Hey everyone and welcome to another Forgotten Family Story, “The Sword”. I hope everyone is enjoying this new discussion series and retelling these stories that so many Christians have either never read or only read once or twice. Also, please feel free to read before and after the selected text to get a better context understanding.

Here is this week’s text to “The Sword”:

Judges 3: 12-30

12 Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. ^[a] 14 The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.

15 Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a foot and a half ^[b] long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17 He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way the men who had carried it. 19 At the idols ^[c] near Gilgal he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.”
The king said, “Quiet!” And all his attendants left him.

20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace ^[d] and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23 Then Ehud went out to the porch ^[e] ; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.

24 After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, “He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the house.” 25 They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their lord fallen to the floor, dead.

26 While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.

28 “Follow me,” he ordered, “for the LORD has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and, taking possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab, they allowed no one to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped. 30 That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.

Footnotes:

1. Judges 3:13 That is, Jericho
2. Judges 3:16 Hebrew a cubit (about 0.5 meter)
3. Judges 3:19 Or the stone quarries ; also in verse 26
4. Judges 3:20 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
5. Judges 3:23 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

Hey everyone I just realized I did not post the text from last week…sorry about that, hopefully everyoe found the text on Th3 Servants Blog. Anyway here it was for last week and the overviw for the entire next series:

Overview:
Week 1: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Dry Bones
Week 2: Judges 3: 12-30 The Sword
Week 3: Hosea 1 You Want Me to Marry Who?
Week 4: 1Samuel 28:5- Ooo Ooo Wichy Woman
Week 5: Daniel 5 Purple shirts and gold Chains

Here is the text from last week:

Ezekiel 37:1-14

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath ^[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ”

Footnotes:

1. Ezekiel 37:5 The Hebrew for this word can also mean wind or spirit (see verses 6-14).

Hey yall! Here is the text for this week! After you read it feel free to give out your shimmer points here on the blog.

Hey yall! Here is the text for this week! I decided to send out a basic understanding on how to read the text if your not in a community to join the discussion in person. Try to read it and then throw out your shimmer points here on the blog.

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1 John 3:7 – 24

7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
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here is the basics to Lectio Divina (at least the basic way Th3 Waters does it:

Basic Guide to Lectio Divina

5 Step process:

1st Read Scripture out loud (looking/listening for shimmer points) (Remember first time through the shimmer point can be for information)

2nd take 2-5 mins. For silence/prayer/meditation of the shimmer points.. your encouraged to have a discussion with the text. Ask it questions, challenge it.

3rd Read the scripture out loud a second time with a different mindset read it like a Dr. would read it or a lawyer, or even a child, and it would be great to have a different translation to read, as well.

4th Take a second time of silence but this time though be encouraged to not look for information, but transformation (How could this text actually change the way you live your life, or think about life, or treat others?)

5th Then type out your discussion as a comment on this blog post…and please remember that differening opinions are Ok and be respectful of others who read the text and ask different questions than you.

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OK go discuss…..

Hey everyone, sorry here is the correct text for this week. I got a week ahead. Sorry.

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2 Corinthians 4:1-18

1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b]With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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here is the basics to Lectio Divina (at least the basic way Th3 Waters does it:

Basic Guide to Lectio Divina

5 Step process:

1st Read Scripture out loud (looking/listening for shimmer points) (Remember first time through the shimmer point can be for information)

2nd take 2-5 mins. For silence/prayer/meditation of the shimmer points.. your encouraged to have a discussion with the text. Ask it questions, challenge it.

3rd Read the scripture out loud a second time with a different mindset read it like a Dr. would read it or a lawyer, or even a child, and it would be great to have a different translation to read, as well.

4th Take a second time of silence but this time though be encouraged to not look for information, but transformation (How could this text actually change the way you live your life, or think about life, or treat others?)

5th Then type out your discussion as a comment on this blog post…and please remember that differening opinions are Ok and be respectful of others who read the text and ask different questions than you.

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OK go discuss…..

Overview:
Week 1: Philippians 4:10-19 “Anna’s Fav. Philippians 4:13”
Week 2: 2 Corinthians 4 “Dale’s Fav. 2 Cor. 4:8-9
Week 3: 1 John 3:7-15 “the Fav. 1John 3:16-20
Week 4: Matthew 11:20-30 “The Fav Matt. 11:28-30
Here is the discussion text for this week’s gathering!

Philippians 4:10-19 (Fav. is 13)

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
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Enjoy the discussion and feel free to join in here through the comments! Blessings to everyone!

Photo:AP

Hey everyone! Here is the text for this the last week of “The Good, Bad, and Ugly” Discussion series! Enjoy it! And be looking for the next week’s discussion series!

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Rev. 3:14-22

14″To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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Well, there it is! Blessing to everyone, and don’t forget to bless others this week, and don’t forget to set your phones, computers, and watches to make an alarm occur @ 11:00am and 3:00pm each day to remind us all to be praying for those around us and each other, but a reminder to bless others each day. Have a blessed week!

Hey everyone here is the text for this week. We only have one more week of discussion for this series, and then everyone will be throwing a party (week of July 4th) to invite their friends, families, or co-workers and then we will come back with a new discussion series! Hope your weeks and days find you well, and that the road rise up to meet you and God bless you to be a blessing this week!

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Rev. 3:7-13

7″To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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Remember to read through this at least twice and please bring the discussion from your gatherings here to the website..and encourage others to do the same. Peace and joy!

Hey everyone:

Here is the text for this week! Have fun with this one! And don’t forget to try to decide if it is a good, bad, or ugly church.

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Rev. 3:1-6

1″To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b]of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 3:1 Or messenger; also in verses 7 and 14
2. Revelation 3:1 Or the sevenfold Spirit
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Blessing to everyone who reads this blog, and don’t forget that we all are going to try to set our watches, cell phones, computers, etc.. to go off @ 11:00am and @ 3:00pm to remind us to bless others each week/day, and to pray for each other, as well as, those around us!

Hey everyone here is the text for this week 4 in this discusison series. I appologize for getting this one out so late, but I was gone to Annual conference all week, and I could not find the internet in a stable compasity, so I had to wait to come home to get it going. Anyway here is the text for this week:

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 Rev. 2:18-29

18″To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
27′He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery’[a]— just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 2:27 Psalm 2:9

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Hope your blessed this week and that you in turn intentionally bless others, as well!