Tag: Judgment

Pedastal

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Do not put your brothers and sisters on a pedastal, as they require the same mercy and grace from God as you.”~TB

Imperfect

Even the wisest most disciplined follower of Christ does not compare to the perfection that is God. As such, do not place them in the same category. Each person who has been chosen to share the Lord’s wisdom is still a mere mortal. They bleed, feel, fail, achieve, in the same manner as anyone else. When they fail, as they will, you must give them the same space and grace as God gives to you.

Higher Standard

If you view those in power as better than yourself, you run the risk of judging them harshly when they misstep. Yes, those who are placed in positions of leadership, teaching, and the like, must be held to a higher standard. However, this does not mean perfection. Human nature dictates that no one will live a perfect life. The judgment of their shortcomings is not for you or me. God is the ultimate judge and will always rule in a perfect manner.

Direct Connection

One of the reasons why people are so willing to idolize those they consider to be wise is because it’s a great excuse to not do the work. Friends, the wise are not a substitute for our Father in Heaven. They are mouthpieces at best and examples of what not to do at worst. When you rely on someone else’s relationship/connection to Christ, it’s easy to fall into complacency, thinking that listening to them abdicates the need for you to go to God. Don’t lean on them as they are human. Instead, tap into the direct connection with God so that you know where to place your faith.

Today’s Question

Are you avoiding Christ by putting humans on an unrealistic pedestal?

Enjoy the reading

Proverbs 5

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. 
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 
4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. 
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 
6 For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it. 
7 So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: 
8 Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! 
9 If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
10 Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. 
11 In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body. 
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! 
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? 
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.” 
15 Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. 
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 
17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? 
21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 
23 He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

According to…

tarynbarnes1 Comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“You will live according to whoever has your ear, heart, and mind. Choose wisely.”~TB

…Man

You will fail. You will disappoint. You won’t measure up. Every man on this earth is fallible, short-sighted, and operates according to their own fleshly desires and motives. Even the best of us suck! For this reason, you must never place your value or worth against the opinions of your brothers and sisters. They lack the Holy lens to assess you as our Father in Heaven can. According to humans, you will have to change your appearance, your tone, your attitude, before you are accepted. And even still, you can follow the rules right down to the letter and still not be enough! So why bother? If you know the truth– which is written down in the Bible– you will know that according to the One who made you, you are accepted as you already are.

…God

You are redeemed. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are accepted. Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we would be set apart in God’s Holy stable. Friends, take comfort in this Truth. God loves you as you are! No, you are not perfect, and yes, you will make mistakes. However, when you come to Him with your imperfections in honest and humble repentance, He will wipe the slate clean and will lovingly remind you that you are His. God’s opinion is mightier, holier, and infinitely more valuable than any man’s opinion on this earth. Remember this fundamental truth so that when people come against you with their manmade requirements and measurements, you will not bow down to imperfect standards. Don’t let foolish people rob you of your joy. You have been spared, so live in peace.

Today’s Question

Who’s will are you living according to?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the LORD ; they are a reward from him. 
4Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. 
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Doublespeak

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Be leery of people who paint their evil deeds as righteous choices. They are like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”~TB

Twisted Rhetoric

You arrogantly believe that you can fit God into your box of perversion, laziness, and idolatry. Instead of writing His Word on your hearts, you reject it, creating your own religion. You blindly adopt wicked and contemptible practices disguising your sin with words like “choice”, “freedom”, and “love”. Yet, you practice none of these things. You practice murder, laziness, and idolatry. Do whatever you want, but call it what it is! Your behaviors and practices are not of God.  Stop distorting the Truth for your own gain. Your doublespeak cannot save you from His wrath. Your evil ways have brought this on yourself.

Take Responsibility

You foolish people, you want to be free to sin, yet you don’t want the responsibility of your sinful deeds! How can you boast in your stupidity yet cry victim when it comes time to reap what you’ve sown? Then you kill and blame the innocent for your idiotic practices because you don’t want to drink the foul liquid you’ve poured. Stop justifying your actions with flimsy excuses. You were of “sound” mind when you committed sinful practices. But when you are caught, you claim to be ill. Oh, what a stupid and depraved nation this world has become. What is done in the dark will be brought into the light, so repent now or face the consequences come judgment day.

