Sat 091024 pm Isa 49-50

Isaiah 49
49.23 those who wait on Me shall no be put to shame. Lord give us the patient hope to wait for You.
49.26 Then... Everybody does not know now, but they will.

Isaiah 50
50.2 Is my hand shortened...
50.10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice from His Servant?

Fri 091023 pm Heb 8-9

Hebrews 8

8.2 the true tent (tabernacle)... and 8.5 a copy and shadow of the heavenly things... This is a reminder that we are not just making this up as we go, but should be modeling our lives, etc... on the perfect pattern in heaven.

Hebrews 9

9.1 Now even... seems to imply that the current covenant would most certainly have regulations.

9.7 unintentional sins... You mean there are even more sins than the ones I know about? Uhg!! :o)

9.9 perfect the conscience...

9.10 the time of reformation...

9.12 once... It is finished.

9.23 Good comment in the Commentary of the NT use of the OT http://www.amazon.com/Commentary-New-Testament-Use-Old/dp/0801026938

9.28 those who are eagerly waiting for Him... That's the crowd I want to be in. It seems like the saints who are dieing now have a stronger sense of that than I do.

Thurs 091022 pm Heb 3-7 Isa 44-48

Tues. - Thursday

Hebrews 3
3.1 Consider Jesus... Even apart from the context of Hebrews 3 this is a powerful thought.
3.5-6 Moses was a servant and Christ is a son.
3.12 Take care... We are not just floating down the stream, but must give attention and effort to.
6.7-8 & 3.15 & 4.7 Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Repeated three times and still a good word for today.

Hebrews 4
4.6 So then there remains a Sabbath rest...
4.11 Let us therefore strive...

Hebrews 5
5.5 did not exalt Himself... No self interest.
5.7 and He was heard because of His reverence... First it is interesting that he was heard not because of being God or his important position, but His reverence. Second, He was heard, but the cup was still not passed from Him. Of course he probably prayed many other things that are not recorded that may have been answered yes.
5.13 unskilled in the Word...powers of discernment trained... Apparently you don't just plop down in from of a Bible with the Holy Spirit and be completely skilled right from the git go.

Hebrews 6
6.1 repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
6.10 love - practically shown toward others
6.11 hope - earnestness to have... something to think about
6.12 faith and patience... Two things needed to inherit the promises.
6.19 anchor for the soul... Reminds me of a hymn I sang with the kids at Mingo.

"WE HAVE AN ANCHOR"
1.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.

2.
It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,
For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

3.
It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow.

4.
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.

Background info here.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/623480/

This mp3 plays it too slow. It should be sung at an upbeat rejoicing pace. http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/331

Hebrews 7
7.7 the inferior is blessed by the superior... Another reason to be blessing others :o)
7.25 He is able to save to the uttermost... Amen! Eternal, unchanging, always perfect in power, love, grace, and faithfulness.

Isaiah 44
44.6 King...Redeemer...Lord of Hosts... Eternal and the one and only.
44.8 Our confidence in God's Word should dispel fear.
44.19 no one considers... That is more true than ever. I know that I don't spend as much time just thinking as I should.
44.20 a deluded heart has led him astray... A sober thought.

Isaiah 45
45.1 His anointed...Cyrus... I'm not sure that anointing is something we often associate with pagans. That is an interesting thought to ponder. God can anoint whoever He wants to.
45.7 I make well-being and calamity... I wonder if it is a little sketchy to say that God does not allow all these calamities. I suspect that is said in the effort to make God look good to a "anything that hurts me is evil" world.

Isaiah 46
46.9-11 some of my favorite verses
46.12 The Hebrew parallelism matches stubborn of heart with one who is far from righteousness. That seems to be instructive.

Isaiah 47
47.6 angry with - profaned...
47.10 I am, and there is no one besides me. This is a recurring theme in Isaiah.

Isaiah 48
48.1 but not in truth... There are a number of things that come to mind that this could mean, but here it seems to talk about giving just lip service to God.
48.8 from before birth you were called... This speaks of the nation of Israel, but still reminds us that God know (and in some sense) causes all.
48.11 My glory I will not give to another... The interpretation is in reference to God not acting in any way that would not glorify himself. He had His reputation in view. There is also an application for us to know behave in a way the would 1. reflect poorly on God and 2. not reflect poorly on ourselves.
48.18 oh that you had paid attention to my commandments... This is a refrain thought and spoken by many parents of prodigal children.

