OS/2 Shareware BBS: Educate/Educate.zip/rbibowd2.zip/RBibOWD1.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1997-01-04 | 194KB | 4,237 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction to Recovery Bible ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

         RECOVERY BIBLE FOR OS/2
           Weymouth Demo Version
          Copyright 1996, S. O. Brennan
            All Rights Reserved


This is the Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech Version of the Recovery
Bible.

The Recovery Bible is the only Bible software designed specifically for the
recovering community. This powerful Bible program is especially marked, indexed
and annotated for people who are in recovery, active in 12 Step Programs,
and/or those who just want to lead a better life.

This program has been reviewed by OS/2 Magazine as well as
Christian Computing Magazine. It received a "Thumbs Up!"

The Demo Version is fully functional.  The difference between this program and
the registered version is this demo only contains the Book of Matthew and the
scripture to scripture links do not work.
The registered version contains:
         The entire New Testament
         Prayers for Recovery
         Serenity Prayer
         The 12 Steps
         Prayers for each of the 12 Steps

Unleash the power of the program! Try a word search on
"Step 2" (all sections). All Biblical references to Step 2 will appear. Click
on each one and the scripture will appear in a window. Try other key words like
"fear" or "prayer" (all sections).

Features

1. Special marking and color coding of text as follows:

      Text related to one of the 12 Steps is
      this color.
        Double click on this text and the
        corresponding step will pop up in
        a window.

      Words of Jesus are in this color

      Words of Jesus that relate to the
      Steps are in this color and  underlined.
        Double click on this text and
        the corresponding step will pop
        up in a window

      Each of the 12 Steps will be this color

      Old Testament Quotes are italicized

References from one scripture to another dealing with the same subject will
appear like this:  [See John 3:16] Double click on it and the scripture will
appear. [note: this feature is available in the full working version, it does
not work in the demo.]

Note: Commentaries on scripture and recovery look like this.

Scripture with special meaning to the recovering person appears like this.

(Due to technical limitations, hyperlinked text can not be highlighted.  The
hyperlinked text in the Recovery Bible is of importance to the recovering
person.)

   Print out the Key to Marked Text located near the
   end of the table of contents so you can refer to it
   while reading the Recovery Bible.

Other features include:

 1. Hypertext Links from scripture passages to related Steps
 2. Comprehensive word search capabilities by word or Step
 3. Ability to Print out text
 4. Table of Contents
 5. Listing of the 12 Steps with hypertext links to scripture
 7. Ability to take your own notes by using Copy to
  your word processor of choice.
 8. Serenity Prayer
 9. Prayers for each of the 12 Steps
10. Detailed Manual
11. Complete and unlimited support
12. Programmers who care about you!!

We are currently working on other versions of the Recovery Bible.
Planned future enhancements and editions will include:

       The Old Testament
       Profiles of Biblical Individuals
       Highlighting of verses for strength
       Extended Recovery Notes
       Studies for each of the 12 Steps
       Exhaustive Hypertext Links
       Cross References
       And much more

Those who order Version 1.0 of the Recovery Bible will receive corrected and
updated versions free of charge as they become available up to Version 2.0.  If
you order now you will also receive discounts on all future versions after v. 2.0.

The Recovery Bible is also available in the King James Version for OS/2 and Windows.

If you have any question, comments, suggestions or bug reports contact us at:

      Compuserve:  71726,2342
      Internet:  [e-mail]
      FAX:  [phone]

S. O. Brennan
P.O. Box 4422
Tequesta, Florida 33469
USA

Software updates and other programs are available at the Christians in Recovery
Internet World Wide Web Site:

        http://www.goshen.net/cir

May God bless you as you read His Word!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Ordering Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                  +
Available only in 3.5" Disks!

The King James Version includes
the New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs

The Modern Language Version contains the New Testament only.

Click Here to order direct
(checks or money orders only)


Click here to order via BMT Micro
(Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express,
Diners Club, Cashiers Check, Personal Check).


Click here for information on ordering from Compuserve


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Preface to Weymouth NT ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

    The Translation of the New Testament here offered to
English-speaking Christians is a bona fide translation made
directly from the Greek, and is in no sense a revision. The plan
adopted has been the following.

    1. An earnest endeavour has been made (based upon more
than sixty years' study of both the Greek and English languages,
besides much further familiarity gained by continual teaching) to
ascertain the exact meaning of every passage not only by the
light that Classical Greek throws on the langruage used, but also
by that which the Septuagint and the Hebrew Scriptures afford;
aid being sought too from Versions and Commentators ancient and
modern, and from the ample _et cetera_ of _apparatus grammaticus_
and theological and Classical reviews and magazines--or rather,
by means of occasional excursions into this vast prairie.

    2. The sense thus seeming to have been ascertained, the
next step has been to consider how it could be most accurately
and naturally exhibited in the English of the present day; in
other words, how we can with some approach to probability suppose
that the inspired writer himself would have expressed his
thoughts, had he been writing in our age and country. /1

    3. Lastly it has been evidently desirable to compare the
results thus attained with the renderings of other scholars,
especially of course witll the Authorized and Revised Versions.
But alas, the great majority of even "new translations," so
called, are, in reality, only Tyndale's immortal work a
little--often very litLle--modernized!

    4. But in the endeavour to find in Twentieth Century
English a precise equivalent for a Greek word, phrase, or
sentence there are two dangers to be guarded against. There are a
Scylla and a Charybdis. On the one hand there is the English of
Society, on the other hand that of the utterly uneducated, each
of these _patois_ having also its own special, though expressive,
borderland which we name 'slang.' But all these salient angles
(as a professor of fortification might say) of our language are
forbidden ground to the reverent translator of Holy Scripture.

    5. But again, a _modern_ translation--does this imply
that no words or phrases in any degree antiquated are to be
admitted? Not so, for great numbers of such words and phrases are
still in constant use. To be antiquated is not the same thing as
to be obsolete or even obsolescent, and without at least a tinge
of antiquity it is scarcely possible that there should be that
dignity of style that befits the sacred themes with which the
Evangelists and Apostles deal.

    6. It is plain that this attempt to bring out the sense
of the Sacred Writings naturally as well as accurately in
present-day English does not permit, except to a limited extent,
the method of literal rendering--the _verbo verbum reddere_ at
which Horace shrugs his shoulders. Dr. Welldon, recently Bishop
of Calcutta, in the Preface (p. vii) to his masterly translation
of the _Nicomachean Ethics_ of Aristotle, writes, "I have
deliberately rejected the principle of trying to translate the
same Greek word by the same word in English, and where
circumstances seemed to call for it I have sometimes used two
English words to represent one word of the Greek;"--and he is
perfectly right. With a slavish literality delicate shades of
meaning cannot be reproduced, nor allowance be made for the
influence of interwoven thought, or of the writer's ever
shifting--not to say changing--point of view. An utterly ignorant
or utterly lazy man, if possessed of a little ingenuity, can with
the help of a dictionary and grammar give a word-for-word
rendering, whether intelligible or not, and print 'Translation'
on his title-page. On the other hand it is a melancholy spectacle
to see men of high ability and undoubted scholarship toil and
struggle at translation under a needless restriction to
literality, as in intellectual handcuffs and fetters, when they
might with advantage snap the bonds and fling them away, as Dr.
Welldon has done: more melancholy still, if they are at the same
time racking their brains to exhibit the result of their
labours---a splendid but idle philological _tour de force_ --in
what was English nearly 300 years before.

    7. Obviously any literal translation cannot but carry
idioms of the earlier language into the later, where they will
very probably not be understood; /2 and more serious still is the
evil when, as in the Jewish Greek of the N T, the earlier
language of the two is itself composite and abounds in forms of
speech that belong to one earlier still. For the N.T. Greek, even
in the writings of Luke, contains a large number of Hebrew
idioms; and a literal rendering into English cannot but partially
veil, and in some degree distort, the true sense, even if it does
not totally obscure it (and that too where _perfect_ clearness
should be attained, if possible), by this admixture of Hebrew as
well as Greek forms of expression.

    8. It follows that the reader who is bent upon getting a
literal rendering, such as he can commonly find in the R.V. or
(often a better one) in Darby's _New Testament_, should always be
on his guard against its strong tendency to mislead.

