SAT (10:34,38 am) Adding (5) Eternal Express, EE[4] Philippians 4:4 under the theme: Adding and Safeguarding Genuine Joy

WED (9:48 am) Added EE[3] Gracious Words.

TUE (8:59; 9:14 am) Hello! Added MLS[2], Lessons from Leviticus--Difftell Degrees of Sin

THU (7:50,8:00,02 am) Hello! Added EE[2], Take Matters to God, Show Kindness! Update.

TUE (9:29; 10:07 am) Hello! Restoring ML Select as the Segment title considering Christian Standards from the Mosaic Law! The one chosen today involves Being True, Walking with God, Not Hiding from Him! Added a SongWeekly selection below!

MON (11:58 am; 12:11,15 pm) Hello! I've recently considered switching numbers 5&6, placing Eternal Express as #5, and the Mosaic Law Highlights, knowing one purpose of the Law was to bring more awareness to SIN, with the number 6 in God's word being used to represent sin and imperfection, being one less than the divine number 7, I've chosen to do so at this time. Eternal Express primarily focuses on the Christian expressions of God's Son and His close followers, leading to mercifully being considered upright before God, gradually growing in awareness of and desirable compliance with God's perfect Law, making genuine peace, joy, and prosperity possible!

(5) ETERNAL EXPRESS

ETERNAL EXPRESS

CHRISTIAN SMALL LETTER SELECTION

RECEIVE ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE. 2Peter 1:2-4 highlights "accurate knowledge," reminding us of the true unity that is possible if we humbly accept God's instruction and apply it in our personal lives. Peter is likely writing primarily to those with heavenly hopes, to share in "divine nature," but these words can encourage all to treasure devotion to God in a close, personal relationship with Him, as we grow in the accurate knowledge of God and His purpose involving Christ, to find peace in our lives by God's undeserved kindness, with precious promises of eternal life. These verses read: "2 May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to you by an accurate knowledge of God and of Jeho'sha (Jesus' more correct name in both meaning and pronunciation) our Lord, 3 for his divine power has granted us all the things that contribute to life and godly devotion through the accurate knowledge of the One who called us by his own glory and virtue. 4 Through these things he has granted us the precious and very grand promises, so that through these you may become sharers in divine nature, having escaped from the world’s corruption produced by wrong desire." God's word instructs, at Galatians 5:16: "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all." May we turn away wrong desires, satisfying our right desires in harmony with God's love and reasonableness, as He can help us find all we need in life to be truly content and happy, including true friends and for most, eventually perhaps all, a loyal marriage partner, with an understanding of right standards to live by, peaceably with others. May we always treasure God's loyal love toward us by seeking to ever please Him, walking with Him toward eternal life, alongside as many as possible, as God "does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2Pet 3:9).

SPIRITUAL GROWTH. 2Peter 1:5-8 contains crucial steps to our spiritual development. Let’s remark as we go through each one. The foundation is our faith, or thankful trust, primarily in Jehovoe God, His Son Jehosha (or, Jesus), God’s word, and the ransom sacrifice. Having such, we would come to trust also in God's Kingdom to truly solve mankind's problems. Built on faith, other attributes are needed. The verses read as follows: “5 For this very reason, put forth all earnest effort to supply to your faith virtue (godly attributes such as purity of heart, and true hope), to your virtue knowledge (including knowledge of God’s law through Christ), 6 to your knowledge self-control (needed to obey God’s law), to your self-control endurance (to obey over time through trials), to your endurance godly devotion (close attachment to Jehovoe personally), 7 to your godly devotion brotherly affection (pure friendship with other God-fearing persons), to your brotherly affection love (unselfishness looking for best interests of all, in harmony with godly wisdom). 8 For if these things exist in you and overflow, they will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jehosha (or, Jesus) Christ.”

EYES OPEN TO SCRIPTURAL TRUTH. 2Peter 1:9-11 refers to not shutting our eyes to the light, so that we do not lack the qualities mentioned in the previous verses, such as godly knowledge, self-control, and godly devotion. If we close our eyes to the light of Scriptural truth, we can be truly blind, not able to see dangers right in front of us. These verses read as follows: “9 For anyone lacking these things is blind, shutting his eyes to the light, and has become forgetful of his cleansing from his sins of long ago. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure for yourselves, for if you keep on doing these things, you will by no means ever fail. 11 In fact, in this way you will be richly granted entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jehosha (or, Jesus) Christ.” As we learn to serve God properly, may we likewise encourage others to do so, assisting them, including our precious children, according to their ability, to make spiritual progress. Thus we will be reminded of the steps we took to grow spiritually, and that we should not forget or take for granted, but maintain our firm hold on our hope and faith in God and His Son.