The Body in the Reformation
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1 Corinthians 12.20

Bod·y

A group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity; “the whole body filed out of the auditorium”

WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

1 Corinthians 12

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body,

as it hath pleased Him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

Johann Gutenberg 1398-1399

Without his invention, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses could not have been widely distributed so quickly.

Guillaume Farel 1489-1565

A fiery French preacher who help establish the Reformation in French speaking Geneva, Switzerland and an exhorter and encourager who convinced the great theologian John Calvin

to stay and minister in the city.

Thomas Poyntz

Poyntz was the English business man who provided a way for William Tyndale to stay in an English merchant’s boarding house and do his important work.

Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and other tracts were printed on an invention, the movable type printing press, invented by Johann Gutenberg.

John Calvin was encouraged to stay in Geneva by Guillenum Farrell.

William Tyndale was protected and given a place to stay while he was in hiding by Thomas Poyntz.

Are you part of Christ’s body?

What part will you be in the body?

Sun 091017 pm Isa 41-43

Isaiah 41
41.4 the first and with the last... The wording here "with" the last is curious.
41.29 they are all a delusion... And we are so prone to love delusions. Promises with no subtsance.

Isaiah 42
42.6-7 a light for the nations
to oen the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
A great description of Christ.
42.19 my dedicated one... Presumably another way to say holy.
42.25 it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart... Burned refers to God's anger which was followed by a foolish response.

Isaiah 43
43.8 blind, yet have eyes... the state of the lost.
43.10 You are my witnesses... Sometimes this seems like a poor plan. :o)
43.21 people who I formed for myself...
43.24 you have wearied me with your iniquites...
43.25 for my own sake... God saves us for his benefit, not our. It's all about him.

Fri 091016 pm Heb 1-2 Jonah

Hebrews 1

1.3 exact imprint of His nature... in the fullest sense, not just moral.

1.4 having become... This seems to refer to His works on earth distinguishing Him, since he had already inherited a more excellent name.

1.5 2 Samuel 7.14 Sometime I will check the Commentary on the NT use of the OT and a couple others and look at the context of these two seeming fairly unrelated passages.

Six mentions of angels in one chapter is rare.

Hebrews 2

2.3 if we neglect... Christ is the only salvation available. We should be diligent.

2.6 It has been testified somewhere... I wonder why he didn't specify a book or something. Psalm 8.4-6

2.18 suffered when tempted... I don't know that I have ever explicitly thought of temptation as being a form of or situation for suffering. There are a number of reasons it could be suffering. For Christ it was definitely an affront to His righteousness. The struggle to remain strong and not give in would cause us to suffer. Hmmmm, a lot to think about.

Jonah 1

1.1 The Word of the Lord came... This phrase almost always captures my imagination. How cool! And what was it like?

1.3 away from the presence of the Lord... While we can never be from the presence of the Lord in an absolute sense, it seems that we could flee His "blessing presence." This seems to be an escape from God's influence and demands. Not a good place to be.

1.4 Perhaps the god will give a thought to us... The mindset of this pagan sailor is fascinating for someone who grew up with the uniform belief in one God.

1.16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly... They offered a sacrifice and made vows. I wonder what the vows were and if any were actually kept. At that point they were arguably closer to God than Jonah.

Jonah 2
2.4 yet I shall again look upon your holy temple... This longing for the temple is common in the OT and shows the desire and confidence in God's faithfulness. Even after disobeying God's direct command and in what must have been very discouraging circumstances, he expresses confidence that he will return to God's blessing.
2.8 forsake their own hope... This reminds me of the verse in Jeremiah about leaving the living waters for cisterns. Hopelessness can be what causes us to forsake. Patience and faithfulness are key.

Jonah 3

3.1 the second time... Oh, how persistent the Lord is.
3.10 saw how they returned... The translation is a little fuzzy here about whether it is that they turned or the manner in which they turned. But, thinking about the possibility of it being the manner that they turned is good food for thought.