    9. One point however can hardly be too emphatically
stated. It is not the present Translator's ambition to supplant
the Versions already in general use, to which their intrinsic
merit or long familiarity or both have caused all Christian minds
so lovingly to cling. His desire has rather been to furnish a
succinct and compressed running commentary (not doctrinal) to be
used sidc by side with its elder compeers. And yet there has been
something of a remoter hope. It can scarcely be doubted that some
day the attempt will be renewed to produce a satisfactory English
Bible--one in some respects perhaps (but assuredly with great and
important deviations) on the lines of the Revision of 1881, or
even altogether to supersede both the A.V. and the R.V.; and it
may be that the Translation here offered will contribute some
materials that may be built into that far grander edifice.

    10. THE GREEK TEXT here followed is that given in the
Translator's _Resultant Greek Testament_.

    11. Of the VARIOUS READINGS only those are here given
which seem the most important, and which affect the rendering
into English. They are in the footnotes, with V.L. (_varia
lectio_) prefixed. As to the chief modern critical editions full
details will be found in the _Resultant Greek Testament_, while
for the original authorities--MSS., Versions, Patristic
quotations--the reader must of necessity consult the great works
of Lachmann, Tregelles, Tischendorf, and others, or the numerous
monographs on separate Books. /3 In the margin of the R.V. a
distinction is made between readings supported by "a few ancient
authorities," "some ancient authorities," "many ancient
authorities," and so on. Such valuation is not attempted in this
work.

    12. Considerable pains have been bestowed on the exact
rendering of the tenses of the Greek verb; for by inexactness in
this detail the true sense cannot but be missed. That the Greek
tenses do not coincide, and cannot be expected to coincide with
those of the English verb; that--except in narrative--the aorist
as a rule is _more_ exactly represented in English by our perfect
with "have" than by our simple past tense; and that in this
particular the A.V. is in scores of instances more correct than
the R.V.; the present Translator has contended (with arguments
which some of the best scholars in Britain and in America hold to
be "unanswerable" and "indisputable") in a pamphlet _On the
Rendering into English of the Greek Aorist and Perfect_. Even an
outline of the argument cannot be given in a Preface such as
this.

    13. But he who would make a truly _English_ translation
of a foreign book must not only select the right nouns,
adjectives, and verbs, insert the suitable prepositions and
auxiliaries, and triumph (if he can) over the seductions and
blandishments of idioms with which he has been familiar from his
infancy, but which, though forcible or beautiful with other
surroundings, are for all that part and parcel of that other
language rather than of English: he has also to beware of
_connecting his sentences_ in an un-English fashion.

    Now a careful examination of a number of authors
(including Scottish, Irish, and American) yields some interesting
results. Taking at haphazard a passage from each of fifty-six
authors, and counting on after some full stop till fifty finite
verbs--i. e. verbs in the indicative, imperative, or subjunctive
mood--have been reached (each finite verb, as every schoolboy
knows, being the nucleus of one sentence or clause), it has been
found that the connecting links of the fifty-six times fifty
sentences are about one-third conjunctions, about one-third
adverbs or relative and interrogative pronouns, while in the case
of the remaining third there is what the grammarians call an
_asyndeton_--no formal grammatical connexion at all. But in the
writers of the N.T. nearly _two_-thirds of the connecting links
are conjunctions. It follows that in order to make the style of a
translation true idiomatic English many of these conjunctions
must be omitted, and for others adverbs, &c., must be
substituted.

    The two conjunctions _for_ and _therefore_ are discussed
at some length in two Appendices to the above-mentioned pamphlet
on the _Aorist_, to which the reader is referred.

    14. The NOTES, with but few exceptions, are not of the
nature of a general commentary. Some, as already intimated, refer
to the readings here followed, but the great majority are in
vindication or explanation of the renderings given. Since the
completion of this new version nearly two years ago, ill-health
has incapacitated the Translator from undertaking even the
lightest work. He has therefore been obliged to entrust to other
hands the labour of critically examining and revising the
manuscript and of seeing it through the press. This arduous task
has been undertaken by Rev. Ernest Hampden-Cook, M.A., St. John's
College, Cambridge, of Sandhach, Cheshire, with some co-operation
from one of the Translator's sons; and the Translator is under
deep obligations to these two gentlemen for their kindness in the
matter. He has also most cordially to thank Mr. Hampden-Cook for
making the existence of the work known to various members of the
OLD MILLHILIANS' CLUB and other former pupils of the Translator,
who in a truly substantial manner have manifested a generous
determination to enable the volume to see the light. Very
grateful does the Translator feel to them for this signal mark of
their friendship.

    Mr. Hampden-Cook is responsible for the headings of the
paragraphs, and at my express desire has inserted some additional
notes.

    I have further to express my gratitude to Rev. Frank
Baliard, M.A., B.Sc., Lond., at present of Sharrow, Sheffield,
for some very valuable assistance which he has most kindly given
in connexion with the Introductions to the several books.

    I have also the pleasure of acknowledging the numerous
valuable and suggestive criticisms with which I have been
favoured on some parts of the work, by an old friend, Rev. Sydney
Thelwall, B.A., of Leamington, a clergyman of the Church of
England, whom I have known for many years as a painstaking and
accurate scholar, a well-read theologian. and a thoughtful and
devout student of Scripture.

    I am very thankful to Mr. H. L. Gethin. Mr. S. Hales, Mr.
J. A. Latham, and Rev. T. A. Seed, for the care with which they
have read the proof sheets.

    And now this Translation is humbly and prayerfully
commended to God's gracious blessing.

R.F.W.

/1. I am aware of what Proffessor Blackie has written on this
subject (_Aeschylus_, Pref. p. viii) but the problem endeavoured
to be solved in this Translation is as above stated.

/2. A flagrant instance is the "having in a readiness" of 2 Cor.
10.6, A.V. althoglgh in Tyndale we find "and are redy to take
vengeaunce," and even Wiclif writes "and we han redi to venge."

/3 Such as McClellan's Four Gospels; Westcott on John's Gospel,
John's Epistles, and _Hebrews_; Hackett on _Acts_, Lightfoot, and
also Ellicott, on various Epistles: Mayor on _James_; Edwards on
_I Corinthians_ and _Hebrews_; Sanday and Headlam on _Romans_.
Add to these Scrivener's very valuable _Introduction to the
Criticism of the N.T._


          PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

    For the purposes of this edition the whole volume has
been re-set in new type, and, in the hope of increasing the
interest and attractiveness of the Translation, all conversations
have been spaced out in accordance with modern custom. A freer
use than before has been made of capital letters, and by means of
small, raised figures, prefixed to words in the text, an
indication has been griven whenever there is a footnote.
"Capernaum" and "Philadelphia" have been substituted for the less
familiar but more literal "Capharnahum" and "Philadelpheia." Many
errata have been corrected, and a very considerable number of
what seemed to be infelicities or slight inaccuracies in the
English have been removed. A few additional footnotes have been
inserted, and, for the most part, those for which the Editor is
responsible have now the letters ED. added to them.

    Sincere thanks are tendered to the many kind friends who
have expressed their appreciation of this Translation, or have
helped to make it better known, and to the many correspondents
who have sent criticisms of the previous editions, and made
useful suggestions for the improvement of the volume.

E.H.C.

         ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES

Aorist. Dr. Weymouth's Pamphlet on the Rendering of the Greek
     Aorist and Perfect Tenses into English.
A.V. Authorised English Version, 1611.
Cp.  Compare.
ED.  Notes for which the Editor is responsible, wholly or in part.
I.E. That is.
Lit. Literally.
LXX. The Septuagint (Greek) Version of the Old Testament.
n.  Note.
nn.  Notes.
N.T. New Testament.
O.T. Old Testament.
R.V. Revised English Version, 1881-85.
S.H. Sanday and Headlam's Commentary on 'Romans.'
V.L. Varia Lectio. An alternative reading found in some
   Manuscripts of the New Testament.
V.V. Verses.