Today’s Question

Are you using doublespeak to justify your sin?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 108

1 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! 
2 Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. 
3 I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. 
4 For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. 
6 Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power. 
7 God has promised this by his holiness : “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth. 
8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings. 
9 But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.” 
10Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? 
11 Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? 
12 Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. 
13 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.

Gatekeepers

tarynbarnes1 Comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Every person has the opportunity to receive Christ, so stop acting like a gatekeeper with your religious fanfare and man-made judgments on who is or isn’t worthy.”~TB

Truth Is

The truth is, none of us are worthy of the gift of salvation. Our deeds, our lives, our thoughts– none of it comes close to righteousness. This is precisely the reason why we need God. He doesn’t need us. Sure, He’ll use us to help one another, but trust me when I say, we are inconsequential when it comes to the mightiness and methods of God. When you walk in this truth, mercy, grace, and kindness are easily given as you know that these are gifts that God Himself gives to us freely and infinitely. Practice the love that God gives us to one another.

Stop

Just because you’ve accepted Christ does not mean you now have the authority to judge who can or cannot be a child of God. Or do you not know the stories of the Sadducees and Pharisees? God’s kids– just like your kids– come in different sizes and shapes. Our personalities were never meant to be “duplicated”. So stop perpetuating this “Stock Christian Mentality”. There is no certain physical look of a Christian, which is why we must look at deeds and rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Even still, that is for God to decide. Mind your own relationship with Christ and allow others to develop theirs.

Out of Bounds

If you look at people with an air of superiority or judgment in their walk, you’re out of bounds and are heaping judgment on yourself. Were you not a babe in Christ? Did you not have to crawl before you learned to walk? Did God not feed you milk before meat? If God is merciful to you and your foolishness, why can’t you do the same for others? Grace is an action that must be practiced because we all are dumb flesh bags destined to fall. It is only because of God’s Grace and His personal sacrifice that we are able to be reborn. Don’t get too high and mighty in your walk, unless you truly want to know what judgment is.

Today’s Question

Are you a light pointing to God or are you a gatekeeper with an impending judgment?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 99

1 The LORD is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! 
2 The LORD sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above all the nations. 
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! 
4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel. 
5 Exalt the LORD our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy! 
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them. 
7 He spoke to Israel from the pillar of cloud, and they followed the laws and decrees he gave them. 
8 O LORD our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but you punished them when they went wrong. 
9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the LORD our God is holy!

Wicked

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“The reign of the wicked has come to an end. Because you hardened your heart to the Lord, He will snuff you like a candle”~TB

Crushed

This is your judgment:

Because you have crushed the poor, the oppressed, and the helpless, God will crush you like a vintner pressing grapes. Because you built your home off of the backs of slaves, God will enslave your mind and you will toil in confusion, ultimately causing your own demise. The very ideas and schemes that created your wealth will create your everlasting poverty. You will spend the rest of your natural life begging for help from whom you’ve oppressed. It will be humiliating and you will lose heart. You wicked child, why did you turn your back to the Lord? He loves you so, yet you rejected Him and consecrated with evil and witchcraft! Not only did you follow evil yourself, but you seduced your bedfellows to follow too! Your sins will not go unanswered.

House of Cards

The palace of evil that you stole for yourself crumbles down around you. Like a house of cards, your facade and fake lifestyle fall away, revealing your ugly soul. Your ill-gotten gains slip through your greedy fingers like sand in an hourglass. Your vile pride will turn into soul-crushing fear, which will eat at your spirit. Oh, how I fear for you who tolerate and embrace Jezebel and her repulsive ways. I’d pray for you, but I am not allowed. I tried to warn you, to spare you from suffering. Why did you prey upon the innocent? Why did you enslave your brothers and sisters? Why did you not heed the message? God gave you many chances. He even spoke to you directly but you did not listen! He even sent me to you and you mocked Him! Now the time has come to reap what you’ve sown.