Jonah 4
4.2 for I new that... This is a humorous, in this context, list of God's attributes: gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, relenting. This is not the stereotype of God in the OT.
4.6 to save him from his discomfort... Primary concern with out comfort is a symptom of spiritual problems.
4.7 God appointed a worm... God can use anybody.
4.11 should I not pity... It is good and right to have pity on the undeserving.

Wed 091014 Isa 40

Isaiah 40

40.1 Handle's Messiah

40.3 John the Baptist

40.7 when the breath of the Lord blows... We are so finite, and He is so amazing.

40.11 tend his flock ... gently lead those that are with young... Reminds me of the tenderness of the Lord.

40.28 does not faint or grow weary... God is always vigilant and on the job. Thanks be...

Tues 091013 pm Isa 35-37

Isaiah 35

35.4 those who have an anxious heart ... be strong. Two things. First, some people have anxious hearts. Second, the solution sounds obvious and unhelpful untill we reflect on the nature and aquisition of spiritual strength.

35.8 the Way of Holiness... Holy in the sense it is free from the unclean.

Isaiah 36

36.17 until I come and take you away... What a sorry consolation the enemy offers.

Isaiah 37

37.4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear... I am curious about the expression "your" God when King Hezekiah obviously trusted in God too.

37.4 It is also instructive with the way he appeals to God's sense of honor and jealousy for His reputation.

37.I planned what I now bring to pass... God's soveriegnty and fulfilled prophecy are evidences God gives for himself. God is the God of history.

37.32 zeal of the Lord of hosts...

DELETE

Isaiah 35
35.4 an anxious heart...

Mon 091012 am Tit 1-3 Isa 34

Titus 1

1.3 at the proper time... God's timing is always right, I struggle to get my watch synchronized.

1.11 & 13 they must be silenced...rebuke them sharply...

1.16 They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works... Ouch!

Titus 2

2.2 older men

2.3 older women

2.4 younger women

2.6 younger men

2.10 that in everything they many adorn the doctrine of God our Savior... This is a really cool expression, great for meditating on. It stands in contrast to 1.16.

Titus 3

3.1 Remind them... Repetition is the key to retention.

3.8 careful to devote themselves to good works... Give and doing for others is a big theme in the Christian way of life.

Isaiah 34

34.8 A day of vengeance is paralleled with a year of recompense.

34.16 from the book of the Lord... I wonder what this book would be in the context of Isaiah 34.

sat 091010 pm Isa 31-33

Isaiah 31

31.1 do not look to ... do not consult the Lord! It is so easy to get my eyes off the Lord and begin to consult my own good opinion or the "world's" way of looking at things.

31.2 He is wise and brings disaster... In this context against evildoers, but something to think about anyway.

Isaiah 32

32.2 each [prince] will be like a hiding place ... a shelter from the storm... A noble calling for a leader.

32.4 The heart of the hasty... I guess that haste does make waste.

32.7 the poor... The lying is aggravated by its purpose against the poor.

Isaiah 33

33.6 abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge... The abundance of wisdom and knowledge makes sense, but what about salvation. It seems you are either saved or not. This is an interesting one to think on.

33.6 The fear of the Lord is a treasure.

33.15 What does the righteous despise, etc..? gain of opression, a bribe, hearing of bloodshed, looking on evil (which I suspect carries the implication of condoning it).

Sat 0906-0910 am Isa 23-30 1Th 4-5

Isaiah 23

23.9 to defile the pompous pride... The language of defiling pride has a intriguing imagery.

23.17 Her [Tyre] merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord... This is a very interesting and instructive use of the word "holy."

Isaiah 24

24.5 The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants... A couple interesting thoughts. First, this is phrased like the inhabitants belong to the earth rather than the other way around. I don't see a new doctrine to get started here, but it is an interesting thought. Also, the verse speaks of the transgression of laws and breaking the everlasting covenant and causing the earth itself to be defiled. It reminds me of the blood of Able crying up from the ground.

24.20 the transgression lies heavy upon it [the earth]... and cause the earth to stagger. This is an interesting description of something I have usually thought of as morally inert and neutral.

24.21 that day... So far I have noticed almost 20 references to "that day." It is a theme that would be expected in Isaiah, but I just haven't noticed it's prominence before.

Isaiah 25

25.4 a stronghold for the poor... another frequent theme in Psalms and the OT.

