This tells of many important examples of faith. -------------------------------------------------- From: "O.Addison Gethers" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 7:23 AM To: "Deaf-blind inspirational life groups" <[email protected]> Subject: {dbilg} Fw: Daily Bible Reading For Thursday December 17
> > O. Addison Gethers > > e-mail address > [email protected] > [email protected] > > twitter > URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers > > Messenger contact > window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: > cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS > rs > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Donnie Parrett" <[email protected]> > To: "Donnie Parrett" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 11:23 PM > Subject: Daily Bible Reading For Thursday December 17 > > >> Day 351 >> >> Hebrews 10 >> The Sacrifice of Jesus >> 1-10The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. >> Since >> that old "law plan" >> wasn't complete in itself, it couldn't complete those who followed it. No >> matter how many sacrifices >> were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. >> If they had, the >> worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down >> by >> their sins. But instead >> of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated >> over and over they actually >> heightened awareness and guilt. The plain fact is that bull and goat >> blood >> can't get rid of sin. >> That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ: >> >> You don't want sacrifices and offerings year after year; >> you've prepared a body for me for a sacrifice. >> It's not fragrance and smoke from the altar >> that whet your appetite. >> So I said, "I'm here to do it your way, O God, >> the way it's described in your Book." >> When he said, "You don't want sacrifices and offerings," he was referring >> to practices according to >> the old plan. When he added, "I'm here to do it your way," he set aside >> the first in order to enact >> the new plan-God's way-by which we are made fit for God by the >> once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. >> 11-18Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old >> sacrifices year in, year >> out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made >> a >> single sacrifice for >> sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for >> his enemies to cave in. It >> was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very >> imperfect >> people. By that single >> offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes >> part in the purifying >> process. The Holy Spirit confirms this: >> >> This new plan I'm making with Israel >> isn't going to be written on paper, >> isn't going to be chiseled in stone; >> This time "I'm writing out the plan in them, >> carving it on the lining of their hearts." >> He concludes, >> I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. >> Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer >> sacrifices for them. >> >> Don't Throw It All Away >> 19-21So, friends, we can now-without hesitation-walk right up to God, >> into >> "the Holy Place." Jesus >> has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest >> before God. The "curtain" >> into God's presence is his body. >> 22-25So let's do it-full of belief, confident that we're presentable >> inside and out. Let's keep a >> firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. >> Let's see how inventive we >> can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping >> together as some do but spurring >> each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. >> >> 26-31If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've >> been >> given, all the truth we >> now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face >> the Judgment-and a mighty >> fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses >> is physical death, what do >> you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice >> that >> made you whole, and >> insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned >> us that he'll hold us to >> account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I >> won't overlook a thing" >> and "God will judge his people." Nobody's getting by with anything, >> believe me. >> >> 32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were >> the hard times! Kicked >> around in public, targets of every kind of abuse-some days it was you, >> other days your friends. If >> some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in >> and seized your goods, you >> let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. >> Nothing they did bothered >> you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure >> of yourselves then. It's >> still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan >> so you'll be there for the >> promised completion. >> >> It won't be long now, he's on the way; >> he'll show up most any minute. >> But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; >> if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy. >> But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and >> survive, trusting all the way. >> >> Hebrews 11 >> Faith in What We Don't See >> 1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this >> faith, is the firm foundation >> under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we >> can't see. The act of >> faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. >> 3By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we >> see created by what we >> don't see. >> >> 4By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It >> was what he believed, not >> what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and >> approved as righteous. After >> all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice. >> >> 5-6By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all >> over and couldn't find him >> because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony >> that before he was taken "he >> pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? >> Because anyone who wants to >> approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to >> respond to those who seek >> him. >> >> 7By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned >> about something he couldn't >> see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His >> act of faith drew a sharp >> line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the >> believing world. As a >> result, Noah became intimate with God. >> >> 8-10By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an >> unknown place that