Thirteen - Edition #13

So, I figured that since I didn't know what the last scripture is, I thought I would do a few of the Proverbs that contain a verse 31. Now, I don't know if I have the right chapter or right verse (because one of them is wrong), but I do know the passage is in Proverbs. So, here is the bonus and final edition of THIRTEEN.

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 11:31

If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Proverbs 14:31

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 15:31

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

Proverbs 21:31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The reason for choosing these particular verses over others is simply because the passage that is in Proverbs that we had looked at weeks ago was a stand-alone verse... the other verse 31's in Proverbs really need the surrounding verses for explanation.

Thirteen - Edition #12

Psalm 68:6

God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

I just don't know what to make of this passage. I really don't. But I think maybe the words in burgundy might add some light, some understanding of this verse and hopefully some depth to what is being said. I hope so... I don't remember what what said on this verse from several weeks ago. Oh, and this is the last edition of this series since I couldn't figure out what the 13th passage was... what I do know is that it is not Proverbs 13:31 (yeah, that doesn't exist).

Lonely (adjective)
yâchîyd (pronounced: yaw-kheed')

• Properly united, that is, sole; by implication beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replace): darling, desolate, only (child, son), solitary.
• Only, only one, solitary, one (adjective).
• Unique, solitary, only begotten son, one (substantive).

Prisoners (noun)

'âsîyr (pronounced: aw-sere')

• Bound, that is, a captive: (those which are) bound, prisoner.
• Prisoner, captive, bondman

I think, and I could be completely off the mark, but I think that this passage is just saying that even in the roughest of times, it is better to be with God than rebel against him. I think I missed the key word in the first part of the scripture. God SETS... I think this word sets can shine a little more light on all of this.

Sets (verb)
yâshab (pronounced: yaw-shab')

• Properly to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication to dwell, to remain; causatively to settle, to marry: (make to) abide (abiding), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell (dwelling), ease self, endure, establish, , fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit (inhabitant), make to keep [house], lurking, marry (marrying), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set (settle), sit (sit down, sit still, sitting down, sitting place), take, tarry.
• To dwell, remain, sit, abide, to sit, sit down, to be set, stay, have one’s abode, to be inhabited, to set, place, to cause to sit, to cause (cities) to be inhabited, to marry (give an dwelling to), to be inhabited

God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

I'm still confused. I really don't get this scripture, but it is not because I haven't worked on it. I'm not sure what else to do... I guess I just need to let it dwell within me for a while and maybe I'll get it. I'd apprecaite any thoughts from you, whoever read this. Thanks, Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #11

2nd Corinthians 6:13
As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

I hadn't thought of this before, but this scripture makes it seem as if Paul did have children. The whole "I speak as to MY children" implies as though he had children, which would have made him married. I guess he could have meant it metaphorically, but it's difficult to say one way or another. Anyway, open wide your hearts... that is what I am going to actually focus on today. I think I should first off rephrase it to make it personal. Open wide my heart.

Open Wide Your Heart (verb)
platunō (pronounced: plat-oo'-no)

• To widen (literally or figuratively): make broad, enlarge.
• To make broad, enlarge.
• Be enlarged in heart, i.e. to welcome and embrace you in love.

And that is it. Instead of thinking... open wide my heart, I should take the perspective of enlarging my heart. Think of someone who has a "big heart". What does that person's character say about them? It would be generous, giving, thoughtful, caring... those are what come to my mind. How about "out of themself" and joyful? Yeah, I can see that. All great things about a person who has a "big heart". I guess that's all I have for this Saturday. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #10

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I think I am going to check out more than just exasperate. But exasperate is first and foremost on the list.

Exasperate (verb)

parorgizō (pronounced: par-org-id'-zo)

• To anger alongside, that is, enrage: anger, provoke to wrath.
• To rouse to wrath, to provoke, exasperate, anger.

Exasperate (verb)

• To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely.
• To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.
• make furious.

So, fathers do not provoke your children to anger... don't make the kids angry or impatient. So what do fathers need to do? The answer is to train and instruct the children in the way of the Lord. OK, so I think it goes a little further than that in this passage. And that's what I am going to do, take it a little further.

Training (noun)

paideia (pronounced: pahee-di'-ah)

• Tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.
• The whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body.
• Whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.
• Instruction which aims at increasing virtue.
• Chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment).

Instruction (noun)
nouthesia (pronounced: noo-thes-ee'-ah)

• Calling attention to, that is, (by implication) mild rebuke or warning: admonition.
• Admonition, exhortation.

Admonition (noun)

• Mild, kind, yet earnest reproof.
• Cautionary advice or warning.
• Cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness).
• Counsel, advice, or caution.
• A gentle reproof

Exhortation (noun)

• A communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action.
• An utterance, discourse, or address conveying urgent advice or recommendations.
• A speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises.