Exposed

Your evil deeds that were done in darkness will now shine bright in the light. You will drink the wretched cup of poison you’ve created for yourself. What once made you beautiful will make you repugnant. Everyone will see you for who you really are, and they will recoil from your hideousness. There is nowhere to hide, you’ve made your bed. You will go mad from your embarrassment and shame, and it will all be done in public. Did you really think God would allow your reign forever? You and your bedfellows will be cast out into the wilderness, where your crown of thorns will slip from your face and pierce your eyes. Your blindness and punishment are set in stone, but this judgment will not last forever.

Repent

Do not look to me for a good word, because I have none. Though this brings me no joy, I can no longer intercede for you. You will not escape your fate. But God is merciful! If you leave your Jezebel ways and repent, God will spare you from the ultimate judgment. But because you sacrificed your inheritance for self-idolatry and self-worship, what was supposed to be yours will go to the next in line. Your descendants will not suffer from your wickedness for they are innocent of your crimes. God has spared them and they will flourish and will pick up their cross and will run their race, in spite of you. This will eat at you until your last breath. The damage to your earthly inheritance has been done. Turn back to the Lord, so that your eternal resting place is secured.

Today’s Question

Will you give up the spirit of Jezebel or will you suffer her fate?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 90

1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! 
2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. 
3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” 
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. 
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. 
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. 
7 We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. 
8 You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all. 
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan. 
10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. 
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. 
13 O LORD, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! 
14Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. 
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. 
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!

Diet Bible

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“When you fail to read the Word for yourself, you fall prey to false leaders who give a flattering message that waters down the Truth. Let’s call it what it is, a lie!”~TB

Lullalies 

Today’s culture wants a surgary interpretation of God’s Truth. You want the inheritance, blessings, and mercy. Yet, you hate His discipline, correction, and Truth. False teachers, leaders, preachers, line up to give you their “good news” and because it’s easier to swallow, you blindly eat it up! Friends, anything outside God’s truth is a lie! Beware of leaders who weep for buildings, but not for their flock. Beware of seers who sing sweet words when in actuality we are being warned! Do not let anyone tell you differently.

Sleeping Awake

Because you refuse to understand the Truth on your own, you are asleep at the wheel, failing to understand what is going on around you. Do you honestly think that the destruction occurring worldwide is God’s way of “bringing us together”? No, it is the judgment we so richly deserve.  If this message offends you, good! It means there is still hope. Don’t look to me, look at the Bible and you will know what you are reading is true. Or, stay asleep and reap the judgment coming due.

Today’s Question

Are you ok with the diet bible answers that lead to destruction or are you ready for the Truth?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 85

 

1 LORD, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel. 
2 You forgave the guilt of your people— yes, you covered all their sins. Interlude 
3 You held back your fury. You kept back your blazing anger. 
4 Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more. 
5 Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations? 
6 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? 
7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 
8 I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. 
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. 
10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! 
11 Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. 
12 Yes, the LORD pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. 
13Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.

Lost Sheep

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“We must look at ALL of our brothers and sisters in the same manner that Christ looks at us. Or have you forgotten when He personally guided you back to the flock?”~TB

Change by example

We are called to share the Good News by living the life of Christ. There is no need to beat the lost with formalities. The light of the truth is how we change hearts and minds. Callous judgment and legalistic Biblical interpretations only damage the hearts of the young or lost. Like a newly rooted plant, your self-righteousness tramples the meek and downtrodden. Don’t be a hindrance, Christ’s stable is big enough for everyone! God does not need us to judge and condemn on His behalf. We must mirror the love, grace, and mercy that Christ imprints on our hearts each and every day.

 

Remember

Keep in mind that you are already set aside, carefully and lovingly tucked inside Christ’s stable. Friends, is that not enough? Why do you grow jealous of His love for the lost? Have you not received the most precious gift– salvation? Are you foolish enough to believe your judgment is better than His? Set your pride aside for your hardened hearts will be encased in the hellish stable of judgment you so foolishly built around yourself.

Endless Openings

Friends, rejoice in the fact that Christ is in control and working in the hearts of the lost. Do not feel contempt or envy, but feel encouraged that the eyes of the lost are opening. God’s love is infinite and incomprehensible to man. There’s enough grace for everyone.

Question of the day

Are your actions directing lost sheep to the stable or are you blindly building the case for your impending judgment?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 67

1 May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude 2 May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. 3 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 4 Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world. Interlude 5 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 6 Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. 7 Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.

 

Dazzle

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Toggle your mind to see all that God does in one second, and realize that it is more than anyone or thing could individually or collectively accomplish – ever!”  ~ Jon Barnes

Creation

The joys of creation are such an amazing blueprint of music, art, science, language, and academia. It is written by God in all forms of living and non-living things.  We all have a job to do and we are confined within the parameters of our existence.  We must be who we are to reap what we sow and to execute God’s Plan for our lives. 

Blues

Each blueprint has its own twists, similarities, differences, and fate, based on faith, love, judgment, God’s scale of measurement, expression, depth, intelligence, feelings, science, math, music, and art.  And still, many other factors are added to adjust color, vibe, and interpretations of variations, which are infinite.  However, obeying God is non-negotiable with only two dazzling consequences; Heaven or Hell! 

Interpretation

Interpretation is a perception of reality and those who understand read, repent, and copy the original meaning of biblical content will accurately live in a way that pleases God.  It dazzles the mind how many people want to impose their interpretations into God’s laws, words, commandments, and stories.  The Bible reads perfectly as it is and the meanings do not change!
Today’s Question
Are you trying to change the meanings, words, stories, and ways of God to fit your own lifestyle?
Enjoy The Reading

Psalm 34 

A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
    for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
    but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
    his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
    he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
    He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
    not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
    No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Love,
Jonathan

Draw

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“When the love of God draws you close, learn in to take it all in; Don’t run away from the after party either.” ~ Jon Barnes

Lines

The party lines are drawn between good and evil and each group will conduct themselves accordingly.  If you are hanging out with foolish people, bullets of stupidity tend to find the wrong person in the group. When you are doing drugs, bad things tend to happen to you, your family or your unborn children.  Don’t set yourself up for failure, regret, disappointment, or dishonor.  Draw the line between Good and evil.  Choose wisely.

After 

Enjoy the after party of good success with good health, savings, family, friends, and people who work, act, think, pray, and live like you do.  You are not going to find someone smoking weed in my house or at my party.  My children think and act as I do because I will hunt them down and give them a piece of my mind if I find out that they are doing something out of line.

Party

Enjoy your life and the benefits of hard work, blaming no one but the poor choices that you personally make in life. Then you can focus on selecting the better choices God has for you at His Party.  Draw the line in your mind to never cross over to the dark side of thinking, speaking, acting, and doing foolish things, base on distractions, inaction, laziness, and disobedience.  Party over here with liberty, love, and justice for all.
Today’s Question
Did you know that your personal party without God is leading you straight to the party of hell, based on God’s Judgement and not your judgment or interpretation? 
 

1 Chronicles 4 

Other Descendants of Judah

4 The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2 Shobal’s son Reaiah was the father of Jahath. Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.
3 The descendants of[a] Etam were Jezreel, Ishma, Idbash, their sister Hazzelelponi, 4 Penuel (the father of[b] Gedor), and Ezer (the father of Hushah). These were the descendants of Hur (the firstborn of Ephrathah), the ancestor of Bethlehem.
5 Ashhur (the father of Tekoa) had two wives, named Helah and Naarah. 6 Naarah gave birth to Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. 7 Helah gave birth to Zereth, Izhar,[c] Ethnan, 8 and Koz, who became the ancestor of Anub, Zobebah, and all the families of Aharhel son of Harum.
9 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez[d] because his birth had been so painful.10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
11 Kelub (the brother of Shuhah) was the father of Mehir. Mehir was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah. Tehinnah was the father of Ir-nahash. These were the descendants of Recah.
13 The sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel’s sons were Hathath and Meonothai.[e] 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the founder of the Valley of Craftsmen,[f] so called because they were craftsmen.
15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah was Kenaz.
16 The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17 The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives became[g] the mother of Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah (the father of Eshtemoa).18 He married a woman from Judah, who became the mother of Jered (the father of Gedor), Heber (the father of Soco), and Jekuthiel (the father of Zanoah). Mered also married Bithia, a daughter of Pharaoh, and she bore him children.
19 Hodiah’s wife was the sister of Naham. One of her sons was the father of Keilah the Garmite, and another was the father of Eshtemoa the Maacathite.
20 The sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon.
The descendants of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.