would >> become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an >> act >> of faith he lived in the >> country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and >> Jacob did the same, living >> under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen >> city with real, eternal >> foundations-the City designed and built by God. >> >> 11-12By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she >> was at the time, because >> she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how >> it happened that from one >> man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the >> millions. >> >> 13-16Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what >> was promised, but still >> believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved >> their greeting, and >> accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who >> live >> this way make it plain >> that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the >> old country, they could >> have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better >> country than that-heaven >> country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting >> for them. >> >> 17-19By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to >> God. >> Acting in faith, he was >> as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to >> receive him-and this after he >> had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." Abraham >> figured that if God wanted >> to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that's what happened when he >> received Isaac back, alive >> from off the altar. >> >> 20By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob >> and Esau. >> >> 21By an act of faith, Jacob on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph's sons >> in turn, blessing them >> with God's blessing, not his own-as he bowed worshipfully upon his staff. >> >> 22By an act of faith, Joseph, while dying, prophesied the exodus of >> Israel, and made arrangements >> for his own burial. >> >> 23By an act of faith, Moses' parents hid him away for three months after >> his birth. They saw the >> child's beauty, and they braved the king's decree. >> >> 24-28By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian >> royal house. He chose a >> hard life with God's people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin >> with the oppressors. He >> valued suffering in the Messiah's camp far greater than Egyptian wealth >> because he was looking >> ahead, anticipating the payoff. By an act of faith, he turned his heel on >> Egypt, indifferent to the >> king's blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept >> right on going. By an act of >> faith, he kept the Passover Feast and sprinkled Passover blood on each >> house so that the destroyer >> of the firstborn wouldn't touch them. >> >> 29By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. >> The >> Egyptians tried it and >> drowned. >> >> 30By faith, the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho for seven >> days, and the walls fell >> flat. >> >> 31By an act of faith, Rahab, the Jericho harlot, welcomed the spies and >> escaped the destruction >> that came on those who refused to trust God. >> >> 32-38I could go on and on, but I've run out of time. There are so many >> more- Gideon, Barak, Samson, >> Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets....Through acts of faith, they >> toppled kingdoms, made justice >> work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, >> fires, and sword thrusts, >> turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women >> received their loved ones >> back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give >> in and go free, preferring >> something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, >> chains and dungeons. We >> have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold >> blood; stories of vagrants >> wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless-the >> world didn't deserve >> them!-making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the >> world. >> >> 39-40Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were >> exemplary, got their hands on >> what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our >> faith would come together >> to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from >> ours. >> >> Hebrews 12 >> Discipline in a Long-Distance Race >> 1-3Do you see what this means-all these pioneers who blazed the way, all >> these veterans cheering us >> on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and >> never quit! No extra >> spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began >> and finished this race >> we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he >> was >> headed-that exhilarating >> finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: >> Cross, >> shame, whatever. And now >> he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find >> yourselves flagging in your >> faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of >> hostility he plowed through. That >> will shoot adrenaline into your souls! >> 4-11In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse >> than >> you, to say nothing of >> what Jesus went through-all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for >> yourselves. Or have you >> forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as >> his >> children? >> >> My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, >> but don't be crushed by it either. >> It's the child he loves that he disciplines; >> the child he embraces, he also corrects. >> God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating >> you as dear children. This >> trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience >> of children. Only >> irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you >> prefer an irresponsible God? >> We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not >> embrace God's training so we >> can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best >> to them. But God is doing >> what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, >> discipline isn't much fun. It >> always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays >> off handsomely, for it's >> the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with >> God. >> >> 12-13So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear >> the path for >> long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step >> in >> a hole and sprain an >> ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! >> >> 14-17Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll >> never get so much as a >> glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep >> a >> sharp eye out for weeds >> of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole >> garden in no time. Watch out >> for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to >> satisfy a short-term appetite. >> You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted >> God's >> blessing-but by then it >> was too late, tears or no tears. >> >> An Unshakable Kingdom >> 18-21Unlike your ancestors, you didn't come to Mount Sinai-all that >> volcanic blaze and earthshaking >> rumble-to hear God speak. The earsplitting words and soul-shaking message >> terrified them and they >> begged him to stop. When they heard the words-"If an animal touches the >> Mountain, it's as good as >> dead"-they were afraid to move. Even Moses was terrified. >> 22-24No, that's not your experience at all. You've come to Mount Zion, >> the >> city where the living >> God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive >> angels and Christian >> citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us >> just. You've come to Jesus, >> who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the >> Mediator of this covenant. >> The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's-a homicide that cried out for >> vengeance-became a proclamation of >> grace. >> >> 25-27So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who >> ignored earthly warnings didn't >> get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly >> warnings? His voice that >> time shook the earth to its foundations; this time-he's told us this >> quite >> plainly-he'll also rock >> the heavens: "One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern." The >> phrase "one last shaking" >> means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and >> religious junk so that the >> unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. >> >> 28-29Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how >> thankful we must be? Not >> only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For >> God is not an indifferent >> bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, >> and he won't quit until >> it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire! >> >> Hebrews 13 >> Jesus Doesn't Change >> 1-4Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready >> with a meal or a bed when >> it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever >> knowing it! Regard prisoners >> as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what >> happened to them had >> happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual >> intimacy between wife and >> husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. >> 5-6Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with >> what you have. Since God >> assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we >> can boldly quote, >> >> God is there, ready to help; >> I'm fearless no matter what. >> Who or what can get to me? >> >> 7-8Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a >> good look at the way they >> live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their >> truthfulness. There should be a >> consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change-yesterday, >> today, tomorrow, he's >> always totally himself. >> >> 9Don't be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The >> grace of Christ is the only >> good ground for life. Products named after Christ don't seem to do much >> for those who buy them. >> >> 10-12The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for >> exploitation by insiders who >> grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies >> disposed of outside the >> camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for >> sin. It's the same with >> Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates-that is where he poured >> out >> the sacrificial blood >> that was brought to God's altar to cleanse his people. >> >> 13-15So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is-not trying >> to be privileged insiders, >> but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This "insider world" is not >> our home. We have our eyes >> peeled for the City about to come. Let's take our place outside with >> Jesus, no longer pouring out >> the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from >> our lips to God in Jesus' >> name. >> >> 16Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for >> the common good; share >> what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of >> worship-a different kind of >> "sacrifice"-that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. >> >> 17Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They >> are alert to the condition >> of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to >> the joy of their >> leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder >> for >> them? >> >> 18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but >> it's hard going and we need >> your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we >> may be together soon. >> >> May God, who puts all things together, >> makes all things whole, >> Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, >> the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, >> Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, >> up and alive from the dead, >> Now put you together, provide you >> with everything you need to please him, >> Make us into what gives him most pleasure, >> by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. >> All glory to Jesus forever and always! >> Oh, yes, yes, yes. >> >> 22-23Friends, please take what I've written most seriously. I've kept >> this >> as brief as possible; I >> haven't piled on a lot of extras. You'll be glad to know that Timothy has >> been let out of prison. If >> he leaves soon, I'll come with him and get to see you myself. >> >> 24Say hello to your pastoral leaders and all the congregations. Everyone >> here in Italy wants to be >> remembered to you. >> >> 25Grace be with you, every one. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ~~~~~ >> Please join us on Skype Monday thru Friday at 8:00 EST for our Morning >> Skype Prayer Time. >> Also, follow my tweets on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/Donnie1261 >> >> >> Contact Me At: >> Donnie Parrett >> 1956 Asa Flat Road >> Annville, Kentucky 40402 >> Home Phone: 606-364-3321 >> Church Phone: 606-364-PRAY >> Skype Name: Donnie1261 >> Email: [email protected] >> >> > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. 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