PAST LIVING IN "LAST DAYS" 2Peter 3:1-4 shows that there would be those minimizing Bible warnings and prophecies, as if nothing has changed since "creation's beginning." But make no mistake--the evidence is clear that we were living in the "last days" of an ungodly system, or arrangement, of things, with its associated corruption and lawlessness. God's Kingdom is soon to bring significant changes among right-hearted mankind, eventually ushering in blessings of good health and happiness worldwide. May we do all we can to uphold the truth, helping as many as possible to exercise faith in God's promises and benefit by a close relationship with Him. May we not be caught off guard by critics, realizing God foresees their ridicule:

MOTIVATION TO REPENTANCE. Peter's words read this way: "Beloved ones, this is now the second letter I am writing you in which, as in my first one, I am stirring up your clear thinking faculties by way of a reminder, 2 that you should remember the sayings previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” Peter goes on to remind Christians that such ones "deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water." Therefore, just as God judged an evil, violent world in Noah's day, so He stands ready to remove evil ones on a coming day of judgment. (Pro 2:20-22). May such ones repent of any such thoughts and activity, being remorseful over their disappointing and harmful conduct, that God may bless their sincere repentance, and help them find true happiness in life, even with a loyal marriage partner to share life with in the coming new world. May as many as possible appreciate God's mercy and love for his human creation, and respond accordingly, seeking to please our loving God by careful obedience and adherence to His wise and loving standards.

CHRISTIAN SMALL LETTER SELECTION

FAITH, ENDURANCE. 2Thessalonians 1:4-5 highlights the endurance and faith, especially of those chosen to rule with Christ in the Kingdom. They receive a scourging before God in discipline and training, to truly be worthy of their privilege to rule. Enduring persecutions and hardships faithfully, they learn vital Christian qualities and principles of truth that will serve them well in their role as kings and priests before mankind, lovingly assisting humans to grow in their relationship with God and others. All can follow such examples of faith and endurance. This is all after the example of Christ, as at 1Peter 2:21-23, revealing "21 In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. 23 When he was being insulted, he did not insult in return. When he was suffering, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the One who judges uprightly." Verses 4-5 of 2Thessalonians read this way: "As a result we ourselves take pride in you among the congregations of God because of your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the hardships that you are suffering. 5 This is a proof of the upright judgement of God, leading to your being counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are indeed suffering."

KINDNESS, FEED HUNGRY . Thus we should look to God if we are having to cope with any sort of suffering, especially from others, as Romans 12:17-21 says "Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovoe.” 20 But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good." What about the heaping of "fiery coals"? These were used to soften metal, to make it workable. Also, might God's word refer to more than literal food and drink--what might be offered to such ones instead? Thus, good works toward wrongdoers can soften or melt their stubbornness of pride, perhaps leading to their genuine repentance. Thus, may we "keep conquering the evil with the good."

Colossians 4:6 reminds us "6 Let your words always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person." We should be in the practice of speaking gently, tactfully toward others, having positive, encouraging things to say, strengthening them. With self-control, we should be able to be gentle and tactful even when others may accuse us or find fault with us, thus 'turning away rage,' or defusing a tense situation. (PROve 15:1). Even when irritated over a matter, for instance when being treated unfairly, it usually does no good to use a "harsh word" that merely "stirs up anger." We can still choose stronger words that get our point across, without causing tempers to flare.

(6) MOSAIC LAW SELECT

ML SELECT

Let’s now consider Exodus 22:7-9: “7 “If a man gives his fellow man money or articles to keep and these are stolen from the fellow man’s house, if the thief is found, he must make double compensation. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must be brought before the true God in order to determine whether he put his hand on the goods of his fellow man. 9 In all cases of illegal possession of goods, concerning a bull, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything lost of which he may say, ‘This is mine!’ both parties will present their case before the true God. The one whom God pronounces guilty is to make double compensation to his fellow man.”