    In accordance with modern English custom, _ITALICS_ are
used to indicate emphasis. [In the etext, surounded by Bold]

    Old Testament quotations are printed in small capitals.
[In the etext, italics are used]

    During Christ's earthly ministry even His disciples did not always
recognize His super-human nature and dignity. Accordingly, in
the Gospels of this Translation, it is only when the Evangelists
themselves use of Him the words "He," "Him," "His," that these
are spelt with capital initial letters.

    The spelling of "me" and "my" with small initial letters, when
used by Christ Himself in the Gospels, is explained by the fact
that, before His Resurrection, He did not always emphasize His
own super-human nature and dignity.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Matthew ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

        The Good News as Recorded by Matthew

    There are ample reasons for accepting the uniform
tradition which from earliest times has ascribed this Gospel to
Levi the son of Alphaeus, who seems to have changed his name to
'Matthew' on becoming a disciple of Jesus. Our information as to
his subsequent life is very scanty. After the feast which he made
for his old friends (Lu 5:29) his name only appears in the New
Testament in the list of the twelve Apostles. Early Christian
writers add little to our knowledge of him, but his life seems to
have been quiet and somewhat ascetic. He is also generally
represented as having died a natural death. Where his Gospel was
written, or where he himself laboured, we cannot say.

    Not a little controversy has arisen as to the form in
which this Gospel first appeared, that is, as to whether we have
in the Greek MSS. an original document or a translation from an
earlier Aramaic writing. Modern scholarship inclines to the view
that the book is not a translation, but was probably written in
Greek by Matthew himself, upon the basis of a previously issued
collection of "Logia" or discourses, to the existence of which
Papias, Irenaeus, Pantaenus, Origen, Eusebius and Jerome all
testify.

    The date of the Gospel, as we know it, is somewhat
uncertain, but the best critical estimates are included between
70 and 90, A.D. Perhaps, with Harnack, we may adopt 75, A.D.

    The book was evidently intended for Jewish converts, and
exhibits Jesus as the God-appointed Messiah and King, the
fulfiller of the Law and of the highest expectations of the
Jewish nation. This speciality of aim rather enhances than
diminishes its general value. Renan found reason for pronouncing
it "the most important book of Christendom-- the most important
book which has ever been written." Its aim is manifestly didactic
rather than chronological.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Mt-Chapter  1 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

1:1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the
 son of Abraham.
1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac of Jacob; Jacob of
 Judah and his brothers.
1:3 Judah was the father (by Tamar) of Perez and Zerah; Perez
 of Hezron; Hezron of Ram;
1:4 Ram of Amminadab; Amminadab of Nahshon; Nahshon of Salmon;
1:5 Salmon (by Rahab) of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth) of Obed; Obed of
 Jesse;
1:6 Jesse of David--the King. David (by Uriah's widow) was the
 father of Solomon;
1:7 Solomon of Rehoboam; Rehoboam of Abijah; Abijah of Asa;
1:8 Asa of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat of Jehoram; Jehoram of Uzziah;
1:9 Uzziah of Jotham; Jotham of Ahaz; Ahaz of Hezekiah;
1:10 Hezekiah of Manasseh; Manasseh of Amon; Amon of Josiah;
1:11 Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers at the period of the
 Removal to Babylon.
1:12 After the Removal to Babylon Jeconiah had a son Shealtiel;
 Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel;
1:13 Zerubbabel of Abiud; Abiud of Eliakim; Eliakim of Azor;
1:14 Azor of Zadok; Zadok of Achim; Achim of Eliud;
1:15 Eliud of Eleazar; Eleazar of Matthan; Matthan of Jacob;
1:16 and Jacob of Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the
 mother of JESUS who is called CHRIST.
1:17 There are therefore, in all, fourteen generations from
 Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Removal to
 Babylon; and fourteen from the Removal to Babylon to the Christ.
1:18 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were
 these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before
 they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child
 through the Holy Spirit.
1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and
 unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release
 her privately from the betrothal.
1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of
 the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of
 David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she
 is with child through the Holy Spirit.
1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name
 JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their
 sins."
1:22 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord
 had spoken through the Prophet,
1:23 "Mark! The maiden will be with child and will give birth
 to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel" --a word which
 signifies `God with us'.

Note: Jesus means "the Lord saves," Emmanuel means "God is with us." Jesus came
to save us from our sinful nature. We can not successfully save ourselves no
matter how hard we try. He is with us at all times through thick and thin.

1:24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had
 commanded, and brought home his wife,
1:25 but did not live with her until she had given birth to a
 son. The child's name he called JESUS.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Mt-Chapter  2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

2:1 Now after the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem
 in Judaea in the reign of King Herod, excitement was produced in
 Jerusalem by the arrival of certain Magi from the east,
2:2 inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we
 have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him
 homage."
2:3 Reports of this soon reached the king, and greatly agitated
 not only him but all the people of Jerusalem.
2:4 So he assembled all the  High Priests and Scribes of the
 people, and  anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born.
2:5 "At Bethlehem in Judaea," they replied; "for so it stands
 written in the words of the Prophet,
2:6 "`And thou, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, by no means
 the least honorable art thou among princely places in Judah!
 For from thee shall come a prince--one who shall be the
 Shepherd of My People Israel.'"
2:7 Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained
 from them the exact time of the star's appearing.
2:8 He then directed them to go to Bethlehem, adding, "Go and
 make careful inquiry about the child, and when you have found
 him, bring me word, that I too may come and do him homage."
2:9 After hearing what the king said, they went to Bethlehem,
 while, strange to say, the star they had seen in the east led them
 on until it came and stood over the place where the babe was.
2:10 When they saw the star, the sight filled them with intense joy.
2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe
 with His mother Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him
 homage, and opening their treasure-chests offered gifts to
 Him--gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
2:12 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod,
 they went back to their own country by a different route.
2:13 When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to
 Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother
 and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word.
 For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to
 destroy Him."
2:14 So Joseph roused himself and took the babe and His mother
 by night and departed into Egypt.
2:15 There he remained till Herod's death, that what the Lord
 had said through the Prophet might be  fulfilled, "Out of
 Egypt I called My Son."
2:16 Then Herod, finding that the Magi had trifled with him, was
 furious, and sent and massacred all the boys under two years of
 age, in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood, according to the
 date he had so carefully ascertained from the Magi.
2:17 Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled,
2:18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter
 lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she
 refused to be comforted because there were no more."
2:19 But after Herod's death an angel of the Lord appeared in a
 dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said to him,
2:20 "Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go
 into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's
 life are dead."
2:21 So he roused himself and took the child and His mother and
 came into the land of Israel.

Note: Several times Angels appear to Joseph and instruct him as to what he
should do. We too should keep alert for messages and instructions as to what we
should do.

2:22 But hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod
 on the throne of Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and being
 instructed by God in a dream he withdrew into Galilee,
2:23 and went and settled in a town called Nazareth, in order
 that these words spoken through the Prophets might be
 fulfilled, "He shall be called a  Nazarene."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Mt-Chapter  3 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

3:1 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance,
 preaching in the Desert of Judaea.
3:2 "Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now
 close at hand."
3:3 He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when
 he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, In the desert
 prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'"
3:4 This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a
 loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.
3:5 Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from
 Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan
 valley--
3:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full
 confession of their sins.
3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
 coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers'  brood, who has
 warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
3:8 Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;
                   [STEP 6]
3:9 and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, `We
 have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can
 raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
3:10 And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so
 that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly
 be hewn down and thrown into the fire.
3:11 I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession
 of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I:
 His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will
 baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a
 thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat
 into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire."
3:13 Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the
 Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.
3:14 John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to
 be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
3:15 "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we
 ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented;

Note: Jesus reminds John that it is important to do things according to God's
plan. Even if God's plan for us is not what we want at the moment or is not
convenient, we must remember that He is in charge of the universe and knows
what is best for us.

3:16 and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the
 water. 4 At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the
 Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him,
3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son,
 the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."