Exhort (verb)

• Spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
• Force or impel in an indicated direction

I felt the need to check out exhort, since that is the root of exhortation. There were several definitions on how exhortation is the process of exhorting... so I checked out exhort. So, Fathers, do not frustrate and anger your children; instead, bring them up by correcting mistakes and curbing passions and exhortation of the Lord. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #9

Ephesians 4:22

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.

Old (adjective)
palaios (pronounced: pal-ah-yos')

• Antique, that is, not recent, worn out: old.
• Old, ancient
• No longer new, worn by use, the worse for wear, old

Self (noun)
anthrōpos (pronounced: anth'-ro-pos)

• (The countenance); manfaced, that is, a human being: certain, man.
• A human being, whether male or female
• Generically, to include all human individuals
• To distinguish man from beings of a different order
• Of animals and plants
• Of from God and Christ
• Of the angels
• With the added notion of weakness, by which man is led into a mistake or prompted to sin
• With the adjunct notion of contempt or disdainful pity
• With reference to two fold nature of man, body and soul
• With reference to the two fold nature of man, the corrupt and the truly Christian man, conformed to the nature of God
• With reference to sex, a male
• Indefinitely, someone, a man, one
• In the plural, people
• Joined with other words, merchantman

That's too much information. I think the red information, however, is what I am looking for in this Greek definition. Put away your corrupt self and follow God. And what is the corrupt self? It is the part of man that is controlled by your deceitful desires. So, my old self is my desires of my flesh. That's what it is. The King James Version says deceitful lusts. But before I dig even further from other translations, here is what the Greek has to say:

Deceitful (noun)
apatē (Pronounced: ap-at'-ay)

• Delusion: deceit (deceitful, deceitfulness), deceivableness (deceiving).
• Deceit, deceitfulness

Desires (noun)
epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah)

• A longing (especially for what is forbidden): concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
• Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

Concupiscence (noun):

• Sexual desire; lust.
• Ardent, usually sensuous, longing.
• A strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust.
• A desire for sexual intimacy.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your ancient nature, which is being corrupted by its delusional lusts. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #8

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This is a great little passage. Living Sacrifice, what is a living sacrifice? Just looking at the phrase implies a person who is living for dying. It gives a feeling of someone who lives a life for not today or of this world, but with thoughts of what the afterlife will bring.

To put it into comparison, what is a life on earth of 80 years compared to 20,000 years in heaven with God? There really is no comparison when you look at it like that... but, I still feel the need to check out the Greek.

Actually, the Greek has living sacrifices as two words. I was thinking in the Greek it might have been just one word.

Living (verb)

zaō (pronounced: dzah'-o)

• To live (literally or figuratively): life (lifetime), (alive) live (lively), quick.
• To live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
• To enjoy real life
• To have true life and worthy of the name
• Active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
• To live, i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
• Of mortals or character
• Living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
• Metaphorically to be in full vigour
• To be fresh, strong, efficient
• As adjective active, powerful, efficacious

Now... for sacrifices.

Sacrifices (noun)
thusia (pronounced: thoo-see'-ah)

• Sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively): sacrifice.
• A sacrifice, victim

OK, this is going to take just a little more digging. I could be a living victim or a living sacrifice. But I like the concept of being a living victim.

Sacrifice (noun):

• The offering of animal, plant, or human life or of some material possession to a deity, as in propitiation or homage.
• The person, animal, or thing so offered.
• The surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.
• The thing so surrendered or devoted.
• A loss incurred in selling something below its value.

Sacrifice (verb):

• To offer as a sacrifice to a deity.
• To forfeit (one thing) for another thing considered to be of greater value.
• To sell or give away at a loss.

OK, now to look at victim in the dictionary.

Victim (noun):

• An unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance.
• A person who is tricked or swindled.
• One who is harmed or killed by another.
• A living creature slain and offered as a sacrifice during a religious rite.
• One who is harmed by or made to suffer from an act, circumstance, agency, or condition.
• A person who suffers injury, loss, or death as a result of a voluntary undertaking.
• A person who is tricked, swindled, or taken advantage of.

So, here's my thought on all this... if I am to be a living sacrifice and a living victim, per se, then I am to be a person who is offering myself to my God daily, CONSTANTLY. I am to be a person who constantly taking a loss for the benefit of others. That may sound a little strange, but that is where the "victim" part comes in. Jesus was a victim at the hands of sinful men. He was sacrificed. And I am to immitate Christ. And if I am immitating Christ, then I am to be a victim of this world for the gain in the next.

I guess that is where the transforming comes in, when this attitude is attained. I guess to follow Christ, you have to be more than meets the eye. Post a comment if you get that one... anyway,

Transform (verb)
metamorphoō (pronounced: met-am-or-fo'-o)

• To transform (literally or figuratively "metamorphose"): change, transfigure, transform.
• To change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.
• Christ appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration.