BUILT ON TRUST. Verse 7 In this case, what relief on the part of the one who was keeping the goods, if the thief is found, thus clearing up any doubt as to his trustworthiness toward his neighbor. Yes, God’s new world is to be one built on faith and trust in God and in one another! In this case, the thief was to make only double compensation, as there was enough evidence to identify him, or he was willing to confess his error.

GOD'S POWER TO KNOW. Verses 8,9 Recall this was GOD'S law, and these were HIS people. God could easily know who stole the items, so if the thief is not found, then verses 8 and 9 move on to determine whether the trusted fellow man took the goods for himself, claiming that they were stolen. Like the thief in the first instance, this man also is acting as if God cannot see what happened. In this case, the goods went from being legally possessed by another, to being illegally possessed by someone. In this matter of “illegal possession of goods,” each one must now present their case “before the true God.” Then God makes known his decision as to the guilty one, who is also to make only double compensation, and hopefully come to realize God’s power to see and read hearts and minds.

FAITH IN THE REWARDER. May we thus walk in full faith in God’s ability to see what we do, and reward us for our good activity before Him! We need such faith in the true God, Jehovoe. Hebrews 11, sometimes called the “faith chapter,” says in verse 6: “Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” God chooses to know and listen to humble, right-hearted ones more than those proudly ignoring Him, or practicing badness. Psalm 138:6 says “ 6 Though Jehovoe is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance.” And Proverbs 15:29 says “29 Jehovoe is far away from the unnagodly, But he hears the prayer of the upright.”

STAY CLOSE TO GOD. May we stay close to God, and appreciate the great privilege of speaking with the Sovereign of the Universe by means of the communication called “prayer!” We need only use God’s name, Jehovoe, seek to acknowledge His will or interests, and then convey to Him our thanks and personal concerns, concluding our prayers in the name of Jesus. Thus we recognize the Model prayer Jesus gave His followers at Matthew 6:9-13, and his words for instance at John 15:16, showing that as we seek to please God, He desires to give what we ask—what we’re needing. (1John 5:14). Clearly, we should look to God for what we desire in life, waiting on Him to lovingly guide and care for us, avoiding any form of envy or jealousy over what others may have or receive. By avoiding being jealous of others, we avoid the consequences of, according to James 3:16, “disorder and every vile [or, unworthy] thing.” Who needs that in their life??? None of us! Therefore, have compassion for others, and according to Romans 12, “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice...” Try to be happy for the good that may come to others, and look to God to provide for your needs and wants, trusting Him to know what’s best for us.

REGARDING LEVITICUS: The question was raised previously: While all sin displeases God, are all sins of the same degree of seriousness? Many have not learned to differentiate different degrees of "sin," which means "missing the mark." But just as a person may "miss" a little or a lot when aiming for a target, so it is with sin. Some haven't learned where the target is, or even violate their conscience and sometimes aim for the broad side of the barn, being foolishly unaware of the dire consequences of such decisions. God's word, including Leviticus, assists us to comprehend various degrees of sin, as Jesus mentioned how even religious leaders were keeping small details of the Law while at the same time "disregarding the weightier matters..." In essence, they were turning the Law upside down, by forgetting such things as compassionate mercy, genuine justice, and loyal faithfulness and integrity. Jesus said "these things it was necessary to do, yet not to disregard the other things." (MATth 23:23). The Mosaic Law, as partly detailed in Leviticus, helps us discern or appreciate the difference between more serious sins and lesser ones. Willful sin is punished more severely than unintentional sin, for instance (LEVit 4:27,28; 6:1-7). Some sins carried heavy penalty under the Law, in some cases even death! Should not such sins be considered much more serious?

Christian teachings underscore similar principles. For instance, some serious sins mentioned in 1Corinthians 5&6 cause great harm to oneself and others, can result in a spiritually dead condition and can prohibit one from entering God's Kingdom without genuine repentance, being determined to change and be true to God. How much better, wiser, and loving to become faithful to God and others in the first place, treasuring the privilege of dwelling with the people of God, setting an example in word and deed that can preserve the lives of others, and finding true happiness in doing so, perhaps alongside a loyal marriage partner, when ready and desirous of this gift. Christian standards can be kept, and will lead us and others to their betterment and eternal welfare and happiness! The Mosaic Law in Leviticus helps us "make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ." (PHilP 1:10).

(7) SONGWEEKLY

A Selection for this week has been played by many an orchestra, including Benny Goodman's, but I find quite appealing one from the author, Count Basie, and His orchestra--see if you can locate it: