold I throw her to a couch and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with death and all the fellowships will know that I am the one who examines the minds and hearts and I will give to each of you according to your deeds. And I say to you, the rest of those in Thyatira, who do not have this teaching, who have not known the "deep things of Satan" as they call them, I put upon you no other burden. But what you take hold of until I come. And he who conquers and he who keeps my deeds until the end I will give to him authority over the nations and he will watch over them with a rod of iron as the vessels of the potter are broken, as I also have received from my Father. And I will give to him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the fellowships.

John, take this dictation:
To the Power of the congregation of Portland:
This is what the Father of your country says who wears a white robe, bare feet and has the power of heaven:
I know how powerful your work for the kingdom is. I know your love for my people, your remaining in my ways, that you have served the community well and the fact that you’ve stuck by me in hard times. You are a great collection of my people!
However, I have something which I hold against you:
You have completely accepted the Jezebel in your midst, who comes to you as a teacher and has encouraged you to worship other gods. She encourages you to worship the god of Mammon, to find your security in your wealth. She encourages you to worship the god of Employment, to find your salvation in working for another. She encourages you to worship the god of Government, to find your hope in all that politics can offer you. And her servants openly worship these other gods.
I have given her an opportunity to repent, but she has refused—she still openly teaches and promotes these other gods. I will cause her to become sick, so she can mingle with the demons of judgment for a while. And everyone who followers her will catch the same sickness, and some will even die. Then every congregation will know that I am the One who knows the intents of all, but judges each person on their actions.
If you have not participated in the honoring of false gods, then you need have no fear of judgment. If you have not pursued the “deep truths”, which actually comes from the enemy, then please just keep doing what you have been.
The Victor is the one who acts like me until the end, and that one will watch as I take over every power and every human realm and I crumple them like a piece of paper and toss them aside as garbage is thrown away. And that one will share in my authority over heaven and earth.
Whoever has an ear, pay attention to what God tells his people.

The Parable of the Labor Ready Workers

2008-10-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

God's coming nation is like an employer who had a large field that was ready for harvest. He goes to Labor Ready at 5am and arranges to hire some laborers for the day. They arrive early in the morning, at 7, and he arranges for their wages to be ten dollars an hour, net. They work all day, content with what they would receive.

Then at ten he goes to Labor Ready again and says he needs more workers. They send him some more.

Then at noon he picks up some folks from the street corner. And he does the same at 3pm.

At 4pm, he wandered to a different street and some some unhired workers who had scraped together enough money for a beer each. He saw them sitting and drinking and asked, "What are you guys doing, just sitting there?" They answered, "We couldn't get work today." He looked disbelieving and said, "Look, my land is right over there. Go and work and I'll pay you what's right." They figured a little bit of wages is better than nothing so they all got up and started working.

At 5pm the day was over and he called all the workers together to receive their wages. He called over the last group first, and gave them each a hundred dollars. They stared, wide-eyed at the money. One of them was about to say something, when his friend shut him up with a look and they all ran out of the field, ready to party.

The workers from Labor Ready thought, "Look at how much those lazy bums got! We are sure to get an excellent bonus!" But when they received their receipts for Labor Ready, they received the same as all the rest-- a hundred dollars.

They complained to the employer, "Hey-- we worked hard all day long and had to suffer in the hot sun. We deserve more money than those Mexicans!"

The employer responded, "Look, I'm giving you just what we agreed to. You were content enough with that earlier. Why should you fault me because I am generous?"

Even so, said Jesus, those who are least important will gain the greatest reward, while those who did the most work for God will feel shafted.

Matthew 20

Anawim Website

2008-10-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

If you've seen my posts in the other blogs about the website, skip this one, BUT

Anawim has a new website!

One of the great things it features is a large section discussing Jesus' teaching on the outcast-- and each and every one of the teachings begins with a portion of the SKV. Interestingly enough, in the first week since publication, I've gotten more comments about the SKV than anything else.

You just never know.

Check it out at www.nowheretolayhishead.org

Thats "No Where To Lay His Head Dot Org"

Working Hard At the Translation

2008-10-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

The Cross Reference Bible

2008-10-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

This is an illustrated example of the cross references that exist in the Bible. Genesis to the left to Revelation to the left.

Study

2008-09-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

Matthew 18:1-10 The Toddler Boss

2008-07-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

In that hour, the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And he called to himself a child, he in their midst and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child like this in my name, receives me. But whoever traps one of these little ones who believe in me, it is good to him that a donkey's millstone be hung around his neck and would be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of traps! For traps necessarily come, yet woe to the man through whom the trap comes. But if your hand or your foot traps you, cut it off and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame than having two hands or two feet be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye traps you, pull it out and throw it from you. It is better for you single-eyed to enter into life than having two eyes to be thrown into the fire of hell. See that you do not disrespect one of these little ones. For I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

At that time, Jesus’ students approached him and asked, “Who gets to be the boss in God’s coming kingdom?” He called over an infant and put him right in the middle of them. He said, “Pay attention now. Unless you become completely transformed and become like a child, you won’t even get through the front door of God’s kingdom. The one who will be boss is the one who will be socially on the level of this toddler. And if you welcome and show hospitality to a child like this, then you are welcoming me. But whoever traps one of the insignificant ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to strap himself to the bottom of the Queen Mary and sink it than what he would suffer as punishment. The world is a terrible place because of traps that make you sin! Yes, it is true, traps are inevitable—but how awful to be the agent of the trap! So if something deeply important to you—as important as one of your limbs!—causes you to stray away from God, get rid of it! It is better for you to be without one of your limbs, but alive, than to be whole but in hell. And if whatever you see causes you to stray away from God, get rid of it! It is better to be half blind but alive than to see everything but end up in hell. And be very careful that you do not disrespect one of my insignificant disciples—for they have a line directly to the throne of God!

Matthew 19-- Divorce

2008-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

And it happened when Jesus completed these words, he left Galilee and went to the territory of Judea across the Jordan and great crowds followed him and he healed them there. And Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife according to whatever cause. And answering, he said, "Haven't you read that He who created from the beginning, he made them male and female? and He said, "Because of this a man will leave the father and the mother and will unite with his wife and the two will be one flesh. Thus they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God puts together a human must not separate.” They said to him, "Why then did Moses command to give a written document of divorce and divorce her?" He said to them, "Because of your stubbornness Moses permitted to you to divorce your wives, however, from the beginning it was not like this. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.

Jesus completed his speech and left Galilee for a time, traveling to Judea, on the East side of the Jordan River. As usual, many crowds gathered to him and he healed many. And, as usual, the Pharisees followed him, and asked him a highly debated question to cause him problems. They asked, “According to Moses’ law, can a husband divorce his wife for any and all reasons?” He answered them, “Haven’t you read your Bible? Moses made it clear that God created all things in the beginning, including humanity which He created male and female. And God said, ‘Because I made humanity into two kinds of beings, the man will leave his father and mother in order to unite with his wife and make a new family, thus the two will make one family.’ Therefore a marriage is not two, but a single unit. So whatever God has fused together, it should never be right for a human to de-fuse, to tear apart into chaos.”

They replied to this, “So why did Moses give us the command of divorce? He said to give the wife a written document and to separate from her?” Jesus said, “Moses knew your hearts. He knew that you would divorce anyway, so he gave you the means of divorce. But God’s ideal from the beginning is not separation but union. Listen carefully, there is only one reason to divorce one’s spouse—adultery, for then the faithless spouse has already broken the union. But anyone who divorces for any other reason and then turns around to marry another person, they have then been faithless to their original marriage and is an adulterer.”

Matthew 21-- Gang Warfare

2008-07-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

But what do you think? A man had two children. And approaching the first, he said, "Child, go today work in the vineyard." And he answered, "I won't" but later he changed his mind and went. And approaching the second he said the same thing. And answering, he said, "I, Lord." And he did not go. Which of the two did the will of the father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen I say to you that the toll collectors and prostitutes will go before you into the kingdom of God. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him but the toll collectors and the prostituted believed him. And you were seeing, but did not change your mind after to believe him.

Listen to another parable. A man was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and rented it to farmers and went away. And when the time of produce came, he send this slaves to the farmers to receive of his produce. And the farmers took his slaves and beat one and killed another and stoned a third. Again he sent other slaves greater than the first and they did the same to them. And after he sent to them his son saying, "They will be ashamed of my son." But the farmers, seeing the son, said to themselves, "This is the heir. Come let us kill him and have his property." And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore when the Lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?" They said to him, "He will do evil to those evil ones., destroying them and he will rent the vineyard to other farmers who will give to him the produce in it's time." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures, "The stone that the builders rejected this became the head stone, for made this happen and it is amazing in our eyes."? Therefore I say to you that the kingdom of God will be carried from you and given to a nation making it's fruit.

“I’d like your opinion about this: There’s this guy I know who had two kids. He asked one kid to clean up his room and the kid stubbornly answered ‘No way!’ But after some thought, the kid changed his mind and cleaned up his room. The father went to his second kid and asked her to do the same thing. She answered, ‘Of course, Dad. Whatever you want.’ But she never did go to clean up her room. So which of these two did what their father wanted them to do?” They responded, “The first kid.” Jesus then said, “It is for this reason that the drug addicts and the sex workers will experience God’s utopia and you won’t. John showed you the way of God and you didn’t believe him so as to repent and be baptized. But the drug addicts and sex workers flocked to him to get a new start. You all saw this, but you still didn’t change your mind to repent and be baptized.”

“Now listen to this story. A man owned a few blocks in an urban area, so he built a set of apartment buildings there, rented them out and then set managers over each building to keep them up and to collect the rent. Month after month, he sent employees to the managers to collect the proceeds, but the managers shut one out, beat up another, and another disappeared and was never heard from again. Then the owner sent groups of employees to collect his proceeds, and this started a gang war, but it didn’t get him a single dime. So then the owner sent his son figuring that the sight of him would cause the managers to reconsider their actions. But seeing the owner’s son at the door, the managers decided quickly that if the son was out of the way, the owner, being old and feeble, there being no one to care for the property after him, would just wither and fade away. So they grabbed the son, took him out of the city and killed him, leaving his body exposed to the elements. So let me ask you, what do you think the owner will do to those managers?” One answered, “He will call the police?” Everyone listening to this laughed. Then another said, “In his fury, he will do to those evil managers exactly what they did to him. He will kill them all and give the management to someone who will give to him what he deserves.” Jesus replied, “You are correct. So what is your problem? Haven’t you read in the Word, ‘The one whom the leaders rejected as a criminal has been chosen as the king of them all—and this is an amazing thing to see’? God’s nation will be taken away from you and given to a people who will give Him the proceeds he requires.”

John 14

2008-07-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you had known me you also will know the Father. And from now you will know him and have seen Him."

Phillip said to him, "Lord show us the Father and we are content."

Jesus said to him, "I am so much time with you and you have not known me, Phillip? He who knows me knows the Father. How do you say, 'show us the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Fater and the father is in me? The word which I say to you I do not speak for myself, but the Father who is abiding in me does His works. Believe in me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe through these works."

Thomas responded, “Lord, don’t you see? We DON’T know where you are going? So how can you say we know the way you are going when we don’t know the destination?”

Jesus said, mysteriously, “I am the way, Thomas. I am the way to Father God, the road you must take. I am also the truth about Father God. I am also the life that Father God gives. So without me, no one can obtain Father God. But you will know Him from this point on because you have seen him already.”

Phillip, confused, said, “So are you going to show us the Father now? Do that and all our prayers will be answered.”

Jesus replied, “Phillip, you’ve been with me for so long but you still don’t have any clue who I am? If you have experienced me, then you have experienced the Father.” Jesus sighs. “I can’t believe you just asked me to show you the Father. Don’t you understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father? I am speaking to you, but I’m not speaking my own words, but the Fathers’. I do miracles, but it is not me doing them, but the Father. If you believe nothing else, believe me when I say that I am living in the Father and the Father is living in me. Or, at the very least, believe that it is true because of the miracles the Father did through me.”

Judas said to him, not the Iscariot, "Lord, what happened that you are going to make known Yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves me my word he will keep and my Father loves him and to him we will come and make a dwelling with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent me. These things I have spoken to you abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and remind you all that I said to you."

Judas (not the betrayer) then said to him, “Lord, why is it that you are giving us the experience of knowing you, but you aren’t revealing yourself to the nation of Judea?”

Jesus responded, “Because we have love and they do not. If anyone loves me, he will not only hear my word but treasure it and do it. The obedient one who loves me the Father also loves. That is the one whom the Father and I chose to come to and to be roommates with. If anyone chooses to ignore what I say, he doesn’t love me or the Father—because what I say isn’t mine, but the Father’s. Since the Father appointed me to the task to speak, it is His words I speak. So I speak the Father’s words to you and not to them while I am here. But even though I am leaving, the Father will send you the Assistant—otherwise known as the Holy Spirit. The Father will deliver Him to you with my authority. He will inform you of all you need to know and will bring to your mind every word I said.”

John 13-- Humilitation and Hospitality

2008-07-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

And before the Feast of Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour came so that he would leave from this world to the Father, loving his own in the world-- to the end he loved them. And the feast occuring, the devil already having put into the heart of Judas Simonos Iscariot to betray Him, knowing that the Father gave all things to him into the hands and that he came from God and to go to God, arose from the feast and placed the outer garments and taking a towel he wrapped himself, then he put water into a basin and began to wash the disciple's feet and wiped with the towel which he had wrapped. Therefore he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, "Lord do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not know now, but you will know after this." Peter said to him, "You will not ever wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not have need to be washed, except his feet. But is wholly clean. And you are clean, but not wholly." For he knew the one betraying him. Because of this he said, "Not all of you are clean." Therefore when he had washed their feet and taken his garments and reclined again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?" You call me 'teacher' and 'lord' and you speak well for I am. If therefore, I-- the lord and teacher-- wash your feet, also you are obligated to wash each other's feet. For I gave an example to you in order that as I did you also should do. Amen, amen I say to you, a slave is not greater than his lord nor is the one sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I speak not to all of you. I know those I have chosen, but in order that Scripture be fulfilled, "He who eats my bread raised his heel against me." From now I say to you before it occurs in order that when it happens you may believe that I am. Amen, amen I say to you, he who receives whoever I send receives me. And he who received me receives the One who sent me.

It was the time of the Feast of the Exodus and Jesus knew that his time on earth was short, and he was soon to go to the Father. Yet, he loved his disciples on the earth, and he never stopped loving them, even to the end. At the time of the Feast, the Great Liar already convinced Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to the authorities. Jesus knew that the Father had granted him authority over all things, and that his purpose was to come from God and to return to Him.
Given all this, Jesus got up from the meal, set aside his dress coat and put on an apron. Jesus asked all of the disciples if they wanted anything as a refreshment, filling their wine cups. Then Jesus took a basin, filled it with water and washed all the disciple’s feet, wiping them dry with his apron.
As he came to Simon the Rock, Simon asked, “Do you think you’re going to wash my feet?” Jesus responded, “You don’t get it now, but you will understand later.” Simon the Rock said, “No. You will NOT wash my feet. It’s too humiliating. I won’t let you.” Jesus calmly said, “If you do not allow me to wash your feet then walk out and don’t come back. If you want to be of my nation, then you must allow this.” Simon said, “Well, then wash all of me—my hands are pretty filthy and I haven’t washed my hair for a while…” Jesus interrupted him, “You are already completely clean, because your commitment to me cleanses you. If you’ve taken a bath, you just need your feet washed, not your whole body. Yet your whole is not clean.” When Jesus said this last bit, he was referring to the Betrayer, who was still there in the room with them.
After all their feet had been washed, Jesus took off the apron, put on his dress coat, and stood in front of them. “Do you understand what I have done? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master’, which is good, because that’s who I am. So if you see your Master being hospitable to you, then you must do so to each other. I gave you this example, so that you would act in this way. You are not greater than I—I am the one who sent you. It is good if you know what I teach you, but it is better if you do it—if you do what I do. Mind you, I am not talking to all of you. I have chosen you, but one of you was chosen to fulfill the Scripture, ‘He who receives my hospitality has slapped me in the face.’ I tell you this ahead of time so you will understand when it happens. Listen carefully—whoever welcomes into his home one of my workers actually receives me. And whoever receives me welcomes God who sent me to earth.

Revelation 4: God as Lord of All

2008-07-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

After these things, I saw and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I had heard like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come here and I will show you what is necessary to happen after this." Immediately I was in the spirit

After I took down all these letters,I looked up and noticed with surprise an open doorway in the sky. The bullhorn voice I had previously heard spoke again, “Come through this door and I will show you the later things.” At that moment, I had entered the Spirit world and everything was different.

And behold a throne was standing in heaven and upon the throne one was sitting. And the one sitting was like in appearance a stone of jasper and carnelian and a rainbow was around the throne like in appearance made of emerald. And around the throne was twenty four thrones and upon the thrones were twenty four elders sitting, being clothed in white garments and upon their heads were golden crowns. And from the throne come lightning and sounds and thunder and seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God. And before the throne was like a sea of glass like crystal.

I was in heaven, in the spirit world and at the center of all things was a throne, with the One sitting on the throne. I couldn’t see the One well, as he was shining like a clear stone of many colors, almost like a ruby. Around the throne was a stone, not unlike an emerald, except that it was like a rainbow. And I remembered the word God had spoken, that a rainbow would always be before Him to remind him to never destroy the human race.

There were twenty four thrones circled around the one throne. In each throne sat the leaders of God’s people. They were dressed in black robes, like priests, but they had golden crowns on their heads.

The voice of God, coming from the being on the central Throne, was like thunder and loud sounds and flashes of light. All around the Throne were seven powerful flames—and I knew that these were the powerful spirits of God who did God’s will through the earth. Also in heaven was a great sea, which had water as clear as crystal. In this does the most powerful spirits live, even those who were the great enemies of humanity. But the one on the throne was Lord of them all.

And in the midst of the throne and around the throne four living ones, full of eyes in front and behind. And the first living one was like a lion, and the second living one was like a calf, and the third living one had a face as a man and the fourth living one was like a flying eagle. And the four living ones, each of them having six wings, covered with eyes all around and within, have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy holy holy, Lord The God The Almighty-- He who was, and He who is and He who is coming."

Also in the throneroom of God were four powerful representatives of Living Ones. They supported the throne and was around the throne, even as the temple shows. They all had eyes all over them. The first power was like a lion—representing the wild beasts. The second power was like a young ox—representing the domesticated beasts. The third one had a face that seemed human—representing humanity. And the fourth power was like a living eagle—representing the beasts of the sky. Each of these creatures had six wings and even the wings had eyes all over them. They saw all things in their realm and reported to the Lord of Heaven. And without end, all day and all night, they would cry out “Holy holy holy! Yahweh, the all-powerful God! All history is His, as is this age and all that is to come!”

And when the living ones give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, to the Living One forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall before the one who sits on the throne and worship the eternally Living One and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and our God to receive the glory and the honor and the power because you created everything and because your will they existed and were made.”

The Enthroned One is receiving all of this praise and honor and gratitude—He is the Lord of all the living eternally, through all ages. Every time the four living ones proclaim His power, the twenty four elders would get off of their thrones, fall down before the Enthroned One, and place their crowns before Him. At this time, they would all say, “You alone, our Lord and God, are deserving to receive the praise and honor and all authority that we have to give you. You alone fashioned everything. Because you desired it, everything exists and You made them.”

Revelation 1

2008-07-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

The uncovering of Jesus Christ, which God give to show to his slaves that which must quickly happen, and sending it, he made it known by his angel to his slave John who testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ everything he saw. Blessed is the one who recites and are those who hear the words of this prophecy and who keep that which is written in it, for the time is near.

God sent this writing to His servants, concerning what is about to happen and displaying the reality about Jesus, the Great King. God sent it via His spiritual messenger to his servant John, who proclaimed everything he saw, both God’s word and the life and teaching of Messiah Jesus. The one who recites this prophecy obtains God’s grace, as are those who hear and obey this prophecy—for the fulfillment is close.

John to the seven fellowships which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before His throne and from Jesus Christ, the Witness, the Faithful One, The Firstborn of the dead and the Ruler of the kings of earth. To him who loves us and loosed us from our sins by his blood and He has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to him the glory and the might in the ages. Amen.

From John to the Seven Fellowships in Asia Minor:
Greetings—Charis and Shalom—
From the Am who was and who will be,
From the seven-fold Spirit who represents you before the Throne
And from Messiah Jesus,
Who testified to the truth
Who remained faithful to the end,
Who was first released from death
And who is Emperor over the rulers of the earth.
Jesus loves us to such a degree that
He released us from our sins through His death
And He created a kingdom out of us
So we could be priests to His God and Father.
To God be the ultimate respect and our strength both in this age and the one to come, amen.

Behold he comes with clouds and every eye will see him and those who pierced him and every tribe on earth will mourn concerning him. Yes, amen.

Look—here he comes in the clouds! Every human will see him come! And those who killed him and those nations who rebelled against him will weep unhappily because of Him. Truly, may it be.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Yahweh God says, “I am the Prologue and the Epilogue and all in between. I Am. And Was. And Will. I am without equal in power.”

I, John, your brother and co-fellowshipper in the suffering and kingdom and endurance in Jesus was on the island which is called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the day of the Lord and I heard behind me a great voice like a trumpet, saying, "What you see write in a book and send to the seven churches: To Ephesus, and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodikia."

I am John, your brother. I shared the suffering you suffered and because we all endured in Jesus we all share in Jesus’ kingdom. Due to God’s word and the testimony of Jesus I had to proclaim, I was on the island of Patmos, off the coast of Asia Minor. I was praying in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, when suddenly I heard a loud voice behind me shout as if through a bullhorn: “Write all you see on a scroll. Send that scroll to seven churches in the following cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodikia.”

And I turned around to see the voice which was speaking with me and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands and in the middle of the lampstands was one like a son of man, being dressed in a long robe and a golden sash being wrapped around his chest. His head and his hairs were as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire. And his feet were like polished brass as burned in a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. And having in his right hand seven stars and from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword and his face as the sun shining in its strength.

I immediately turned around to see who was shouting at me and I first saw seven golden candles, each on its stand. And standing with them was the Spirit like a Son of Man. He was dressed in a long black robe with a purple sash across his chest. His face glowed, and his eyes shone like lights. His feet were callused, but strong like a fire-walker’s. His voice was powerful, commanding, as if his enemies could be crushed by his words, but the glowing of his face was joyous, as a warrior in victory. And in his right hand he held seven stars.

And when I saw him, I fell toward his feet as dead and he placed his right upon me saying, "Do not fear. I am the first and the last and the living and I was dead and behold I am alive for age upon ages and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write what you have seen and what you see and what is about to happen after these things. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw upon my right and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are angels of the seven fellowships. And the seven lampstands are the seven fellowships.”

When I first gazed at all this, I fainted at his feet in fear. However, he put his hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I have all authority. I was dead, but now I live for all eternity. So now I am the ruler of Death and Hades. So write all of the visions you have seen—past, present and future. I will give you but the beginning of understanding: the meaning of the seven stars and the seven candles. The seven stars are the spirits of the seven churches. And the seven candles are the seven churches themselves.

Prayer in Luke 11

2008-06-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

The desperately literal translation is in bold, the dynamic translation is in italics.

And it happened that they were with him in the place where he was praying, as he stopped, some of the disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples."
And he said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, make your name holy. May your kingdom come. Give to us our daily bread today. And forgive us our sins for we forgive all those who owe us. And do not lead us into testing.'"
He also said to them, "Who of you, to have a friend and he comes to one at midnight and he says to him, 'Friend lend me three loaves because my friend came of the way to me and I do not have to place before him. And the one inside answering, says, "Don't bother me. The door is already shut and my children are with me in the bed. I am not able to get up and give to you.' I say to you, if he does not give to him, getting up because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will give him getting up whatever he needs.
"Also I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Who of you fathers, his son asks for a fish and instead of a fish you give to him a snake? Or, asking for an egg, gives a scorpion? If therefore you, being evil, know to give a good gift to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the holy spirit to those who ask him

Jesus’ disciples were with him at one point when he was praying. Politely, they waited until he finished, then some of them asked him, “Lord, John taught his disciples what to say when they prayed. Please do the same for us.”
Jesus replied, “Say this when you pray, along with your other prayers:
‘Our Provider and Protector—
Cleanse your soiled reputation.
Rule over the whole earth.
Meet today’s needs, even as you do every day.
Wipe away our sins before You,
Inasmuch as we forget the debts we have against others.
And since we are so weak, please don’t test us more than we are able to bear.’

Additionally, Jesus said, “Suppose you were in your bedroom at midnight having sex with your wife. A good friend of yours comes over, walks in and begins knocking at your bedroom door. After you don’t answer he says, ‘I know you’re in there. Look, one of my kids is sick and I need you to drive me to the 24 hour Walgren’s to get some medicine.’ You reply, ‘Look, I’m in bed and I’m… well, I’m in bed! I can’t get up now. Take a bus or something.’ You may not help him because he’s a good friend of yours, but because he doggedly continues to knock at your door, you WILL get up and help him with whatever he wants.

“Even so, the one who asks of God will receive. The one who seeks God will find. The one who knocks (and knocks and knocks) at God’s door will have it opened. If you fail in asking, you get nothing.

“Suppose your kid wants a hamburger—would you give him a urinal cake? Suppose your kid is bugging you for some juice—would you give him bleach? Look, no matter how bad of a father you are, you know how to give something good to your kids. So why do you think God will give you something bad? If you ask, God will gladly grant you the Holy Spirit for healing and wisdom and strength.”

What the Bad Guys Deserve from Us-- Luke 6

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And he, lifting his eyes to his disciples, said, "Blessed are the poor, because yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those who hunger now because you will be satisfied. Blessed are those who weep now because you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you and separate from you and insult and cast down your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap, for behold your reward is much in heaven. For in the same way their fathers treated the prophets. However, Woe to you who are rich because you receive your comfort. Woe to you who are satisfied now because you will hunger. Woe to those who laugh now because you will morn and weep. Woe when all men speak well of you for in the same way their fathers spoke to the false prophets.

Ah, the poor—you lucky dogs! Because you are the owners of God’s kingdom.
How lucky are those who are presently hungry—because God will make you completely content.
How lucky are those who weep in this life—because God will make you laugh.
How lucky are you, my disciples, when people hate you. You are fortunate when they won’t have anything to do with you, when they call you names and tear down your reputation. When that happens—have a party! Jump for joy! Because you are lined up with great things from God. Because, you see, this is the way their type have always treated God’s prophets.
But you well off—I’m so sorry. You are getting all the good life you will ever get.
It’s so sad about you who eat well now, because God will make sure you will be hungry.
It’s so sad about you who are well entertained now, because God will make sure that you weep and grieve.
And you who have excellent reputations with everyone? Grieve, for that is how their type treated the false prophets.

But to you I say-- who are listening-- Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. speak well to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever strikes you on the cheek, present also the other. And from he who takes your coat also do not forbid your shirt also. Give to everyone who requires of you and from him who takes what is yours, do not demand in return. And just as you want in order they should do to you, the man do to them likewise. And if you love those who love you, what grace is that to you? For even the sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what grace is that to you? For even the sinners do the same. And if you lend to those whom you expect to receive, what grace is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same. Rather love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your wages will be great and you will be sons of the most High because He is merciful to the ungrateful and wicked. Be compassionate as the Father is compassionate. And do not judge and you will not be judged. And do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Set free and you will be set free. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over they will give you into your bosom. For by the measure you measure it will be measured to you.

So if there’s anyone listening, let me say this to you: Have compassion on the bad guys of your life. Be nice to the mean ones. Answer well those who cuss you out. Pray blessings on those who insult and abuse you. If a cop pushes you, give him the opportunity to beat you up. If a creditor steals money from you, offer him the rest of your account. If the government demands something from you, give it freely. And if a cop steals what is yours, don’t demand it back. In whatever good way you want people to treat you, treat them that way, no matter how badly treat you.

Look, if you only feel good about those who feel good about you, do you think God will bless you for that? Everyone, no matter how bad they are, love those who love them. If you do good things only to those who do good to you, do you think God will bless you for that? Everyone, no matter how evil, does the same. If you loan out money only to people who will pay you back, do you think God will bless you for that? Evil people loan out money for a return, plus interest.

You can do better than that. Love the people you find most unlovable. Act with compassion toward them and lend them money—yes, I know you won’t get the money back. Just do it, knowing that you won’t get anything back for it, not even a thanks. But you will get more back than you would ever expect, but that from God. If you do this, you will be acting like God, the Lord of the Universe—because He, too, does compassionate acts for those who never thank Him and who do the very worst acts on earth. So be compassionate to the same extent God is.

Don’t condemn others and you won’t be condemned by God. Don’t punish for punishment’s sake and you won’t be punished by God, either. If you release someone from a grudge, God will release you. Give freely to those in need—no matter who they are—and God will give freely to you. It’s kinda like a keg party. Take, let’s say a third of keg of beer and give it to your friends. They will take it, shake it up until it fills the keg and then pour it all over you—much more than you gave them! Even so, the amount of compassion you give to those who don’t deserve it will be poured right back on you!

Parable of the Groupies, et al-- Matthew 25

2007-12-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

As usual, the extreme literal translation is in normal text, while the very dynamic translation is in italic.

The kingdom of heaven resembles ten virgins who took their lamps themselves and went to the meeting of the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish and five sensible. For when the foolish took their lamps they did not bring with them oil. But the sensible brought oil in containers with their lamps. And since the bridegroom was delaying, they all became tired and fell asleep. In the middle of the night a shout happened, "Behold the bridegroom! Come to his meeting!" Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the thoughtless said to the sensible, "Give to us of your oil, because our lamps are going out." But the sensible answered, saying, "No, there is not enough for us and you. Rather, go to the sellers and buy for yourselves.” And as they were going to buy, the bridegroom came and those ready went with him to the wedding and the door was locked. And later the other virgins also came saying, "Lord, Lord, open up for us." But he said, answering, "Amen I say to you, I don't know you." Therefore be alert, because you do not know the day nor the hour.

The time of judgment is like a bunch of groupies waiting for the rock star at the backstage door. The prudent groupies brought extra makeup with them, but the thoughtless groupies figured that their looks would carry them into the party just as they were. But the concert went longer than any of them thought, and they all became sleepy and passed out, right there on the sidewalk. Then, in the middle of the night, they heard, “He’s coming!” All the groupies arose and the prudent ones began touching up their makeup. The thoughtless ones asked the others if they could share and the prudent ones said, “No way! Look, there’s a all night mart across the street, why don’t you get some for yourself?” So the groupies without makeup went across the street to see if they could touch up their makeup. As they were gone, the rock star came, welcomed in the groupies that were there, and locked the door. Soon, the other groupies came back, banging at the door. Through the door, the rock star said, “Who is it?” The groupies said, “It’s us! We’re here for the party!” The rock star yelled back, “Get lost! The party’s already underway! And I have no idea who you are!” Therefore, be ready at all times, because you don’t know the time when your Lord returns.

For just like a man, leaving on a journey, called his own slaves and handed to them his possessions. To this one he gave five talents, to this two, to this one, each according to his own ability and he went on his journey. Immediately, he who received five talents worked with them and profited five more. Likewise, he of two profited two. But he who received one, going away, dug in the earth and hid his Lord's money. And after much time the Lord of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. And he who received five talents, approaching, offered five more talents, saying, "Lord, you handed to me five talents-- look, five more talents I have profited." His Lord said to him, "Good, you good and faithful slave. Over a little you were faithful, over much you will rule. Enter into the joy of your Lord." And he of two talents, approaching, said, "Lord, two talents you handed over to me. Look, two more talents I have profited!" His Lord said to him, "Good, you good and faithful slave. Over a little you were faithful, over much you will rule. Enter into the joy of your Lord." And he who took one talent, approaching, said, "Lord, knowing you to be a stern man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, and I feared, going away to hide your talent in the earth. Look, you have what is yours." But his Lord, answering, said, "You wicked slave and lazy! You knew that I reap where I do not saw and I gather where I do not scatter? Therefore it was necessary for you to put my silver with the bankers coming I receive my own with interest. Therefore take from him the talent and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given and he will have an increase, but he who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And cast this worthless slave to the outer darkness. There will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth.

There was a CEO preparing to go on a journey, so he summoned his vice presidents and appointed to them the tasks they were to care for. “Here,” he said to one Veep who displayed some business talents, “Take this five thousand dollars. Do what you can to make it profit.” He gave another one two thousand and another one thousand. The Veep with five thousand walked straight out of the boardroom to the stocks and made wise trades until he doubled the amount given. The Veep with two thousand succeeded in the same way, doubling his given amount. But the Veep with a thousand went home immediately and dug a hole in the ground and put the CEO’s money there. “There,” he thought, “That ought to keep it safe.” Then he played golf in his office, awaiting the CEO’s return. It took a long while, but eventually the CEO returned to his main office. Then he called them in to look at their accounting books. The Veep with five thousand strode straight up to the CEO and said, “Boss, you gave me five thousand, and I doubled your money! Now you have ten thousand!” The CEO smiled at him and said, “Excellent. You have rewarded my faith in you, you faithful manager. This was but a small test, but I will put you in charge of large companies now, because whoever manages insignificant things well can be entrusted with the important. You will manage with me, in my offices, now.” The one with two thousand, emboldened, approached the CEO as well and said, “Here, sir, you can see that you gave me two thousand dollars, and I doubled that amount, and am able to give you four thousand.” The CEO responded, “Excellent. You have also rewarded my faith in you, for you, too, are a faithful manager. I will put you in charge of companies as well, because whoever manages insignificant things well can be entrusted with the important. You will also manage with me, in my offices.” Then the third Veep approached the CEO. “Now,” he said, “I approached your money in a different way. You see, I know you are a strict man, and I hated to think of what would happen if I lost the money you gave me. So I figured that a man of your resources could get something out of nothing, so I just put the money in the ground for safe keeping. Now I’ve dug it up, and here it is.” The Veep handed the CEO the thousand dollars, filthy and mold growing on it. The CEO turned around and told the Veep, “So, you figured that I could get something out of nothing, eh? Well, then you could have put it in the bank, and at least I would have gotten a bit of interest! You are an idiot! And lazy! All this time, and all I get is some rotting cash, not a cent more than I gave you? You,” and he pointed to one of his personal servants, “take this… cash… and give it to the Veep that has ten thousand. My principle is this—those who have something to offer obtain more, but those with nothing to offer, even what he has will disappear. And throw this man out of here, he’s fired! He can spend his days with those mourning their own corpses in the unemployment line.”

And when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him then he will sit upon his glorious throne and all the nations will be gathered before Him and he will separate them from others, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will stand the sheep at his right and the goats at his left. Then the king will say to those at his right, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father, take possession of the Kingdom which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I hungered and you gave to me to eat; I thirsted and you watered me; I was a foreigner and you gave hospitality to me; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you cared for me; in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when we saw you hunger and we fed you? Or thirsty and water you? Or when we saw you a foreigner and gave you hospitality? Or naked and we clothed you? And when we saw you sick or in prison and came to you? And the King, answering, will say to them, "Amen I say to you, upon as much you did to one of these my least brothers, to me you acted."

When the Emperor of God descends from heaven displaying his power, having all the angels of heaven surrounding him, then he will rule from his throne and every person on earth will be collected and will stand before His throne. He will judge them all and will divide them up as a rag picker will separate the useful from the trash. And the recyclable he will stand at his right, and the trash he will stand at his left. The King will proclaim to the right, “I welcome you, those whom my Father speaks well of. You may now possess the Kingdom—my Kingdom—which has been made ready for you, the righteous of humanity, from the creation of the world. You are worthy of this, because of your assistance to me. I was hungry in your neighborhood, and you gave me food. I was parched, passing by your dwelling, and you offered me some water. I was an immigrant and outcast and you let me in your house for the night. I was walking around freezing, and you give me your coat. I was sick and you nursed me to health. I was in prison and you came and met my needs. You listened to me when I was lonely. You kept me safe when I was fearful. You gave me work when I was in need and paid me at the end of the day.” These righteous will answer the Emperor thus, “Our Lord, we thank you. But are you sure you are speaking of us? Did we really see you hungry and feed you? Did we see you needing a drink and gave you something? When did we see you—you of all people-- an outcast and bring you into our house? When were you freezing and we gave you clothes or a blanket? And when, my Lord, when were you in prison and we had opportunity to visit you?” And the Emperor will answer them, “Listen carefully—whatever you did it to these disciples of mine—even these lowly ones— you did the same to me.”

Then he will say also to those at his left, "Go away from me, cursed ones, to the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you did not give to me to eat; I was thirsty and you did not water me; I was a foreigner and you did not give me hospitality; Naked and you did not clothe me; Sick and in prison and you did not care for me." Then they will answer him, saying, "Lord, when we saw you hungry or thirsty or foreign or naked or sick or in prison and we did not serve you?" Then he will answer to them, saying, "Amen I say to you, upon as much you did not do to these the least, you did not do to me." And these will depart to eternal punishment, and the righteous to eternal life.

Then the Emperor will turn to his other side. “You will leave me, you whom the Father curses with his every breath. You will be cast into the punishment which was created for Satan and his messengers. Because I came to your town, hungry, and you told me to get a job. I came to your street, parched with thirst, and you wouldn’t talk to me. I was an immigrant, a homeless person, a mentally ill person on the street, a traveler and you refused me entrance at your doorstep. I was shivering in the cold and you passed by me, although you had closets full of coats, shelves full of extra blankets you weren’t using. I became bed-ridden and disabled and you were too busy with your own life to assist me, or even check in on me. I was in prison, through no fault of my own, and in a locked mental health facility and in the state hospital and you didn’t even write to me, let alone visit me. You cannot live with me in my kingdom, since you did not share your life with me when I was with you.” They will respond, “But Great Lord, I’m sure you weren’t hungry or thirsty! And you couldn’t have been an outcast or freezing. You were never in our neighborhood—I would remember! And you, being sick—I don’t think so. And you would never have been in prison or a mental health hospital. And if you were, we would have been there for you, serving you, Lord!” The Emperor answers, “Listen carefully, inasmuch as you did not serve these lowly ones, you did not serve me. I was there, through my disciples, as crazy as they seemed, as insignificant as they seemed, and you didn’t let them in your life. Even so, I don’t want you in mine.” And they will leave the Lord and go to eternal punishment. But those who acted with justice lived with the Lord eternally.

Mark 5

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And they came to the other side of the Sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. And coming out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him from the graves. He had his home in the graves. And no one was able to bind him not even a chain. Because often he had been bound feet and chains and the chains and feet impediments were pulled off by him and broken and no one was strong enough to control him. And always night and day he was shouting and beating himself with stones among the graves and in the mountains. And seeing Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What is between me and you, Jesus son of the Most High God? I command you by God, do not torture me!" For he said to him, "Come from the man, unclean spirit!" And he asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "My name is Legion for we are many." And he begged him much in order that he not send him from the region. But there was a great herd of pigs feeding on the mountain. And they begged him, saying, "Send us to those pigs so that we might go into them." And he allowed them. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the pigs and the herd, about 2000, rushed toward the bank to the sea, and they drowned in the sea. And the herdsmen fled and reported to the city and the fields. And the people came to see what is happening. And they came to Jesus and looked at the demoniac sitting down, dressed and sensible, who had the legion and they were frightened. And those who had seen told them how it happened to the demoniac and about the pigs. And they began to beg him to leave from their territory. And he was embarking on the boat, the demoniac begged him to come with him. And he did now allow him, but he said to him, "Go to your home to yours and report to them everything the Lord has done for you and had mercy on you. And he went away and began to announce in Decapolis all Jesus had done to him and everyone marveled.

Jesus and the twelve crossed the Sea to the land of Gerasene. As soon as Jesus left the boat, an insane man met him. This was a man who made his home in the cemetery, and no one could bind him to take him to the hospital. They had tried to put on a straight jacket and bind him with handcuffs, but he broke off all impediments and no one was strong enough to subdue him. And he would shout all day and all night, beating himself against the rocks of the hills. He spied Jesus from afar and ran up to him and honored him by bowing down. Jesus commanded the spirits, “Come out of the man!” but he responded, “What do you have against me, Jesus, Son of the Highest God? I implore you, don’t torture me!” Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “My name is Horde, for we are numerous.” He begged him not to exile them from this land. They noticed a huge herd of pigs feeding on the hillside, so the spirits cried out, “Command us to go to the pigs and we will enter them.” So Jesus permitted it. So the unclean spirits left the man and entered the two thousand pigs, who immediately rushed down the slope and downed in the sea.
The caretakers of the pigs fled and told everyone they met about the incident, in both town and field. Those who heard came to see what was happening. As they came to Jesus, they saw the insane man, sitting, neatly clothed and sensible and they were scared to death. Those who had seen the incident told the whole story about the insane man and the pigs. And the Geraseans asked Jesus to leave the region.
As Jesus was getting back on the boat the formerly insane man begged him to allow him to depart with him. Jesus said, “No, but you go back home and tell your family and friends everything God has done for you and how He had mercy on you.” So the man left and told all who he met in his whole country what Jesus had done for him and everyone was amazed.

Luke 16

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And there was a certain rich man and he dressed in purple and fine linen, living in luxurious joy every day. But a certain poor man named Lazarus was placed at his entrance, covered with sores. And longing to be fed from that which fell from the table of the wealthy man, and also the dogs came and licked his sores. And it happened that the poor man died to be carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. And the wealthy man died and was buried. And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in pain, he saw Abraham from a distance and Lazarus in his bosom. And calling, he said, "Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue because I am in great pain in this flame." But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you received your good in your life and Lazarus in the same way evil. But now here, he is comforted and you are in great pain and with all this between us and you a great chasm has been established so that those who wish to cross over from this place to yours are not able to, nor can they cross over from there to us.' But he said, "Therefore I beg you, father, that you send him to the house of my father, for I have five brothers, so that he may declare to them in order that they not also be brought to this place of pain.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.' But he said, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the dead they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If Moses and the prophets they will not listen to, neither will they be convinced if someone is raised from the dead.'

There was a rich man who dressed in bright colors and fine cotton, living with his excellent entertainments daily. There was also a disabled poor man named Lazarus who begged outside his property daily, who was obviously sick. Lazarus dreamed about laying under the wealthy man’s table just to eat what fell on the floor, but all he got were kids coming by, yelling at him and throwing things at him. The poor man finally died, and angels carried him to Abraham in heaven. And the wealthy man also died and was given a proper burial, but ended up in hell where he was in agony. The wealthy man looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus in heaven from a long distance off and he called out, “Father Abraham! Father Abraham! I am a religious man, so please do me a favor and ask Lazarus to come over to give me just the smallest amount of pain reliever because I am in terrible agony.” Abraham replied, “My son, do you remember in the time of your life? You had all the good, and Lazarus had all the evil in the world. Now in this life there is finally justice so Lazarus is comforted and you are in agony. Besides, the distance between us is so great that no one can go from one side to the other.” The rich man yelled out again, “Then could you please send Lazarus to my family? I have five brothers and I don’t want them to suffer here with me.” Abraham replied curtly, “Let them listen to the Bible.” The man said, “But they don’t, Father Abraham! But if someone comes to them from the dead to sternly warn them, they will listen.” Abraham replied, “If those Scrooges won’t listen to the Scriptures, then they won’t listen to a ghost.”

Luke 12

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And someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to apportion with me the possession." But he said to him, "Man, who appointed me a judge or divider between you?" And he said to them, "Watch out and be wary from all covetousness because in having more than enough, his life is not consisting in his possessions.

A young man called out to Jesus from the crowd and said, “Teacher, command the trustee of my father’s will to give me my share of the inheritance!” Jesus replied, “I am not a lawyer or a judge—why should I get involved?” Then Jesus told everyone, “Guard yourself from every form of trying to get more in the world. When you finally get everything you want and more, then you finally realize too late that stuff is not what life is about.”

And he told a parable to them, saying, "The land of a wealthy man produced well and he considered in himself, saying, 'What should I do because I don't have a place to gather my produce?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones and there I will gather all my gain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink and be merry." ' But God said to him, "Idiot! This night your soul is required of you. So whose is what you have prepared?' Thus is he who stores up for himself but is not rich toward God."

“There was an entrepreneur who ran his own business. One year, he did exceptionally well, and found that his business had outgrown his little store. So he was contemplating what he would do with his surplus profit, so, talking to himself, he said, “I know! I will rent a larger store, hire a couple of employees and the business will practically run itself! Then, over a few years I will have a tidy nest egg stored up and I’ll say to myself, “You have found the good life. Now it’s time to relax, and enjoy your retirement.”’ In that instant, however, God’s voice spoke to the man, “You are such an idiot. This very night your life is to be taken from you. So who will enjoy what you are planning?” This is what happens to a person who works for himself and his family, but who never gives to God by giving to the poor.”

Don't be afraid, little flock, because your Father has delighted to give to you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy, and you give to yourselves a purse that does not wear out, a treasure never decreasing in heaven where a thief does not come near nor a moth destroys. For where our treasure is, there also is your heart."

Don’t be afraid to surrender your possessions, my dear students. You Father has happily determined that you are to have the whole kingdom of God—what do you need of useless trinkets? Go ahead and sell your stuff and give freely to those in need. Then you will have a savings that you can never use up, and is much safer than a bank, a mattress or your penny-pinching aunt. God will preserve it for you. But take this proposal seriously, and don’t blow it off—because what you use your money on is what you are devoting yourself to.

Mark 10

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And as he came out on the way, running to him and kneeling before him and asked him, "Good teacher, what should I do in order to possess eternal life?" But Jesus said to him, "Why tell me "good"? No one is good except God. You know the commands: "Don't murder," "Don't cheat on your spouse," "Don't steal," "Don't commit perjury," "Don't defraud," "Honor your father and mother."" But he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." But looking straight at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "One thing you have need of: Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and coming, follow me." But, being downcast at these words, he went away saddened, for he was having many possessions.

As Jesus returned to his travel, a man ran up to him and bowed in front of him. The man asked, “O Holy Teacher! What must I do to obtain eternal life!” Jesus, assuming this was some brown-noser who was looking for a positive answer, said, “Why do you call me “holy”? Only God is holy. I’m sure you’ve heard about the commands that make you right with God—“Don’t murder,” “Don’t cheat on your spouse,” “Don’t steal,” “Don’t commit perjury,” “Don’t defraud,” “Honor your father and mother,” and all the others. But the man, desperately, said to Jesus, “Teacher, I have already obeyed these from my youth. Isn’t there anything more?” Then Jesus truly noticed him and felt love for him and said, “There is just one thing you need: Go home right now, sell everything you have and give the money to the needy. Then you will have the treasure in heaven you desire. And when you are done with all that, follow me on my journey.” The man stood silently, his face downcast, then he walked away slowly, dejected, for he had many possessions.

And, looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those with many possessions to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were shocked at his words. But Jesus again answering, said to them, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through they eye of the needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God." And they were all the more astonished, saying to themselves, "Then who is able to be saved?” Looking straight at them, Jesus said, "For men this is impossible, but not for God, for everything is possible for God."

Then Jesus turned around and said to those following him, “People with a bunch of stuff have a hard time getting into heaven.” Jesus’ student’s were shocked, but Jesus repeated himself, “Kids, it’s very hard to enter into God’s nation. It’s easier to fit a Starbucks in one of their cups than for one of the well-off to get through the gates of heaven. It’s easier for Donald Trump to deflate his ego. It’s easier for Twiggy to swallow a space shuttle. That’s how hard it is for them to give up their stuff..” The students were wide-eyed and mumbled, “Who could possibly be saved, then?” Jesus heard this and stared at them, “It is impossible for any human—but for God, nothing is impossible. He can do anything He wishes.”

Peter began to say to him, "Behold, we have left everything and are following you." Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, but wouldn't receive a hundred fold now in this time-- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, with persecutions, and in the coming age, eternal life. But many who are first will be last and those who are last, first."

Then Peter spoke up, “Look, we left everything to wander places with you.” Jesus replied, “That’s true. And there isn’t anyone who gave up their siblings, parents, and jobs for me and for God’s truth that won’t get a hundred times as much. Even now, before God’s nation fully comes, those who gave up everything will get a hundred times as many siblings, parents and food. Of course, this all comes with being rejected by the world, but you do obtain eternal life in the next age. Just remember this: the first will be last and the last will be first.”

Luke 14

2007-11-16T19:29:00.001-08:00

The literal, word for word translation is the first paragraph, and the SKV-- highly dynamic translation-- is in italics

And hearing this, one of those sitting said to him, "Blessed are those who eat bread in the kingdom of God." But he said to him, "A certain man had a huge dinner and he called many and he sent his slave at the hour of the feast to say to those who had been called, 'Come because everything is ready now.' And they began to ask to be excused, one and all. The first said to him, 'I purchased a field and I have a duty, going, to see it. I beg you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchases five pairs of oxen and I am going to test them. I beg you, have me excused.' And another said, 'A woman I have married and because of this I am unable to come.' And the slave arriving, reported this to his lord. Then the master of the household, being furious, said to his slave, 'Go immediately to the wide and streets and bring here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the slave said, 'Lord, your command is done and there is still room.' And the lord said to the slave, "Go to the roads and hedges and compel them to come so that my house may be filled. For I say to you that no one of the men who were called will taste of my feast.' "

Jesus was at a party and he gave a speech. Hearing him, one of those listening announced, “How wonderful it will be for those who are at the party of God!” Jesus replied with a story: “There was a man planning a party and he sent invitations out. As a reminder, he sent one of his employees out at the time of the party to all those invited. But they—every one—offered excuses instead. One said, ‘Oh, I just bought some real estate and I need to go look at it. So sorry, but I’m just too busy to come.’ Another said, ‘I just bought five work trucks and I need to test them out. I’m really sorry, but I’m too busy to come.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, and, well, we’re just too busy. Sorry, can’t come.’ So the employees returned to their CEO and explained all this to him. He fumed and he told his employees, ‘OK, fine. Then go downtown and invite every beggar—the bums, cripples, winos and indigent.’ After a bit, the employees reported back to him, ‘We did as you requested, sir, but the hall still looks pretty empty.’ So the CEO said, ‘Then go out of the city and collect the passers through, all the immigrants looking for work and other foreigners. Convince them to come in until the banquet hall is completely full. But I swear to you, not a single one who was invited will have even a bite of my feast.’”

And large crowds gathered to him and he turning, said to them, "If someone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters and even his own soul is not able to be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and comes after me is not able to be my disciple. For who of you, wishing to build a tower does not first sit down to figure out the expense to see if he has to completion? Or else, laying his foundation and doesn't have resources to finish, all who see will begin to make fun of him, saying, 'This man began to build and is not able to finish!'

Jesus noticed that a crowd had gathered, outside the party, listening, so he said to them, “Many of you want to follow me, and be a part of my school. You can learn to do miracles, to be holy, to obtain God’s kingdom. But listen carefully—you can’t be a student in my school until you hate your father, hate your mother, hate your wife, hate your children and brothers and sisters. You can’t be part of my school until you hate your very life. To be a part of my school, you’ve got to be ready to be branded a rebel and killed as a traitor. Look,if you are going to paint your house, you want to know how much it will cost ahead of time, don’t you? Because otherwise, you get halfway done and run out of money to buy more paint and anyone passing by laughs at you and says, ‘Look, this guy started something but he couldn’t finish it.’

Or what king, going to meet another king in battle, will not sit down first to consider if he is able with ten thousand to fight against twenty thousand upon him. Or else, while he is far, is he sending messengers to ask for peace? In the same way, therefore, all of you who does not give up everything of his own possessions is not bale to be my disciple.

Suppose two countries were at war. The presidents of the countries would certainly sit down and make sure that their army was large enough to defeat the other. But suppose that one found that his army was only half the size of the other. Wouldn't he begin working out a negotiation of peace, surrendering everything he had to prevent this war? Even so, God is coming, and you aren't ready for him. If you want to be in my school, and so be ready, you must surrender all of your possessions, just like that king."

Therefore salt is good, but if even salt is pointless, with what will it be seasoned? It is of no use, neither for the earth, nor for the dung-heap. It is thrown out. He who has hears to hear, let him hear.

You may think that you are different, the salt of the earth, the stuff of which the church will really make a difference. But if salt has no flavor—if it’s just the same as everything else—then how can you make it useful again? It is pointless—not of any use for food or anything else. So we just throw it out. What do you think God will do with “salt” that is the same as dirt? If you’ve got a half a brain, then understand this.

The Good Muslim

2007-09-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

A Bible professor approached Jesus, wishing to test his teaching. He asked, “Teacher, what should I do to obtain God’s life that never ends?” Jesus said, “What does it say in the Bible? How do you understand it?” The professor answered, “You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. And you will love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus, impressed, replied, “This is correct. Live this out, and eternal life is yours.” But knowing he had not lived this out—and had no intention to—but wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “But, really, who is my neighbor?” Jesus sighed and responded, “There was a man traveling from Washington D.C. to New York and some terrorists kidnapped him, stripped his clothes off and beat him half to death, leaving by the side of the road, helpless. Now it so happened that a Mennonite pastor passed by, and he saw him. But, thinking he was a homeless bum, he ignored him and went on his way. Then a Baptist worship leader drove by the same spot, but since he was in a hurry to make it on time to his worship service, he also ignored him and made it to the service on time. Then a Muslim drove by and saw the man laying on the side of the road. Compassion welled up in his heart and he stopped, got out his first aid kit, covered his wounds, put him in his car (getting blood all over the new seats) and drove him to the hospital. There he told the doctor, “If he doesn’t have any insurance, here’s my credit card number—just take it from my account.’ Now,” Jesus concluded, “Which of these was the neighbor to man attacked by terrorists?” The professor said, “The M- the one who had compassion on him.” Jesus smiled and looked him in the eye, “Now you do the same.”

Luke 15

2007-09-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Translations of Luke 15
(Literal in normal text, SKV in italics)

And all the tax gathers and sinners are to him drawn near to listen to him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes complained, saying, "This one welcomes sinners and eats with them."

All the homosexuals and the homeless and the drug dealers and sex workers and meth addicts and convicted child pornographers came to Jesus to listen to him. And the conservative evangelicals and the Bible scholars denounced him, “He is opening the door of the church to the wicked.”

But he said to the this parable, saying, "Which man of you who has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, wouldn't you leave behind the ninety-nine behind and go to the lost until it is found? And when he has found, he places it upon his shoulders, rejoicing. And coming home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I found my sheep which was lost.' I say to you that in the same way, at the repentance of one sinner, there is more rejoicing than over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

But Jesus told them this story, “Look, if you had a hundred cars and one of them was stolen, wouldn’t you forget about all the other ninety nine and just focus on the one until it was found? You’d call the police, call your neighbors and be generally freaked out—not about the ninety nine, but for the one that was lost. Then, when it is found, you would drive it home proudly and happily. And you’d call your neighbors and the police and say, ‘Praise God! My stolen car was found!” It is this very joy that God has when a single sinner repents and comes back to God, away from his sins. He loves that more than ninety nine church-goers who only ever say the right things.

"Or what woman having ten, even if she lost one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek carefully until it is found? And finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma I had lost! In the same way, I say to you, there is joy in the midst of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

“Suppose there was a woman with ten coins, worth a thousand dollars each and one of them came up missing. Wouldn’t she take out her flashlight and turn all the furniture upside down until it was found? Then, once it’s found then she calls up her neighbors and say, ‘Yeah, I had lost this expensive coin, but praise God, now I’ve found it.’ Even so does God rejoice over one sinner who turns back to God away from his sin.”

And he said, "A certain man had two sons. And the younger said to his father, 'Father, give to me the share of wealth that falls to me.' So he divided the wealth to them. And after not many days the younger son gathered everything together to leave on a journey to a distant country and there he wasted his wealth, living thoughtlessly. And spending all he had, a severe famine came to that country and he began to be in need. And going to be hired by one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him to his fields to tend pigs. And he coveted to be filled from the pods the pigs ate, and no one gave to him. But when he came to himself, he said, 'My father's hired men has more than enough bread, but I am dying of hunger! Getting up, I will go to my father and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired men." '

Jesus told them this story: “There was a father with two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Dad, I can’t wait for you to die to get my inheritance, so give it to me now.’ So the father divided all of his wealth and gave the two sons their own share. A few days later, the younger son collected his belongings and traveled to a godless nation and wasted the money, living by his impulses. After all his money was gone, an economic depression came upon the nation and he was in desperate need. After begging for a job, someone hired him to clean up rooms in a brothel, picking up needles and cleaning soiled sheets. No one actually ever paid him, so he began to starve, finding the crumbs left in the rooms to be appetizing. Finally, he came to his senses and said to himself, ‘Even the laziest of my fathers farmhands eat to their fill, and here I am starving to death? I know what I’ll do, I’ll go back to my father and tell him how evil I have been and then ask him to hire me. After all, I’m not worthy to be his son.’

And getting up, he came to his father. And when he was far away, his father saw him and had compassion for him and running, he fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am not worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly carry out the best robe and put it on him and give a ring upon his hand and sandals on the feet. Also bring the fatted calf, kill it and let us eat and celebrate. Because my son, this very one, was dead and is resurrected, he was lot and now is found."

“So he left that place, traveled back home and came to his father. His father saw him from a distance and felt his heart leap within him and he ran to his son, grabbing him and hugging him desperately. Once he could catch his breath, he said to his father, ‘Father, I have done evil before God and yourself. Don’t take me as a son—I don’t deserve it.’ His father, though, called his workers and said, ‘You—go into my room and get out my best clothes and shoes and give them to my son. You—get the necklace with the family crest on it and bring it here, and put it on him. You—get into the kitchen and prepare a feast with steak for everyone. Because this is my son the one who died. Now his come back to us from the dead—he was lost, but now he is returned.’

And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field and coming, he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called to himself one of the slaves and he asked, "What are these things?" And he said to him, "Your brother has come and your father killed the fattened calf because he received him in good health." But he was angry and did not want to come in. So his father came out and begged him. But he answered and said to his father, "Behold! These years I slave for you and I never broke a command of yours, and you never gave me a goat that I might celebrate with my friends! But when this son of yours, who ate up the wealth with prostitutes, came, you slaughtered the fatted calf for him!" And he said to him, "Son you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. But it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice, for your brother, this very one, was dead and is alive and was lost and is found.' "

“All the house was celebrating the return of the lost son. But the oldest son was at work, and as he was driving up to the house, he heard the blasting music and asked one of his father’s workers, standing outside, ‘What’s going on here?’ And the worker said, ‘Your brother has arrived today and so your father is feeding everyone steak because he is safe and sound.’ The older brother fumed at this and drove away. After a while his father called him and invited him to come and join the party. He yelled back at his father, “What kind of hypocrisy is this? I’ve worked for you for years and have always been a faithful son, always doing as you asked. But did you ever allow me to have a party with my friends? No, never! But this so-called “son” of yours shows up after just disappearing and using up all of your money on sex and drugs and everyone gets steak!’ His father spoke gently to him, ‘My son, I know how faithful you have been. You’ve always been there, and if you had asked I would have given you anything. But it is time for us all to have a party, because your brother who was dead has been resurrected. He was long lost, but he has returned.’ “

Jesus' Parables Against the Religious Politicians (Matthew 21:23-22:14)

2006-04-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

Jesus walked into the cathedral area and taught the people outside. In the middle of his teaching, the ruling priests and some members of congress approached and challenged him, "What gives you the right to act this way? You come into our city as if you were the king, and then begin kicking people out of the temple as if you were the high priest—who appointed you to be in charge of our city?" Jesus replied, "I’ll tell you what—answer my question and then I’ll answer yours. When John came offering people membership into God’s nation—was that his own idea, or was he appointed by God?" The rulers turned toward each other, and discussed their answer. "If we say John was appointed by God, he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him, then?’ And if we say that he was acting on his own authority, then the throngs around him will lynch us, for they consider John to be a prophet." So they replied, "We’re not sure about John." Jesus then said, "Then why should I tell you who my authority is? If you won’t commit yourselves, why should I commit myself?"

"So, you wise men, let me ask your judgement of this situation: A man had a garden which needed some tending one day, so he figured he would ask his kids to do it. He goes up to his first kid and says, "Could you please tend the garden?" The kid replies, "No way!" But after thinking about it, the kid changes his mind and works. Disappointed, the father goes to his second kid and asks the same question. This was a polite kid and he said, "Sure, no problem, dad." But, in the end, he neglected to actually do the work. So tell me: which one of these kids did the will of his Father?" The rulers of Jerusalem replied, "The first did." Jesus concluded, "Even so, prostitutes, homosexuals and drug users will be a part of God’s nation before you will. John told everyone freely the way of God—repentance from sins— and you didn’t believe him, but the sinners did. And even after you noted this, you still didn’t repent and believe in John.

"Here’s another event I want you to judge: An entrepreneur—the CEO of a large international corporation— established a successful business. He owned the building, bought the machines to manufacture the product, established security, and set up policies. Then he handed over the running of the business to managers, while working on other businesses. After a few months, he looked at the books and saw his business had made a profit. So he sent a group of messengers to the managers, asking for his share of the profit. The managers laughed, beat up the messengers, and even killed some. The CEO sent an even larger group of messengers, but the results were the same. So the CEO decided to send his son to them, thinking that they would respect the authority of the CEO’s son, and be ashamed of what they had done. But the managers saw the CEO’s son driving up and said to each other: "If we kill the son, we can have a legal right to the business!" So as the son walked in, they threw him out as if he was an intruder and killed him. So answer me, when the Lord of the business comes, what do you think he will do to the managers?" The rulers of Jerusalem said, "He will kill those managers before his eyes and select other managers that will give him his profit."

Jesus glared at the rulers. "Haven’t you read in the Bible, ‘We are amazed to see that the quarry-stone which the builders rejected as inadequate, that is the very stone selected by the Lord to be the mantelpiece.’ Those which you reject will be the very ones the Lord chooses to rule his people. God’s nation—which you have ruled so shabbily—will be given over to a people who accomplish the Lord’s will." After hearing his stories, the ruling priests and Republicans finally understood that he was talking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they were nervous about the crowds, because they considered him God’s spokesman.

Jesus, however, continued speaking to the rulers with another story: "God’s nation is like a president who invited all the most important rulers of the nation to his son’s wedding. He sent messengers, but the rulers didn’t want to come. So he gathered another group of messengers and instructed them, ‘Tell the rulers: "Everything is ready! Prime rib for everyone and champagne is flowing! Come to the wedding."’ The rulers, however, occupied by their own business, had the messengers arrested, insulted and killed. The president was furious and he sent his army to ravage their cities, arrest and execute those rulers. Then he said to the messengers that were left: ‘Those who received invitations to my son’s wedding weren’t worthy to come. Well, then, go out to the cities and towns and invite everyone to enter the wedding feast.’ So the messengers called to everyone they could, whether evil or good. Soon, the reception was filled with guests. As the president mingled, he noted that there was one who did not have the proper clothing. ‘Sir, how did you get in without proper clothing? Weren’t you provided with respectful clothes?’ The man was embarrassed, and he remained silent before the president. The president said to the guards, ‘Put this intruder in handcuffs and throw him out to the joyless existence, where many weep because they could not come in.’ For many are invited, but few are actually welcome."

Jesus on Moses' Law-- Matthew 5:17-48

2006-02-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

Some think that I am setting aside the Old Testament, especially Moses’ law—but I have not come to do that. Rather, I have come to complete the Old Testament. Pay attention, here: even the least bit of Moses’ law will stand written, until every minor part of it is done as it stands written. Therefore, whoever is lax with Moses’ law and teaches others to do the same—they may enter the coming kingdom, but they will be unimportant there. But whoever emphasizes obedience in their own lives and in others’, they will be called great in God’s kingdom. Unless you have a better righteousness than today’s Bible teachers, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You’ve heard the teaching, how Moses told the ancients, "Don’t murder." Some tell you that God judges just those who are guilty of murder. But I command you that every person who is hostile to others is going to be judged by God. In the kingdom, the one who insults another will be condemned by the Supreme Court. And the insulter will be punished by hell.

If you wish to make an offering to God and remember that you have wronged someone, then don’t finish making your offering. Making everyone else wait, first go and make it right with the one you wronged—then go to God.

You are going to God with all of these around you. Whomever you have wronged will accuse you before God. And for your debt to them, God will put you under the authority of Satan and Satan will put you in judgment. And you will not be released until you have repaid your debt, even the smallest bit.

You’ve heard the teaching, "Just don’t commit adultery." But I say to you that if you even look at the opposite sex with desire to possess, then you have already intended to commit adultery, and so you will be judged by God.

If your good eye is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, pluck it out and throw it away. It is to your benefit to lose even a part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown away into hell. If your good hand is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, chop it off and throw it away. It is to your benefit that you lose even a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown away into hell.

You’ve heard it taught, "If you want to divorce your wife, just give her a written notice of the fact." But I command you that if you divorce your spouse you are causing them to be unfaithful to your marital covenant—unless they have already been unfaithful. This means that if you marry a divorcee, you are committing adultery.