25.4 a shelter from the storm... This reminds me of an old, but great, hymn ("A Shelter in the Time of Storm) that did not make the cut for the newer hymnals.

25.8 and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces... Bring it on! Lots of people ready for this one.

Isaiah 26

26.3 Great verse and good reminder.

26.10 A solemn and sober warning along the lines of Romans 2.4-5

26.21 the earth will disclose the blood shed on it... when the Lord comes out from His place to punish. Again the intriguing imagery of the earth holding the blood of the slain for the right time. That will be better than DNA evidence. I am wondering what that will look like.

Isaiah 27

27.11 a people without discernment; therefore He who made them will not have compassion on them... Maybe discernment is underrated. It is like God has little patience for those who have no spiritual sense.

Isaiah 28

28.11 Refer to 1 Corinthians 14 for this one.

28.12-13 This is rest ... this is repose ... but they would not hear it so the Word will be a snare to them. Do the weary really even want rest? They won't take God's Word to heart. This is often the case with the weary.

28.23-29 A useful parable for young people from a using good sense angle and a loving reminder that God has and uses that same kind of good sense in dealing with His people.

Isaiah 29

29.13 There is a lot of this going around. And is it a good reminder for me not to leave off before the most important part.

29.16 Boy! We sure are mouthy pots sometimes.

29.23 they will sanctify the Holy One of Israel... "because they now hallow the name of the LORD, and respect the holiness of the LORD." --Guzik http://www.studylight.org/com/guz/view.cgi?book=isa&chapter=029

"The Lord would halt the downward course of the history of Jacob's family, and transform them. The Israelites would at last confess their God as holy and acknowledge His holiness as central in their lives. They would be fruitful rather than barren. 356The text gives no basis for interpreting the people in view as the spiritual seed of Jacob, the church, as Young, 2:332, did." --Dr. Constable's Expository (Bible Study) Notes http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/isaiah.pdf

Isaiah 30

30.7 Rahab who sits still... According to Unger's Commentary on the OT, "Rahab was the 'sea dragon,' which became a symbol for Egypt, threatening in appearance but laggard in action."

1 Thessalonians 4

4.2 your sanctification... Practical advise on what it means to be set apart for the Lord.

4.6 the Lord is an avenger... A raw fear of God's judgement invoked here.

4.9 brotherly love... alone would be an improvement for many.

1 Thessalonians 5

5.6&8 be sober... associated with the light and day.

5.14 admonish, encourage, help, be patient with all... Different responses for different problems and situations.

Mon 091004 pm Isa 20-22

Isaiah 20

20.3 walked barefooted and naked for three years... Okay, this is just a little extreme. I am thinking he would not be invited to speak in most churches when word of that god around. :o)

Isaiah 21

21.17 for the Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken... Each day is a battle for that kind of faith in God's word.

Isaiah 22

22.

22.15 Shebna “treasurer” over the house in the reign of Hezekiah, i.e., comptroller or governor of the palace

On account of his pride he was ejected from his office, and Eliakim was promoted to it (Isa. 22:15-25). He appears to have been the leader of the party who favored an Alliance with Egypt against Assyria. It is conjectured that “Shebna the scribe,” who was one of those whom the king sent to confer with the Assyrian ambassador (2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37; 19:2; Isa. 36:3, 11, 22; 37:2), was a different person.

http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/shebna.html?zoom_highlight=shebna

Mon 091005 am Isa 18-19

Isaiah 18

18.2 & 7 repeated description of "Cush people."

Isaiah 19

19.11 Zoan (Old Egyptian: Sant= “stronghold,” the modern San). A city on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, called by the Greeks Tanis. It was built seven years after Hebron in Palestine (Num. 13:22). This great and important city was the capital of the Hyksos, or Shepherd kings, who ruled Egypt for more than 500 years. It was the frontier town of Goshen. Here Pharaoh was holding his court at the time of his various interviews with Moses and Aaron. "No trace of Zoan exists; Tanis was built over it, and city after city has been built over the ruins of that" (Harper, Bible and Modern Discovery). Extensive mounds of ruins, the wreck of the ancient city, now mark its site (Isa. 19:11, 13; 30:4; Ezek. 30:14). "The whole constitutes one of the grandest and oldest ruins in the world."