Note: We will never attain the perfection of Jesus but we are sons and
daughters of God and should demonstrate our relationship with him by our
actions and behavior.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Mt-Chapter  4 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

4:1  At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the
 Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil.
4:2 There He fasted for forty days and nights; and after that He
 suffered from hunger.
4:3 So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God,
 command these stones to turn into loaves."
4:4 "It is written," replied Jesus, "`It is not on bread alone
 that a man shall live, but on whatsoever God shall appoint.'"
4:5 Then the Devil took Him to the Holy City and caused Him to
 stand on the roof of the Temple,
4:6 and said, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down; for
 it is written, "`To His angels He will give orders concerning
 thee, and on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any
 moment thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'"
4:7 "Again it is written," replied Jesus,  "`Thou shalt not
 put the Lord thy God to the proof.'"
4:8 Then the Devil took Him to the top of an exceedingly lofty
 mountain, from which he caused Him to see all the Kingdoms of
 the world and their splendour,
4:9 and said to Him, "All this I will give you, if you will
 kneel down and do me homage."
4:10 "Begone, Satan!" Jesus replied; "for it is written, `To
 the Lord thy God thou shalt do homage, and to Him alone shalt
 thou render worship.'"
4:11 Thereupon the Devil left Him, and angels at once came
 and ministered to Him.

Note: This account gives us hope and courage in our own struggles with
temptations. It is because Christ became one of us that He was tempted. He did
not sit on some far away throne and isolate Himself from our troubles. Instead
He came and experienced them for Himself. Jesus was not defeated by temptation
and neither should we be defeated!      [See Hebrews 4:14-16]
               (scripture links do not work in demo)

4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John was thrown into
 prison, He withdrew into Galilee,
4:13 and leaving Nazareth He went and settled at Capernaum, a
 town by the Lake on the frontiers of Zebulun and Naphtali,
4:14 in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet
 Isaiah, might be fulfilled,
4:15 "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the
 Lake; the country beyond the Jordan;  Galilee of the Nations!
4:16 The people who were  dwelling in darkness have seen a
 brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the
 region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned."
4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach. "Repent," He said,
 "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand."
4:18 And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw
 two brothers--Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew--
 throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers.
4:19 And He said to them, "Come and follow me, and I will make
 you fishers of men."
4:20 So they immediately left their nets and followed Him. As He
 went further on,
4:21 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and
 his brother John, in the boat with their father Zabdi mending
 their nets; and He called them.
4:22 And they at once left the boat and their father, and
 followed Him.
4:23 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their
 synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and
 curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people.
4:24 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought
 all the sick to Him, the people who were  suffering from
 various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics;
 and He cured them.
4:25 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from
 the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on
 the other side of the Jordan.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Mt-Chapter  5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

5:1 Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill.
 There He seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him,
5:2 He proceeded to teach them, and said:
5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them
 belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.       [STEP 6]

Note: Blessedness is much more complete and full than mere happiness. Happiness
comes from the outside and is dependent upon circumstances. Blessedness is the
Joy of the Lord that comes from within. It wells up from deep within the soul
and has its foundation in God. A blessed life can be lead despite
circumstances.

5:4 "Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted.
5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain
 possession of the earth.
5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
 for they shall be completely satisfied.     [STEP 11]
5:7 "Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive
 compassion.
5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
                         [STEP 10]
5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be
 recognized as sons of God.           [STEP 9]
5:10 "Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause
 of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.
5:11 "Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you,
 and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake.
5:12 Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in
 the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

Note: The first key to the Kingdom of God is the realization of our own
poverty. Even though we may be wealthy in human terms, money can not buy peace
of mind, mercy, grace, etc. Without God our souls are poverty stricken.

5:13 You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become
 tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no
 longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on
 by the passers by.
5:14 You are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if
 built on a hill-top.
5:15 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the
 lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house.
5:16 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that
 they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your
 Father who is in Heaven.           [STEP 12]
5:17 "Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate
 the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them
 but to give them their completion.
5:18 Solemnly I tell you that until Heaven and earth pass
 away, not one iota or smallest detail will pass away from the
 Law until all has taken place.
5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments
 and teaches others to break them, will be called the least
 in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and
 teaches them, he will be acknowledged as great in the Kingdom
 of the Heavens.
5:20 For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly
 surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly
 not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens.
5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients,`Thou
 shalt not commit murder', and whoever commits murder will be
 answerable to the magistrate.
5:22 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with
 his brother shall be answerable to the magistrate; that whoever
 says to his brother `Raca,' shall be answerable to the
 Sanhedrin; and that whoever says, `You fool!' shall be
 liable to the Gehenna of Fire.
5:23 If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar,
 you remember that your brother has a grievance against you,
5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go and make
 friends with your brother first, and then return and proceed to
 offer your gift.                 [STEP 9]
5:25 Come to terms without delay with your opponent while
 you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he
 should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and
 the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you
 be thrown into prison.
5:26 I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released
 till you have paid the very last farthing.
5:27 "You have heard that it was said, `Thou shalt not commit
 adultery.'
5:28 But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes
 lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with
 regard to her.
5:29 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to
 you, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you that
 one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body
 should be thrown into Gehenna.
5:30 And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away
 with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed
 rather than that your whole body should go into Gehenna.
5:31 "It was also said, `If any man puts away his wife, let him
 give her a written notice of divorce.'
5:32 But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except
 on the ground of  unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery,
 and whoever marries  her when so divorced commits adultery.
5:33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients,
 `Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to
 the Lord.'                   [STEP 4]
5:34 But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven,
 for it is God's throne;
5:35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet;
 nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King.
5:36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair
 white or black.
5:37 But let your language be, `Yes, yes,' or `No, no.'
 Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one.
5:38 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, tooth for
 tooth.'
5:39 But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one
 strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
5:40 If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you
 of your under garment, let him take your outer one also.
5:41 And whoever shall compel you to convey his goods one
 mile, go with him two.
5:42 To him who asks, give: from him who would borrow, turn not
 away.
5:43 "You have heard that it was said, `Thou shalt love thy
 neighbour and hate thine enemy.'
5:44  But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for
 your persecutors;
5:45 that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven;
 for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the
 good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do
 wrong.
5:46 For if you love only those who love you, what reward have
 you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?
5:47 And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is
 due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
5:48 You however are to be complete in goodness, as your
 Heavenly Father is complete.         [STEP 8]

Note: If we learn to love unconditionally just as Christ loves, we
automatically eliminate the feelings of resentment, hate and fear that fuel our
addictive nature.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Mt-Chapter  6 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

6:1 "But beware of doing your good actions in the sight of
 men, in order to attract their gaze; if you do, there is no
 reward for you with your Father who is in Heaven.
6:2 `When you give in charity, never blow a trumpet before
 you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets in order
 that their praises may be sung by men. I solemnly tell you that
 they already have their reward.
6:3 But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand
 perceive what your right hand is doing,
6:4 that your charities may be in secret; and then your
 Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you.
6:5 "And when praying, you must not be like the hypocrites. They
 are fond of standing and praying in the synagogues or at the
 corners of the wider streets, in order that men may see them. I
 solemnly tell you that they already have their reward.
6:6 But you, whenever you pray, go into your own room and shut
 the door: then pray to your Father who is in secret, and your
 Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you.
6:7 "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the
 Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their
 multitude of words.
6:8 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows
 what things you need before ever you ask Him.

Note: God does know our needs even before we know them. But we would learn
little if he fulfulled our needs automatically (think of the spoiled child who
has every wish come true). We must become acutely aware of our needs, desire
that they be fulfilled and then humbly come before God and ask Him to help us.

6:9 "In this manner therefore pray: `Our Father who art in
 Heaven, may Thy name be kept holy;
6:10 let Thy kingdom come; let Thy will be done, as in Heaven
 so on earth;
6:11 give us to-day our bread for the day;
6:12 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven
 those who have failed in their duty towards us;
6:13 and bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the
 Evil one.'

Note: Each day we must ask God for the strength to go through another day
successfully. Take one day at a time and ask God to walk with you each step of
the way.

6:14 "For if you forgive others their offences, your Heavenly
 Father will forgive you also;
6:15 but if you do not forgive others their offences, neither
 will your Father forgive yours.          [STEP 8]
6:16 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the
 hypocrites do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it
 may be evident to men that they are fasting. I solemnly tell
 you that they already have their reward.
6:17 But, whenever you fast, pour perfume on your hair and
 wash your face,
6:18 that it may not be apparent to men that you are fasting,
 but to your Father who is in secret; and your Father--He who
 sees in secret--will recompense you.
6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth,
 where the moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves
 break in and steal.
6:20 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither
 the moth nor wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do
 not break in and steal.
6:21 For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be.

Note: If our addiction is our treasure we are poor indeed! Our hearts must not
be caught up in something that will only take from us. Work on building up
things which are eternal.

6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your
 eyesight is good, your whole body will be well lighted;
6:23 but if your eyesight is bad, your whole body will be
 dark. If however the very light within you is darkness, how
 dense must the darkness be!
6:24 "No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for
 either he will dislike one and like the other, or he will
 attach himself to one and think slightingly of the other. You
 cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold.

Note: When you serve something you do it with your entire being.  That
something can be your addiction or it can be God but it can never be both at
the same time. Just as you cannot swim and stay dry at the same time, you
cannot obey God and your addiction at the same time.

6:25 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious
 about your lives, inquiring what you are to eat or what you are
 to drink, nor yet about your bodies, inquiring what clothes you
 are to put on. Is not the life more precious than its food, and
 the body than its clothing?
6:26  Look at the birds which fly in the air: they do not sow
 or reap or store up in barns, but your Heavenly Father feeds
 them: are not you of much greater value than they?
6:27 Which of you by being over-anxious can add a single foot
 to his height?
6:28 And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the
 wild  lilies. Watch their growth. They neither toil nor spin,
6:29 and yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
 magnificence could array himself like one of these.
6:30 And if God so clothes the wild herbage which to-day
 flourishes and to-morrow is thrown into the  oven, is it not much
 more certain that He will clothe you, you men of little faith?
6:31 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking `What shall we
 eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'
6:32 For all these are questions that Gentiles are always
 asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these
 things--all of them.
6:33 But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and
 then these things shall all be given you in addition.
6:34 Do not be  over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for
 to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its
 own troubles.                 [STEP 3]

Note: Worry can fuel the need for an escape from our troubles.  Too often we
project into the future and become distressed about all of the "what ifs."
Jesus assures us not to worry about all these things. If we put God first in
our lives, everything else will take care of itself, one day at a time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.7. Mt-Chapter  7 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

7:1  "Judge not, that you may not be judged;

Note: Judgement belongs to God, for only He has all of the
facts. It is pure folly to think that we can judge others with the imperfect
knowledge we possess.

7:2 for your own judgement will be dealt--and your own measure
 meted--to yourselves.
7:3  And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's
 eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?
7:4 Or how say to your brother, `Allow me to take the splinter
 out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye?
7:5 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then
 you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your
 brother's eye.                [STEP 8]
7:6 "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your
 pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under
 their feet and then turn and  attack you.
7:7  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
 find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
7:8 For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks
 that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him.
7:9 What man is there among you, who if his son shall ask him
 for bread will offer him a stone?
7:10 Or if the son shall ask him for a fish will offer him a snake?
7:11 If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good
 gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
 Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! [STEP 7]

Note: When in need of strength or discernment, do not forget to ask for it!

7:12  Everything, therefore, be it what it may, that you would
 have men do to you, do you also the same to them; for in this
 the Law and the Prophets are summed up.      [STEP 9]
7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the
 road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it;
7:14 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which
 leads to Life, and few are those who find it.

Note: The path to our favorite addiction is wide indeed. Once on that path it
seems impossible to get off. But there is a gate. Look for it and you will find it.

7:15 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in
 sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.
7:16 By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are
 grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles?
7:17 Just so every good tree produces good fruit, but a
 poisonous tree produces bad fruit.
7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit.
7:19 Every tree which does not yield good fruit is cut down and
 thrown aside for burning.
7:20 So by their fruits at any rate, you will easily recognize them.
7:21 "Not every one who says to me, `Master, Master,' will
 enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are
 obedient to my Father who is in Heaven.
7:22 Many will say to me on that day, "`Master, Master, have
 we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name expelled
 demons, and in Thy name performed many mighty works?'
7:23 "And then I will tell them plainly, "`I never knew you:
 begone from me, you doers of  wickedness.'
7:24 "Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon
 them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his
 house upon rock;
7:25 and the heavy rain falls, the swollen torrents come, and
 the winds blow and beat against the house; yet it does not
 fall, for its foundation is on rock.
7:26 And every one who hears these my teachings and does not
 act upon them will be found to resemble a fool who builds his
 house upon sand.
7:27 The heavy rain descends, the swollen torrents come, and the
 winds blow and burst upon the house, and it falls; and
 disastrous is the fall."             [STEP 6]

Note: A life built on addiction has no firm foundation. A life built on the
Word of God is a fortress that can withstand all.

7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were
 filled with amazement at His teaching,
7:29 for He had been teaching them as one who had authority, and
 not as their Scribes taught.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.8. Mt-Chapter  8 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

8:1 Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by
 immense crowds.
8:2 And a leper came to Him, and throwing himself at His feet,
 said, "Sir, if only you are willing you are able to cleanse me."
8:3 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am
 willing: be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy;
8:4 and Jesus said to him, "Be careful to tell no one, but go
 and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses
 appointed as evidence for them."
8:5 After His entry into Capernaum a Captain came to Him,
 and entreated Him.
8:6 "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with
 paralysis, and is suffering great  pain."
8:7 "I will come and cure him," said Jesus.
8:8 "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive
 you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be
 cured.
8:9 For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers
 under me. To one I say `Go,' and he goes, to another `Come,'
 and he comes, and to my slave `Do this or that,' and he does it."
8:10 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said
 to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in
 no Israelite have I found faith as great as this.
8:11 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from
 the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and
 Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens,
8:12 while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out
 into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud
 and the gnashing of teeth."
8:13 And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have
 believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered
 precisely at that time.

Note: The outcome of situations is often in direct relation to our faith in how
things will transpire. If we have great faith and great expectations, great
things tend to happen.

8:14 After this Jesus went to the house of Peter, whose
 mother-in-law he found ill in bed with fever.
8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her: and then she
 rose and waited upon Him.
8:16 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and
 with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,
8:17 in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might
 be fulfilled, "He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the
 burden of our diseases."
8:18 Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given
 directions to cross to the other side of the Lake,
8:19 when a Scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I
 will follow you wherever you go."
8:20 "Foxes have holes," replied Jesus, "and birds have
 nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
8:21 Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first
 to go and bury my father."
8:22 "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury
 their own dead."
8:23 Then He went on board a fishing-boat, and His disciples
 followed Him.
8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so
 that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep.
8:25 So they came and woke Him, crying, "Master, save us, we
 are drowning!"
8:26 "Why are you so easily frightened," He replied, "you men of
 little faith?" Then He rose and reproved the winds and the
 waves, and there was a perfect calm;
8:27 and the men, filled with amazement, exclaimed, "What kind
 of man is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!"

Note: The disciples had been with Jesus for quite some time and had witnessed
many miracles. Yet it astounded them that He had sovereignty over the wind and
waves. He has sovereignty over the storms in our lives as well.

8:28 On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the
 Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming
 from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no
 one was able to pass that way.
8:29 They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son
 of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?"
8:30 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were
 feeding.
8:31 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they
 said, "send us into the herd of swine."
8:32 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went
 into the swine, whereupon the entire herd  instantly rushed
 down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water.
8:33 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story
 in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
8:34 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and
 when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.9. Mt-Chapter  9 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

9:1 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to
 His own town.
9:2 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed.
 Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage,
 my child; your sins are pardoned."

Note: Seeing the great faith of the men who brought the sick man to Him, Jesus
healed the man. Often the faith of those around us and those praying for us
carries us through when we feel we are short on faith.

9:3 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes
 among themselves.
9:4  Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you
 cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts?
9:5 Why, which is easier? --to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or
 to say `Rise up and walk'?
9:6 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on
 earth to pardon sins" --He then says to the paralytic, "Rise,
 and take up your bed and go home."
9:7 And he got up, and went off home.
9:8 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and
 ascribed the glory to God who had  entrusted such power to
 a man.
9:9 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew
 sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me."
 And he arose, and followed Him.
9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of
 tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with
 Jesus and His disciples.
9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His
 disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers
 and notorious sinners?"
9:12 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good
 health who require a doctor, but the sick.
9:13 But go and learn what this means, `It is mercy that I
 desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the
 righteous, but to sinners."           [STEP 2]

Note: Jesus knows that people who are burdened by addiction and beset by trials
are those that need Him most. He is closest to those who are in distress. Only
the broken need a Savior. They are the ones who will seek after Him with all
their heart. The so-called "righteous" think they are too good, that they have
never done anything wrong. They believe that they can do it on their own, and
do not seek God for His help. The broken and humble, however, know that they
cannot do it without God. They must have His help, no matter what it costs.

9:14 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why
 do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?"
9:15 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, " as long as
 the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the
 Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast.
9:16 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven
 cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the
 old, and a worse hole would be made.
9:17 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins.
 Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and
 the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins,
 and both are saved."

Note: It is the same with people in recovery. We cannot take the
12 Steps or recovery principles and apply them for any amount of time on our
old self--the addicted, dysfunctional self. We tried that and it does not work.

The old self who was "in charge" was very set in its ways. We
were rigid like the old wine skin and could not imagine life without the
addiction, (thought there was only one way to live) while at the same time we
were falling apart like an old garment.

We can not patch up the old self. Humility, honesty, faith, courage, and
gratitude were patches that fell off as soon as we tried to apply them to our
life because we were too busy running the show.

Until we admit we are powerless; totally, completely, utterly powerless--can we
start putting new wine (new ideas, thought patterns, hope, healing) in to our
being. The old me has to admit powerlessness. The old me has to die, cease to exist.

We must become elastic like a new wineskin in order to accept the new
principles of recovery. In order for recovery to be total and complete, I must
learn to grow and stretch in the process.

9:18 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and
 profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and
 put your hand upon her and she will return to life."
9:19 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples.
9:20 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with
 haemorrhage came behind Him and  touched the tassel of
 His cloak;
9:21 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall
 be cured."
9:22 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage,
 daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was
 restored to health from that moment.
9:23 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and
 the crowd loudly wailing,
9:24 and He said, " Go out of the room; the little girl is not
 dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him.
9:25 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus
 went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up.
9:26 And the report of this spread throughout all that district.
9:27 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting
 and saying, "Pity us, Son of David."
9:28 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you
 believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes,  Sir," they
 replied.
9:29 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith
 let it be to you."

Note: Take time to think about what Jesus is saying: You will be healed in
direct proportion to the amount of faith and trust you have in Him. It has
nothing to do with how much faith one has in  his own abilities.

9:30 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone
 Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know."
9:31 But they went out and published His fame in all that district.
9:32 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac
 was brought to Him.
9:33 When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak.
 And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a
 thing seen in Israel."
9:34 But the Pharisees maintained, "It is by the power of the
 Prince of the demons that he drives out the demons."
9:35 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns
 and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming
 the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease
 and infirmity.
9:36 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for
 them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the
 ground like sheep which have no shepherd.     [STEP 1]
9:37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant,
 but the reapers are few;
9:38 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to send out
 reapers into His fields."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.10. Mt-Chapter 10 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

10:1 Then He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them
 authority over foul spirits, to drive them out; and to cure
 every kind of disease and infirmity.
10:2 Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first,
 Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of
 Zabdi, and his brother John;
10:3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the
 tax-gatherer, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
10:4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariot, who also
 betrayed Him.
10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving
 them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the
 Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town;
10:6 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.
10:7 And as you go, preach and say, `The Kingdom of the Heavens
 is close at hand.'
10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers,
 drive out demons: you have received without payment, give
 without payment.
10:9 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in
 your pockets;
10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes,
 nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food.
10:11 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good
 man; and make his house your home till you leave the place.
10:12 When you enter the house, salute it;
10:13 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall
 come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you.
10:14 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to
 your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the
 very dust from your feet.
10:15 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the
 land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for
 that town.
10:16 "Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into
 the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents,
 and as innocent as doves.
10:17 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear
 before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues;
10:18 and you will even be put on trial before governors and
 kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.
10:19 But when they have delivered you up, have no anxiety as
 to how you shall speak or what you shall say; for at that very
 time it shall be given you what to say;
10:20 for it is not you who will speak: it will be the Spirit of
 your Father speaking  through you.
10:21 Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child;
 and children will rise against their own parents and will put
 them to death.
10:22 And you will be objects of universal hatred because you
 are called by my name; but he who holds out to the End--he
 will be saved.
10:23 Whenever they persecute you in one town,  escape to the
 next; for I solemnly tell you that you will not have gone the round
 of all the towns of Israel  before the Son of Man comes.
10:24 "The learner is never superior to his teacher, and the
 servant is never superior to his master.
10:25 Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher,
 and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they
 have called the master of the house  Baal-zebul, how much
 more will they slander his servants?
10:26 Fear them not, however; there is nothing veiled which
 will not be uncovered, nor secret which will not become known.
10:27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what
 is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses.
10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill
 the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and
 body in Gehenna.
10:29 Do not two sparrows sell for a halfpenny? Yet not one
 of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave.
10:30 But as for you, the very hairs on your heads are all
 numbered.
10:31 Away then with fear; you are more precious than a
 multitude of sparrows.

Note: Even though at times we may feel insignificant or completely overwhelmed,
never forget that each one of us is precious in the site of our Lord. His love
for us has no bounds.

10:32 "Every man who acknowledges me before men I also
 will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven.
10:33 But whoever disowns me before men I also will disown
 before my Father who is in Heaven.
10:34 "Do not suppose that I came to  bring peace to the
 earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
10:35 For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter
 against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her
 mother-in-law;
10:36 and a man's own family will be his foes.
10:37 Any one who loves father or mother more than me is
 not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more
 than me is not worthy of me;
10:38 and any one who does not take up his cross and follow
 where I lead is not worthy of me.
10:39 To save your  life is to lose it, and to lose your life
 for my sake is to save it.            [STEP 3 ]
10:40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives
 me receives Him who sent me.
10:41 Every one who receives a prophet, because he is a
 prophet, will receive a prophet's reward, and every one who
 receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will
 receive a righteous man's reward.
10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even
 a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I
 solemnly tell you that he will not lose his reward."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.11. Mt-Chapter 11 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

               +

11:1 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve
 disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His
 Message in the neighbouring towns.
11:2 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings,
 and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:
11:3 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that
 we are to expect?"
11:4 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied
 Jesus;
11:5 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are
 cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life,
 and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;
11:6 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall
 because of my claims."
11:7  When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded
 to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out
 into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?
11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed?
 Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings'
 palaces.
11:9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you,
 and far more than a prophet.
11:10 This is he of whom it is written, "`See I am sending My
 messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready
 before Thee.'
11:11 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater
 has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of
 lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.
11:12 But from  the time of John the Baptist till now, the
 Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault,
 and the violent have been seizing it by force.
11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.
11:14 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah
 who was to come.
11:15 Listen, every one who has ears!
11:16 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is
 like children sitting in the open places, who call to their
 playmates.
11:17 "`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you
 have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten
 your breasts.'
11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
 `He has a demon.'
11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they
 exclaim, `See this man! --given to gluttony and tippling, and a
 friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom
 is vindicated by her actions."
11:20 Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His
 mighty works had been done--because they had not repented.
11:21 "Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee,
 Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and
 Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long
 ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes.
11:22 Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre
 and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you.
11:23 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven?
 Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been
 done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have
 remained until now.
11:24 Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable
 for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee."
11:25  About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily
 praise Thee, Father,  Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou
 hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and
 hast unveiled them to babes.
11:26 Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.
11:27 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and
 no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one
 fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son
 chooses to reveal Him.
11:28 "Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and I
 will give you rest.
11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am
 gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
 souls.
11:30 For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is
 light."                   [STEP 3]

Note: The burden of addiction is a heavy load indeed, a load that will crush us
if given enough time. Christ offers us another burden, one which is light; a
burden under which our souls will find much needed rest.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.12. Mt-Chapter 12 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

12:1 About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the
 wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to
 gather ears of wheat and eat them.
12:2 But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your
 disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath."
12:3 "Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he
 and his men were hungry?
12:4 how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented
 Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat,
 nor for any except the priests?
12:5 And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the
 priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?
12:6 But I tell you that there is here that which is greater
 than the Temple.
12:7 And if you knew what this means, It is mercy I desire,
 not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are
 without guilt.
12:8 For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath."
12:9 Departing thence He went to their synagogue,
12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled  arm. And they
 questioned Him, "Is it right to cure people on the Sabbath?"
 Their intention was to bring a charge against Him.
12:11 "Which of you is there," He replied, "who, if he has but a
 single sheep and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, will not
 lay hold of it and lift it out?
12:12 Is not a man, however, far superior to a sheep? Therefore
 it is right to do good on the Sabbath."
12:13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your arm." And he
 stretched it out, and it was restored quite sound like the other.
12:14 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted
 together against Him, how they might destroy Him.
12:15 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great
 number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured.

Note: Christ healed them all!

12:16 But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad
 His doings,
12:17 that those words of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,
12:18 "This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly
 loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My
 spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations.
12:19 He will not wrangle or raise His voice, nor will His voice
 be heard in the broadways.
12:20  A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He
 quench the still smouldering wick, until He has
 led on Justice to victory.
12:21 And on His name shall the nations rest their hopes."
                      [STEP 2 ]
12:22 At that time a demoniac was brought to Him, blind and
 dumb; and He cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and
 see.
12:23 And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement
 and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
12:24 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man only expels
 demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons."
12:25 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in
 which civil war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or
 house in which there is internal strife will be brought low.

Note: As long as we succumb to our destructive dependencies, we are a house
divided and can not continue to stand.

12:26 And if Satan is expelling Satan, he has begun to make
 war on himself: how therefore shall his kingdom last?
12:27 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that I expel the
 demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? They
 therefore shall be your judges.
12:28 But if it is by the power of the Spirit of God that I
 expel the demons, it is evident that the  Kingdom of God
 has come upon you.
12:29 Again, how can any one enter the house of a strong man
 and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and
 secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house.
12:30 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who
 is not gathering with me is scattering abroad.
12:31 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness
 for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious
 speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness.
12:32 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may
 obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit,
 neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness."
12:33 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit
 wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for
 the tree is known by its fruit.

Note: We can get a good feel for where we are in our recovery by our fruit. Is
your fruit kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, peace of mind, etc. or
something else?

12:34 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when
 you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the
 mouth speaks.
12:35 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a
 bad man from his bad store produces bad things.
12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall
 speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement.
12:37 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his
 words shall be condemned."           [STEP 9]
12:38  Then He was accosted by some of the Scribes and of the
 Pharisees who said, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign  given by
 you."
12:39 "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they
 clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the
 sign of the Prophet Jonah.
12:40 For just as Jonah was  three days in the sea-monster's
 belly, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth.
12:41 There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement
 together with the present generation, and will condemn it;
 because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark!
 there is One greater than Jonah here.
12:42 The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement
 together with the present generation, and will condemn it;
 because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom
 of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here.
12:43 "No sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of
 the man, then he  roams about in places where there is no
 water, seeking rest but finding none.
12:44 Then he says, `I will return to my house that I left;' and
 he comes and finds it unoccupied, swept clean, and in good order.
12:45 Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits
 more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and
 in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at
 first. So will it be also with  the present wicked generation."
12:46 While He was still addressing the people His mother and
 His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to
 speak to Him.
12:47 So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers
 are standing outside, and desire to speak to you."
12:48 "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are
 my brothers?"
12:49 And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my
 mother and my brothers.
12:50 To obey my Father who is in Heaven--that is to be my
 brother and my sister and my mother."

Note: The spiritual ties we have with Jesus are stronger than flesh and blood
ties--stronger than the ties of our dependencies.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.13. Mt-Chapter 13 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

13:1 That same day Jesus had left the house and was sitting
 on the shore of the Lake,
13:2 when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He
 therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the
 people stood on the shore.
13:3 He then spoke many things to them in figurative language.
 "The sower goes out," He said, "to sow.
13:4 As he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and the
 birds come and peck it up.
13:5 Some falls on rocky ground, where it has but scanty soil.
 It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth
 of earth;
13:6 but when the sun is risen, it is scorched by the heat, and
 through having no root it withers up.
13:7 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up
 and stifle it.
13:8 But a portion falls upon good ground, and gives a
 return, some a hundred for one, some sixty, some thirty.
13:9 Listen, every one who has ears!"

Note: The success of our recovery depends largely on how well we tend it and
care for it. Are you planted in deep, rich soil? Do you feed yourself regularly
with words of encouragement and strength?  Do you weed out the bad thoughts and
replace them with good?

13:10 (And His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you
 speak to them in figurative language?"
13:11 "Because," He replied, "while to you it is granted to know
 the secrets of the Kingdom of the Heavens, to them it is not.
13:12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall
 have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has
 shall be taken away.

Note: The more we grow in our recovery, the easier it becomes!
But if we refuse the helping hand of recovery and wallow in our destructive
desires, what little we do have will shortly be taken away.

13:13 I speak to them in figurative language for this reason,
 that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they
 neither hear nor understand.
13:14 And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving
 signal fulfilment: "`You will hear and hear and by no means
 understand, and you will look and look and by no means see.
13:15 For this people's  mind  is stupefied, their hearing
 has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent
 their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears,
 or understanding with their minds, and turning back,  so that
 I might heal them.'
13:16 "But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and
 your ears, for they hear.
13:17 For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men
 have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them,
 and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them.
13:18 "To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower.
13:19 When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and
 does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away
 what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received
 the seed by the road-side.
13:20 He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the
 man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.
13:21 It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues
 for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because
 of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls.
13:22 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the
 man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and
 the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it
 becomes unfruitful.
13:23 But he who has received the seed on good ground is he
 who hears and understands. Such hearers give a return, and
 yield one a hundred for one, another sixty, another thirty.")
13:24 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the
 Heavens," He said, "may be compared to a man who has sown
 good seed in his field,
13:25 but during the night his enemy comes, and over the
 first seed he sows darnel among the wheat, and goes away.
13:26 But when the blade shoots up and the grain is formed, then
 appears the darnel also.
13:27 "So the farmer's men come and ask him, "`Sir, was it
 not good seed that you sowed on your land? Where then does the
 darnel come from?'
13:28 "`Some enemy has done this,' he said. "`Shall we go, and
 collect it?' the men inquire.
13:29 "`No,' he replied, `for fear that while collecting the
 darnel you should at the same time root up the wheat with it.
13:30 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at
 harvest-time I will direct the reapers, Collect the darnel
 first, and make it up into bundles to burn it, but bring
 all the wheat into my barn.'"
13:31 Another parable He put before them. "The Kingdom of the
 Heavens," He said, "is like a mustard-seed, which a man takes
 and sows in his ground.
13:32 It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet when full-grown it
 is larger than any herb and forms a tree, so that the birds come
 and build in its branches."
13:33 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the
 Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and
 buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the
 whole mass has risen."
13:34 All this Jesus spoke to the people in figurative language,
 and except in figurative language He spoke nothing to them,
13:35 in fulfilment of the saying of the Prophet, "I will
 open my mouth in figurative language, I will utter things kept
 hidden since the creation of all things."
13:36 When He had dismissed the people and had returned to the
 house, His disciples came to Him with the request, "Explain to
 us the parable of the darnel sown in the field."
13:37 "The sower of the good seed," He replied, "is the Son of
 Man;
13:38 the field is the world; the good seed--these are the
 sons of the Kingdom; the darnel, the sons of the Evil one.
13:39 The enemy who sows the darnel is the Devil; the harvest
 is the Close of the Age; the reapers are the angels.
13:40 As then the darnel is collected together and burnt up with
 fire, so will it be at the Close of the Age.
13:41 The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will
 gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who
 violate His laws;
13:42 and these they will throw into the fiery furnace. There
 will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth.
13:43 Then will the righteous shine out like the sun in
 their Father's Kingdom. Listen, every one who has ears!
13:44 "The Kingdom of the Heavens is like treasure buried in the
 open country, which a man finds, but buries again, and, in his
 joy about it, goes and sells all he has and buys that piece of
 ground.
13:45 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a jewel
 merchant who is in quest of choice pearls.
13:46 He finds one most costly pearl; he goes away; and though
 it costs all he has, he buys it.
13:47 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a draw-net let
 down into the sea, which encloses fish of all sorts.
13:48 When full, they haul it up on the beach, and sit down and
 collect the good fish in baskets, while  the worthless they
 throw away.
13:49 So will it be at the Close of the Age. The angels will
 go forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous,
13:50 and will throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be
 the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."
13:51 "Have you understood all this?" He asked. "Yes," they
 said.
13:52 "Therefore," He said, "remember that every Scribe well
 trained for the Kingdom of the Heavens is like a householder
 who brings out of his storehouse new things and old."

