Proverbs 2:6-15 Love Letters from Solomon and Ray: The Bible & Nielsen
If you have watched either our web or our YouTube channel, you know that we are not members of the Thought Police. But how would you describe the routine of your daily life? This study by Nielsen along with this passage from Proverbs Is well worth looking at. Here’s Ray to share it.
Proverbs 2:6-15 Love Letters from Solomon and Ray: The Bible & Nielsen
Proverbs 2:1-6 Love Letters from Solomon and Ray Solomon this time has words for us about the booze we choose or drinking from the well that will really quench our thirst. I had a philosophy in college after the second time I got drunk and for a second time and was so sick I wished I would die, That I wasn’t ever going to drink alcohol again. I wasn’t a Christian at that time but I realized as a non-Christian that I wanted to feel the fullness of whatever sin I was committing. I’m not at all proud of thinking that way then but it still was better than going blotto and losing control of my mind.
Whoever you are, I really believe you are going to enjoy what I’d like to share with you right now. – Ray
Proverbs 1:20-33 Love Letters from Solomon and Ray Have you ever called someone a “wiseguy?” Well, if he really was wise that’s a compliment. But the difference between knowledge and wisdom are like the difference between night and day. In this love letter, the Holy Spirit is actively shouting in the streets for you to hear Him. Join Ray now and see if you’d like to do that.
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Proverbs 1:20-33 Love Letters from Solomon and Ray
A television commercial a few years ago should a picture of an older woman lying on the floor and crying out “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” I wasn’t lying on the floor, but that’s how I felt between January of 2002 and May 2006. My life was a mess. After thirty-four years in ministry, how could I have just walked away from my wife and that ministry? And how could I possibly think that the Lord had anything at all to do with what I was doing? But He did.
Proverbs says “The righteous person falls seven times, but the Lord lifts them up.” You may be in for a number of surprises when you join me right now. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Ray has paused a few days so that you could carefully discover the first eight steps that you need to take if you want to put new and wonderful joy in your life. Now he’s ready to share the ninth step. Join him to receive still another key.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, [a]magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the [b]Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written [c]by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them [d]the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they [e]fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
The Flight to Egypt 13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
14 So [f]Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He [g]remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Herod Slaughters Babies 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.” 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So [h]Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Footnotes:
Matthew 2:1 A caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science
Matthew 2:4 Gr Christos (Christ)
Matthew 2:5 Or through
Matthew 2:7 Lit the time of the appearing star
Matthew 2:11 Lit prostrated; i.e. face down in a prone position to indicate worship
39 Now [a]at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And [b]how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who [c]believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her [d]by the Lord.”
The Magnificat
46 And Mary said:
“My soul [e]exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His [f]bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is [g]upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
51 “He has done [h]mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the [i]thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
[j]In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his [k]descendants forever.”
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
John Is Born
57 Now the time [l]had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had [m]displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, [n]after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [a]accomplished among us,2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning [b]were eyewitnesses and[c]servants of the [d]word,3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having [e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [f]taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named [g]Zacharias, of the division of [h]Abijah; and he had a wife [i]from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.6 They were bothrighteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in [j]years.
8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear [k]gripped him.13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will [l]give him the name John.14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit [m]while yet in his mother’s womb.16 And he willturn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in [n]years.”19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who [o]stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.20 And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept [p]making signs to them, and remained mute.23 When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
24 After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she [q]kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,25 “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favorupon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,27 toa virgin [r]engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the [s]descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was [t]Mary.28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, [u]favored one! The Lord [v]is with you.”29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”34 Mary said to the angel, “How [w]can this be, since I [x]am a virgin?”35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the[y]holy Child shall be called the Son of God.36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and [z]she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.37 For[aa]nothing will be impossible with God.”38 And Mary said, “Behold, the [ab]bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:27Or betrothed; i.e. the first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night. More legal than engagement
Luke 1:27Or betrothed; i.e. the first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night. More legal than engagement
18 Now the birth of Jesus [r]Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been [s]betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned [t]to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for [u]the Child who has been [v]conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for [w]He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this [x]took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name [y]Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph [z]awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 [aa]but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Footnotes:
Matthew 1:1 Lit book
Matthew 1:1 Heb Yeshua (Joshua), meaning The Lord saves
Matthew 1:1 Gr Christos (Christ), Gr for Messiah, which means Anointed One
Matthew 1:2 Lit fathered, and throughout the genealogy
Matthew 1:2 Lit and…, and throughout the genealogy
Matthew 1:2 Gr Judas; names of people in the Old Testament are given in their Old Testament form
Matthew 1:3 Gr Aram
Matthew 1:6 Lit her of Uriah
Matthew 1:7 Gr Asaph
Matthew 1:8 Also Gr for Jehoram in 2 King 8:16; cf 1 Chron 3:11
Matthew 1:9 Gr Joatham
Matthew 1:10 Gr Amos
Matthew 1:11 Jehoiachin in 2 Kin 24:15
Matthew 1:12 Gr Salathiel
Matthew 1:13 Gr Abioud, usually spelled Abiud
Matthew 1:16 Gr Christos (Christ)
Matthew 1:17 Gr Christos (Christ)
Matthew 1:18 I.e. The Messiah
Matthew 1:18 The first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night, more legal than an engagement
Take Time With God #117 – Being A Christian Ain’t For Wimps!
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a [a]reception we had [b]with you, and how you turned to God from [c]idols to serve [d]a living and true God,10 and to wait for His Son from [e]heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our [f]coming to you was not in vain,2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much [g]opposition.
How Did Jesus Know What To Do Next? – The Life of Christ on Earth Mark 1:29-45
Mark 1:29-45 New International Version (NIV)
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.33 The whole town gathered at the door,34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
40 A man with leprosy[a] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Footnotes:
Mark 1:40The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
Mark 1:41Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion
Going deeper into the book of Revelation(1–8) The Orthodox Study Bible
Going deeper into the book of Revelation(1–8) The Orthodox Study Bible
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His the angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His the angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
John, to the 7 churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the 7 Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed (freed) us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Going deeper into the book of Revelation (1–8) The Orthodox Study Bible