This city was also called “the Field of Zoan” (Ps. 78:12, 43) and “the Town of Rameses” (q.v.), because the oppressor rebuilt and embellished it, probably by the forced labor of the Hebrews, and made it his northern capital. http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/zoan.html?zoom_highlight=zoan

19.4, 12, 16, 17, 20, & 25 Lord of Hosts.

A name or title of God frequently used in the Old Testament, always translated "Yahweh of Hosts" (Yahweh tsebha'oth) in the American Standard Revised Version, since Yahweh, never 'Adhonay, is used in this phrase. Evidently the meaning of the title is that all created agencies and forces are under the leadership or dominion of Yahweh, who made and maintains them (Gen 2:1; Isa 45:12). It is used to express Yahweh's great power.

Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Definition for 'LORD OF HOSTS'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". bible-history.com - ISBE; 1915.

Joshua 5:14 will tell us that this man came as the “captain of the hosts of the Lord,” the commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua’s response in verse 14b and the statement of the captain in verse 15 show this was a theophany, or better, based on the truth of John 1:1-18, it was a Christophany. A Christophany is a manifestation of the preincarnate Christ, who, as the Logos, is the one who reveals God. If only a man or an angel, he would certainly have repelled Joshua’s worshipful response (vs. 14). Compare the response of Paul in Acts 14:8-20 to those who wanted to make them into gods and the response of the angel to John in Revelation 19:10.

Here then, the preincarnate Christ appears to Joshua to teach, guard, and reinforce certain vital truths for God’s people and especially for those in positions of leadership, which really includes all believers to some degree. J. Hampton Keathley III on Bible.org

19.16, 18, & 9 "that day"

Sat 091003 pm Isa 14-15

Isaiah 14

14.10 You have become weak as we! Death is the great equalizer. I have never thought of the "great cloud of witnesses" for the damned who cheer at their fall and bitterly and gleefully anticipate their demise.

14.11 Maggots as a bed and worms as covers. What a happy thought!

14.24 Good verse on God's decrees.

Isaiah 15

15.2 Dibon (di' bahn) or DIBON-GAD (di' bahn-gad) Place name possibly meaning, “pining away” or “fence of tubes.” 1. Capital city of Moab captured by Moses (Numbers 21:21-31). Gad and Reuben asked for it as their tribal territory (Numbers 32:3). Gad took control and fortified Dibon (Numbers 32:34). It thus became known as Dibon-gad and was one of Israel's camping spots east of the Jordan (Numbers 33:45-46). Joshua reported that Moses gave Dibon to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:9,Joshua 13:17). In pronouncing judgment on Moab, Isaiah described the religious mourning at the worship place in Dibon (Isaiah 15:2), showing that Moab had gained control of Dibon by about 730 B.C. The Moabite stone of King Mesha, discovered in Dibon, shows that Moab controlled Dibon about 850 B.C. About 700 B.C. Jeremiah again announced destruction for Moab and Dibon (Jeremiah 48:18-22).

Dibon stood on the northern hill across the valley from modern Dhiban. It is about 40 miles south of Amman, Jordan, and three miles north of the Arnon River. Occupation of the site apparently goes back to about 2500 B.C., but the main occupation period began after 1200 B.C., climaxing about 850 with Mesha. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city in 582 B.C.

Nabateans built a temple there during Jesus' childhood. It was apparently abandoned about A.D. 100.

2. In Nehemiah's day (about 445 B.C.) Jews lived in a Dibon in Judah. This may be the same as Dimonah. See Dimonah.

Bibliography Information: Fausset, Andrew Robert M.A., D.D., "Definition for 'Dibon' Fausset's Bible Dictionary". --bible-history.com - Fausset's; 1878.