Descendants of Judah’s Son Shelah

21 Shelah was one of Judah’s sons. The descendants of Shelah were Er (the father of Lecah); Laadah (the father of Mareshah); the families of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; 22 Jokim; the men of Cozeba; and Joash and Saraph, who ruled over Moab and Jashubi-lehem. These names all come from ancient records. 23 They were the pottery makers who lived in Netaim and Gederah. They lived there and worked for the king.

Descendants of Simeon

24 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel,[h] Jamin, Jarib, Zohar,[i] and Shaul.
25 The descendants of Shaul were Shallum, Mibsam, and Mishma.
26 The descendants of Mishma were Hammuel, Zaccur, and Shimei.
27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but none of his brothers had large families. So Simeon’s tribe never grew as large as the tribe of Judah.
28 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, 29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These towns were under their control until the time of King David.32 Their descendants also lived in Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Token, and Ashan—five towns 33 and their surrounding villages as far away as Baalath.[j] This was their territory, and these names are listed in their genealogical records.
34 Other descendants of Simeon included Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel, 36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 and Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah.
38 These were the names of some of the leaders of Simeon’s wealthy clans. Their families grew, 39 and they traveled to the region of Gerar,[k] in the east part of the valley, seeking pastureland for their flocks. 40 They found lush pastures there, and the land was spacious, quiet, and peaceful.
Some of Ham’s descendants had been living in that region. 41 But during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, these leaders of Simeon invaded the region and completely destroyed[l] the homes of the descendants of Ham and of the Meunites. No trace of them remains today. They killed everyone who lived there and took the land for themselves, because they wanted its good pastureland for their flocks. 42 Five hundred of these invaders from the tribe of Simeon went to Mount Seir, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel—all sons of Ishi.43 They destroyed the few Amalekites who had survived, and they have lived there ever since.
Love,
Jonathan

Application

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Disobedience will turn your heart away from God and you will follow the ways of the wicked.” ~ Jon Barnes

Practical

Practical application of God’s Love will teach you things that are necessary for future growth. The foundation that you gain are the fundamental blocks used for success with God. However, if you chose to turn your heart away from God and become disobedient, you will pay the eternal price and judgment for your wicked behavior.

Impractical

It doesn’t make sense to be so intelligent, talented, capable, and prepared to complete the job God has given you, to only bitterly fail the final exam. Lust, greed, and pride will turn you into an evil animal, unfit for the Kingdom of God. You did the work, but you switched teams because your heart was still evil to the core.

Logic

Addiction to the lust of sin is like any other addiction your body craves for and will seek ways to break the rules and create fake news and laws to profit from the poor, enslave the innocent. Evil people will meet to devise plans and applications of corruption to withhold good things and earnings from those who deserve fair wages. Abandoning God’s laws and commandments is the application of Fools damned to hell.
Today’s Questions
How will you prevent yourself from becoming a fool for the devil, since you don’t obey God?
Enjoy The Reading

2 Kings 6 

An Axhead Floats

6 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.”
And he said, “Go.”
3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?”
“I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them.
They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”
6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lordopened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father?Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

Famine in Besieged Samaria

24 Some time later, Ben-Hadad king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege to Samaria. 25 There was a great famine in the city; the siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels[a] of silver, and a quarter of a cab[b] of seed pods[c] for five shekels.[d]
26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, “Help me, my lord the king!”
27 The king replied, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?” 28 Then he asked her, “What’s the matter?”
She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.’ 29 So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him.”
30 When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his robes. As he went along the wall, the people looked, and they saw that, under his robes, he had sackclothon his body. 31 He said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!”
32 Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Don’t you see how this murderer is sending someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” 33 While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him.
The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
Love,
 
Jonathan