Again, you have heard it taught that Moses said, "Don’t break your oath." They teach you, "As long as you invoke God, you need to keep your promise." But I say to you, invoke nothing in your promises— not heaven nor earth nor Jerusalem. If you invoke any of them, you are ultimately invoking God— for heaven is God’s throne, the earth is God’s footstool and Jerusalem is God’s city. You might as well not invoke your head, either—it is God who determines what happens to your head. You don’t have the power to make a hair of it either white or black. Instead of invoking anything, just make a promise and keep it. Or don’t make a promise. But if you do anything else, you are an evil person, associated with Satan.

Some teach, "Whoever harms one’s eye must have his eye harmed, and whoever harms one’s tooth must have his tooth harmed." But I command you, do not resist an evil authority. As an authority wrongly slaps you, give him an opportunity to slap you again. As a creditor takes you to court to collect what he can, give him an opportunity to take more than you can afford. As a soldier conscripts you a legal amount, offer him more than the legal amount. If an authority demands something from you—give it to them. And if they insist on "borrowing" from you, let them have it.

You have been taught that Moses said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I command you to love your enemies and to pray blessings on those who harm you. Do this so you will be like your Father in heaven, and so you will be his children and so inherit his kingdom. God grants sunshine and rain to everyone without exclusion—no matter they are good or evil, righteous or unrighteous. God rewards only the righteous—but if you love only those who love you, how are you more righteous than any evildoer? If you offer blessings only to those you like, how are you more righteous than any pagan? So if you want God’s reward, then love without exclusion, even as the Father does.

God's People-- Matthew 5:3-16

2006-02-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

How fortunate are the oppressed because they will rule God’s kingdom!
How fortunate are the sorrowful, because God will cheer them up.
How fortunate are the lowly, because God will give them the earth.
How fortunate are those who desperately desire justice, because they will get just what they want.
How fortunate are those who act in compassion, for God will be compassionate to them.
How fortunate are those single-minded on God, for they will see Him.
How fortunate are the creators of peaceful communities, for God will make them rulers.
How fortunate are the sufferers for righteousness, because they will rule God’s kingdom!

How fortunate you are when your enemies verbally abuse you and do and speak evil against you because you follow me. When that happens, you are like the prophets of the past who suffered for their message they received from God. Even as they are now rewarded by God, so will you be. So when you are persecuted for me, be happy about what you will receive—jump up and down in joy and praise God!

You are essential for the world. But if you lose the basic qualities that make you important, you cannot regain them. You will be useless, cast out of God’s kingdom and trampled.

You are God’s glory and truth in the world. You are the kingdom of God to come, and you cannot be hidden. Nor should you be hidden—God’s glory should be displayed, not hidden. So display the true righteousness of God before everyone, so that people will see your acts of God and so glorify the Father.

Money Matters (Matthew 6:19-34)

2006-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Don’t collect important stuff on earth for your personal use. All stuff on earth breaks down, wears out, is destroyed or is stolen. Instead, if you give to the poor, God will keep the important stuff for you in heaven. There, your stuff never breaks down, wears out, gets destroyed or is stolen. Build up your savings account in heaven—for where you keep your stuff, that’s where your true self is kept.

The eye releases your light to the world around you. If your eye is generous, then we can see the light within you. But if your eye is covetous—desiring to have what others have—then we can know that your whole self is darkened, spiritually dead. Thus, if your enlightenment is pure darkness, your darkening is complete.

No one can truly have two gods he is committed to. In the end, every man will display his love for one god by consistently serving him and he will display his contempt for the other by neglecting service for him. You cannot commit yourself to both the Father God and the god of Wealth.

You might be concerned because giving everything to the poor seems like economic suicide. But listen to me—Don’t even think about your livelihood. Don’t worry about what you will eat or drink or wear. Your life, as a whole, is more than what you stuff in your mouth, isn’t it? And isn’t a living body more than having clothes to wear?

Study the birds. Do they go to stores, work to make money, have good paying jobs? No, they rely on the Father in heaven to feed them. Doesn’t God consider you more than they? And tell me, which one of you increased your quality or quantity of life by being anxious about the basics? And clothes—why bother about being concerned about them? Study wild flowers. You see how they spring up? They don’t haunt retail shops or even thrift stores, but even the richest woman in Beverly Hills isn’t clothed as beautifully as these. So if God provides clothes for flowers that pop up one day and are mowed down the next, surely he will provide for the mustard-seed-faith troupe.

So stop worrying! Stop saying "How can you ask this of us? How can we provide for ourselves? How can we survive?" You are talking like unbelievers—those who don’t know that God provides for them. Your Father knows what you need already. Focus instead on God’s kingdom and accomplishing God’s righteousness, and your boss—the Father—will provide all these basics for you. So stop being concerned about the future. It is enough to be concerned about today’s trouble, and let the future go.

Jesus Goes to A Christian Concert (Luke 14:11-33)

2006-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Jesus was invited by one of his disciples to go to a Christian concert one day.

As Jesus came in, he saw that many were trying to get the attention of their friends on or behind the stage to let them in. Jesus turned to those with him and said, "When you go to a concert, don’t try to get up on stage, or else a security person might come and throw you out because you are being disruptive. Instead, stand back, waiting, until your friend behind the stage sees you and says, ‘Hey, you want to come back here?’ and you will be escorted into the stage area. Even so, where God rules, everyone who exalts themselves will be lowered, and everyone who lowers themselves will be exalted."

Then Jesus said to the one who invited him, "If you go to a concert or have a party, don’t invite your friends or relatives or coworkers. Because they will just invite you to the next event, and so pay you back. Instead, invite the homeless and the handicapped, and people with social and mental disorders. Because they will never be able to pay you back and instead you will gain your repayment from God on the last day."

One of the people in Jesus’ group heard this and said, "I can’t wait to enjoy the party when God rules!"

Jesus replied, "God’s rule is like a man who was giving a huge, expensive party—a Martha Stewart affair. And there were many who were invited to dress up and come. So he began to call them up and remind them to come. One of those invited said, ‘Oh, I can’t make it, I’ve got to work late.’ Another said, ‘My wife wants me to stay home tonight.’ Another said, ‘I’ve got a business meeting to attend to. Sorry, I can’t come.’ The man became very angry and called a friend of his, ‘These worthless people won’t come. So come with me and let’s bring in the homeless, the handicapped and the mentally and socially disabled.’ After they brought in all of these they could find, there was still room left. So the man told his friend, ‘Okay, let’s go outside of town and invite anyone on the street who happens to be passing by until all the spaces are filled. But not one of those who were invited will even taste of my dinner.’ "

Because Jesus was a celebrity, he was invited to say a few words on stage to the crowd. "Look, I know that many of you have thought about following me. I just wanted to let you know, if any of you want to follow me, you will have to love me more than you love your spouse or children, more than you love your mother or father, more than you love your brothers or sisters or friends. In fact, if you don’t love me more than you love your own life, you cannot follow me. Anyone who follows me will be punished by those who don’t love me like that, and some of you will be killed—you need to recognize that.

"Look," Jesus said, "if you are going to paint your house, you want to know how much it will cost ahead of time, don’t you? Because otherwise, you get halfway done and run out of money to buy more paint and anyone passing by laughs at you and says, ‘Look, this guy started something but he couldn’t finish it.’ And the neighborhood association will be at your door and ask you to finish it or to move away.

"Let’s say there’s a general who is calculating the chances he has in a war. If he has ten thousand troops as opposed to the other general who has twenty thousand troops, he had better figure out if he will do war against his enemy or surrender and offer reprisals in order to make peace.

"Even so, recognize, if anyone wants to follow me, he needs to give up his possessions."

Then Jesus got down and left.

Religious Deeds (Matthew 6:1-18)

2006-01-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Don’t do your religious deeds openly so that you would gain something from others, or else you will not gain any blessing from your Father in heaven.

When you give to the poor, don’t let it be known with a megaphone, as some pretenders do in churches and benevolence centers so that people would say how great they are. Listen here, they’ve already got their pay. As for you, keep your giving even a secret from yourself— hide it, if you can. For God sees every hidden thing and will pay you back according to what he sees.

When you pray, don’t be like the pretenders who make a show of praying in the churches and on street corners so people would notice their prayers. Listen to me, they have already got everything they asked for. But as for you, pray in the room with no windows, shut the door and pray to your Father, whom no one sees. But God, he will see you in hiding and give to you accordingly.

Also, don’t go on and on in prayer, like people who don’t believe—they think God hears them because of their speech. Your Father knows your need before you even ask, so don’t be like those who get carried away with long prayers.

This is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven
Your reputation is smeared—make your name holy!
This world is corrupt—make your kingdom come!
Make your desire be accomplished on earth, even as it is truly accomplished in heaven!
Give us everything we need this day to survive.
Cancel our debt to you, as we will cancel the debts others owe us.
Don’t bring us into situations that test our faith in You
But take us out of the realm of evil.

If you wipe away people’s sins, your Father will fully accept you. But if you do not fully accept others, your Father will not wipe away your sins.

When you fast before God, don’t be a sad sack like the pretenders—they put on an unhappy face so people would notice their fasting. Listen to me, they’ve already got everything they’re fasting for. As for you, act in your fast as you normally would—put on normal clothes and do your normal hygiene. No one will notice your fast except your Father in heaven, who is unseen. God will see your hidden act and give to you accordingly.