Looking at the Greek word "metamorphoo", it looks like metamorphasis. And when I here that, I think of a catapillar turning into a butterfly and a tadpole into a frog. Both go through a metamorphasis. And for me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, I have to go through a mind-change, which is a repenting of my old ways and turning to new ways, Biblical ways. Well, Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #7

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

OK, so Biblically, what is an outsider that they are refering to here?

Outsiders (adverb):
exō (pronounced: ex'-o):

• Out (side, of doors), literally or figuratively: - away, forth, (with-) out (of, -ward), strange.
• Without, out of doors.

Opportunity (verb)
exagorazō (Pronounced: ex-ag-or-ad'-zo):

• To redeem, by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off, metaphorically of Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of his vicarious death, to buy up, to buy up for one’s self, for one’s use, to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own.
• To buy up, that is, ransom; figuratively to rescue from loss (improve opportunity): - redeem.

This is great! I love the definition on opportunity, the part of being free from Mosaic Law... I just have never thought of it that way. It's eye opening. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #6

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Instruction: mûsâr (pronounced: moo-sawr')

• Discipline, chastening, correction
• Properly chastisement; figuratively reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint: - bond, chastening, check, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
  

Accept rebuke. Accept doctrine. Accept warning. Accept chastening. OK, the last one, I have no clue what chastening is... so, let's look it up!

Chastening (verb):

• To correct by punishment or reproof; take to task.
• To restrain; subdue.
• To rid of excess; refine or purify.
• A rebuke for making a mistake.

Accept the punishment or rebuke for making a mistake. Good stuff. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #5

Thirteen - Edition #5

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

It would be good to let my light shine. Even in the darkest of dark rooms, a light can be seen. In the darkest of sinful worlds, a good deed and praise to the Lord is light to the world. Question: Am I letting my light shine, or do I cover it with a bowl so that it cannot be seen?

Thirteen - Edition #4

Hebrews 3:12-13

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Ah, the power of an encouraging word. It is like honey to the ears. I am pretty sure that is in Proverbs somewhere, so don't think I'm all sorts of original there.

I know what encourage means... but I just want to check out the Greek on it to clear things up.

Encourage (verb): parakaleō (pronounced: par-ak-al-eh'-o):

• To call to one’s side, call for, summon
• To address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
• To admonish, exhort
• To beg, entreat, beseech
• To strive to appease by entreaty
• To console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
• To receive consolation, be comforted
• To encourage, strengthen
• Exhorting and comforting and encouraging
• To instruct, teach
• To call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.

Give comfort to one another daily... instruct one another daily... admonish one another daily. Pray for one another daily. Pretty cool things to think about. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #3

Psalm 119:97-99

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

In these three verses, meditate is used twice. I would think that the word is important, since meditating makes a person wiser and provides more insight. So what is the word in Hebrew?

Meditate (Noun): śîychâh Pronounced: see-khaw'

• reflection; by extension devotion: - meditation, prayer.
• meditation, reflection, prayer, devotion, complaint, musing, study (of object)

I'm not really sure where complaint comes into play, but I can see everything else. Meditating on the Bible, reflecting on the Bible, prayer, and devotion and all big deals. They provide insight and biblical help that only God can provide. It is really good stuff and it shows that if you want to grow in wisdom and in knowledge, the only place to go is the word. Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #2

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

God is going to take care of me (us). I have to have on my target to seek God's kingdom. I have to go after his righteousness (which also means Holiness), and God will see to it that I have a place to sleep and food to eat. And that is it. It is easy to loose focus, with whatever garbage that comes up in life (and it was never a promise that life would be easy). Johnny Out.

Thirteen - Edition #1

October 8th, 2007

Thirteen - Edition #1

Tomorrow is Jenny's spiritual birthday. That's AWESOME! She is going to see the doctor tomorrow, so she won't necessarily be at work the entire time. Prayfully, she will be given an answer to what ails her shoulders, a quick fix and quick relief to her pain.

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

"Forgave" - charizomai (pronounced: khar-id'-zom-ahee):

• To grant as a favor, that is, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue: - deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant.

Forgive whatever grievances... forgive means to grant pardon for or remission (an offense, debt, etc.).

It also is defined as:

• Absolve.
• To give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
• To cease to feel resentment against.
• To cancel an indebtedness or liability of.

Well... do I forgive? Do I forgive as God has forgiven me? Do I believe God is still taking part in everyone's lives today? Because, if I believe God forgives, and I should forgive as God continues to forgive me, then God is still active in my life.

Deism (noun):

• The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.

To be a deist, it means that God created and no longer takes part in things. He made the Earth and then left. He doesn't love, he doesn't bless, he doesn't care, especially for me. And he certainly wouldn't let anyone die for me, especially his son. What would be up with that?

On the contrary, I believe God is extremely active in my life. He loves me more than anyone on this planet ever could. And it is because of his love, that there is forgiveness beyound understanding. It is because of his love that there is patience beyond understanding. I would have to say, I would have run out on patience a long time ago on me. Amen for God. Johnny Out.