Tc Moore1
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Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 104:1-35 ESV
You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart. The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.
Jun 7
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 28:1-31 ESV
They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain."And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: "'Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
Jun 6
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 103:1-22 ESV
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
Jun 6
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 27:1-44 ESV
saying, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.But we must run aground on some island."When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you."And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.(We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
Jun 4
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 102:1-28 ESV
because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. For the Lord builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer. Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord. Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you! to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord. He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days. "O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!" Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh. I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,
Jun 4
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 26:1-32 ESV
And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities."In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending youto open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'"Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind."But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.""I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment."And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently."My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jun 3
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 101:1-8 ESV
A Psalm of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.
Jun 3
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 25:1-27 ESV
But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar."Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix,and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," said he, "you will hear him."So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him." And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly."So," said he, "let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him."After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.Paul argued in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense."But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?"
Jun 1
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 24:1-27 ESV
And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'"But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you."At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him."The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
Jun 1
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 100:1-5 ESV
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Jun 1
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 23:1-35 ESV
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day."And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor."And he wrote a letter to this effect:"Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him."So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,he said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium. Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?"Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?"And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"
May 31
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 99:1-9 ESV
The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the Lord, and he answered them. In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings. Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!
May 31
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 22:1-30 ESV
And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus."And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'"When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a tranceand saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. "Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you."And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.'And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live."And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?"When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes."The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth."So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished."As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
May 30
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 98:1-9 ESV
A Psalm. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
May 30
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 21:1-40 ESV
While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people."When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayedand said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
May 29
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 97:1-12 ESV
O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord. For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
May 29
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 20:1-38 ESV
But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him."And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.And when they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
May 28
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 96:1-13 ESV
Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
May 28
Tc Moore1
highlighted Acts 19:1-41 ESV
This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship."When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him.And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion."And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus."On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.There were about twelve men in all.And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
May 27
Tc Moore1
highlighted Psalms 95:1-11 ESV
For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways." Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest." Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
May 27