15.4
Heshbon Meaning: intelligence / a city ruled over by Sihon, king of the Amorites (Josh. 3:10; 13:17) / It was taken by Moses (Num. 21:23-26), and became afterwards a Levitical city (Josh. 21:39) in the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:37). After the Exile it was taken possession of by the Moabites (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:2, 34, 45). The ruins of this town are still seen about 20 miles east of Jordan from the north end of the Dead Sea. There are reservoirs in this district, which are probably the “fishpools” referred to in Song of Songs 7:4.
Elealeh God has ascended, a place in the pastoral country east of Jordan, in the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:3, 37). It is not again mentioned till the time of Isaiah (15:4;16:9) and Jeremiah (48:34). It is now an extensive ruin called el-A'al, about one mile northeast of Heshbon.
Jahaz Meaning: trodden down / Jahaz was also called Jahaza (Josh. 13:18), Jahazah (21:36), amd Jahzah (1 Chr. It was a town where Sihon was defeated, in the borders of Moab and in the land of the Ammonites beyond Jordan, and north of the river Arnon (Num. 21:23; Deut. 2:32)
It was situated in the tribe of Reuben, and was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Josh. 13:18; 21:36). Here was fought the decisive battle in which Sihon (q.v.) was completely routed, and his territory (the modern Belka) came into the possession of Israel. This town is mentioned in the denunciations of the prophets against Moab (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:34).

Fri 091002 pm !sa 1-3 & Col 3-4

Isaiah 12

12.1 ...in that day, I will give thanks to you, O Lord. that day is a day of hope for some.

Isaiah 13

13.6 & 9 the day of the Lord...

13.18 their eyes will not pity children... It seems that the lack of pity for children is a sign of a heartened and cruel heart.

Colossians 3

Outline

3.1-4 Our position with Christ.

3.5-7 Mortify the earthly

3.8-9 Put off the old man

3.10--11 The nature of the new man

3.12-14 Characteristics of the new man

3.15-17 The heart of the new man

3.18-19 Husbands and wives

3.20-21 Fathers and children

3.22-25 Servants

4.1 Masters

3.18-4.1 Overview of submission and authority

Colossians 4

Outline

4.2-6 Praying and walking

4.7-9 Tychicus & Onesimus

4.10-13 Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus, & Epaphras

4.14-18 Luke, Demas, Nymphia, Archippus, & Paul

Fri 091002 an 1Th 1-3

1 Thessalonians 1

1.3 work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope... Parallel with Col. 1.4. This is a good one to chew on for a while.

1.6 imitators... In thinking what imitationn means, I am reflecting on what we can imitate about Christ. Nothing on physical appearance, little on specific mannerisms etc., very little if anything on hobbies, etc. Hmmm...

1 Thessalonians 2

2.4 to please God who tests our hearts... The fear of the Lord should be on the radar screen at all times.

2.8 but also our own selves, because you had become dear to us... A minister's aspiration.

1 Thessalonians 3

3.5 our labor would not be in vain... It seems that Paul kept score by finished well and not well begun (conversions).

3.6-10 I see the three themes of 1.3 in these verses two: faith in 6 & 7, standing fast reminds me of steadfast of hope, and the affection described is everywhere.

Thurs 091001 pm Isa 11

Isaiah 11

11.2 Lots of names or descriptions of the Holy Spirit.

11.3 and His [Christ's] delight shall be in the fear of the Lord... This is a thought provoking statement about Christ. In what sense does He fear the Lord and how to we fear God in the same way.

11.4-9 The lion and lamb passage.

11.9 the earth shall be full... A far cry from today when many of us in the Church don't have much of a "knowledge of the Lord." It would be instructive to investigate the word "knowledge."

Wed 090930 pm Isa 7-10

Isaiah 7

7.9 If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. This is an interesting verse in this context.

7.14 a virgin... A classic prophecy.

7.18, 20, or 23 that day...

Isaiah 8

8.13 fear and dread... A strong wording and double mention.

Isaiah 9

9.6-7 another classic prophecy

9.12, 17, 21, & 10.4 For all his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out.

Isaiah 10

10.15 Shall the ax boast over him who hews with it... Lots of talking axes these days.

10.22 only a remnant of them will return... Sad when things are not what they once were.

10.22 Destruction ... overflowing with righteousness... God's judgment is without apology and a right thing for Him to do.

tues 090929 pm Isa 4-6

Isaiah 4

4.4 A Spirit of judgement and by a spirit of burning (or purging)

Isaiah 5

Woe to those

5.5 who join house to house

5.11 those who rise early ... that they may run after strong drink

5.12 they do not regard the deeds of the Lord...

5.18 those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood...

5.20 who call evil good and good evil...

5.21 who are wise in their own eyes...

5.22 who are heroes at drinking wine, (23) who acquit the guilty for a bribe...

Isaiah 6

6.3 Holy, holy, holy

6.8 Her am I...