Note: We learned much before recovery and before becoming Christians. Through
recovery and the Gospel, we are learning many new things and we are begining to
see things in a new light. We are to bring to the surface all the treasures
from our past and put them together with our new knowledge and understanding.

13:53 Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.
13:54 And He came into His own country and proceeded to
 teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with
 astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom,
 and these wondrous powers?
13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called
 Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?
13:56 And his sisters--are they not all living here among us?
 Where then did he get all this?"
13:57 So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to
 them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his
 own country and among his own family."
13:58 And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of
 their want of faith.

Note: Lack of faith stifles miracles. If we have faith in God and faith that
Jesus can work through us, great things can happen.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.14. Mt-Chapter 14 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

14:1 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
14:2 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he
 has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers
 are working in him."
14:3 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and
 imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,
14:4 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not
 lawful for you to have her."
14:5 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid
 of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.
14:6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias
 danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod
14:7 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.
14:8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a
 dish the head of John the Baptist."
14:9 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath
 and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,
14:10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
14:11 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young
 girl, and she took it to her mother.
14:12 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried
 it, and came and informed Jesus.
14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat
 to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard
 of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land.
14:14 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and
 felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out
 of health.
14:15 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him
 and said, "This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the
 day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages
 and buy something to eat."
14:16 "They need not go away," replied Jesus; "you yourselves
 must give them something to eat."

Note: Jesus always has time to care for the needs of others.

14:17 "We have nothing here," they said, "but five loaves and a
 couple of fish."
14:18 "Bring them here to me," He said,
14:19 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then
 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up
 to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave
 them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to
 the people.
14:20 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that
 remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.
14:21 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without
 reckoning women and children.
14:22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on
 board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to
 dismiss the people.
14:23 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in
 solitude.  Night came on, and he was there alone.

Note: We too must note the importance of getting away from all the noise and
confusion in our lives. It is essential to get to a quiet place where we can
pray and commune with God so as to restore ourselves and renew our recovery.

14:24 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted
 and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse.
14:25 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the
 waves.
14:26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they
 were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they
 cried out with terror.
14:27 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, "There is no
 danger; it is I; do not be afraid."
14:28 "Master," answered Peter, "if it is you, bid me come to
 you upon the water."
14:29 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the
 boat and walked upon the water to go to Him.
14:30 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and
 beginning to sink he cried out, "Master, save me."
14:31 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of
 him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?"

Note: It is easy become distressed by our problems, circumstances, and
troubles. But we should be equally aware of the hand of Jesus that is stretched
out to us, to catch us and save us from all the tribulations. He reaches out to
us. We must in turn reach out to Him.

Do not make the same mistake that Peter did. He took his eyes off of Jesus and
starting looking at the size of the waves and the strength of the wind. This
caused him to become overwhelmed and he started to sink. If we keep ourselves
focused on Jesus and consider His strength and power, we will be seen safely
though the storms of life and recovery.    [See Psalm 57:1]

14:32 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled;
14:33 and the men on board fell down before him and said, "You
 are indeed God's Son."
14:34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at
 Gennesaret;
14:35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into
 all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,
14:36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the
 tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored
 to perfect health.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.15. Mt-Chapter 15 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

15:1 Then there came to Jesus a party of Pharisees and
 Scribes from Jerusalem, who inquired,
15:2 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the
 Elders by not washing their hands before meals?"
15:3 "Why do you, too," He retorted, "transgress God's commands
 for the sake of your tradition?
15:4 For God said, `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and Let him
 who reviles father or mother be certainly put to death';
15:5 but you--this is what you say: `If a man says to his father
 or mother, That is consecrated, whatever it is, which
 otherwise you should have received from me--
15:6 he shall be absolved from honouring his father';  and
 so you have abrogated God's Word for the sake of your tradition.
15:7 Hypocrites! well did Isaiah prophesy of you,
15:8 "`This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while
 their heart is far away from Me;
15:9 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down
 precepts which are mere human rules.'"
15:10 Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said,
 "Hear and understand.
15:11 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that  defiles him;
 but it is what comes out of his mouth--that defiles a man."
15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know
 that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those
 words?"
15:13 "Every plant," He replied, "which my Heavenly Father has
 not planted will be rooted up.
15:14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if
 a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit."

Note: If we allow ourselves to be lead by those who remain in addiction, indeed
we are letting the blind lead us and sooner or later we will stumble into a
very deep ditch.  Instead, follow Christ who knows all and sees all. Then you
will be lead easily over the ditches of life.

15:15 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.
15:16 "Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence?
15:17 Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth
 passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body?
15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the
 heart, and it is these that defile the man.
15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked  thoughts, murder,
 adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.
15:20 These are the things which defile the man; but eating with
 unwashed hands does not defile."
15:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of
 Tyre and Sidon.
15:22 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and
 persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my
 daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon."
15:23 But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples
 interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she
 keeps crying behind us."
15:24 "I have only been sent to the  lost sheep of the house
 of Israel," He replied.
15:25 Then she  came and  threw herself at His feet and
 entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said.
15:26 "It is not right," He said, "to take the children's bread
 and throw it to the  dogs."
15:27 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat
 the scraps which fall from their masters' tables."
15:28 "O woman," replied Jesus, "great is your faith: be it done
 to you as you desire." And from that moment her daughter was
 restored to health.                [STEP 7]
15:29 Again, moving thence, Jesus went along by the Lake of
 Galilee; and ascending the hill, He sat down there.
15:30 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those
 who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many
 besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He
 cured them,
15:31 so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking,
 the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and
 the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel.
15:32 But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "My
 heart yearns over this mass of people, for it is now the
 third day that they have been with me and they have nothing to
 eat. I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they should
 faint on the road."

Note: Christ will not turn you away without feeding your soul and giving your
spirit much needed rest.

15:33 "Where can we," asked the disciples, "get bread enough in
 this remote place to satisfy so vast a multitude?"
15:34 "How many loaves have you?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they
 said, "and a few small fish."
15:35 So He bade all the people sit down on the ground,
15:36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after
 giving thanks He broke them up and then distributed them to the
 disciples, and they to the people.
15:37 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions
 that remained over they took up--seven full hampers.
15:38 Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning
 women and children.
15:39 He then dismissed the people, went on board the boat,
 and came into the district of Magadan.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.16. Mt-Chapter 16 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

               +

16:1 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make
 trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky.
16:2 He replied, "In the evening you say, `It will be fine
 weather, for the sky is red;'
16:3 and in the morning, `It will be rough weather to-day, for
 the sky is red and murky.' You learn how to distinguish the
 aspect of the heavens, but the signs of the times you cannot.
16:4 A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign;
 but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and
 He left them and went away.
16:5 When the disciples arrived at the other side of the
 Lake, they found that they had forgotten to bring any bread;
16:6 and when Jesus said to them, "See to it: beware of the
 yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,"
16:7 they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because
 we have not brought any bread."
16:8 Jesus perceived this and said, "Why are you reasoning among
 yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread?
16:9 Do you not yet understand? nor even remember the 5,000 and
 the five loaves, and how many basketfuls you carried away,
16:10 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers
 you carried away?
16:11 How is it you do not understand that it was not about
 bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the
 Pharisees and Sadducees."
16:12 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against
 bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and
 Sadducees.
16:13 When He arrived in the neighbourhood of Caesarea
 Philippi, Jesus questioned His disciples. "Who do people
 say that the Son of Man is?" He asked.
16:14 "Some say John the Baptist," they replied; "others Elijah;
 others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets."
16:15 "But you, who do you say that I am?" He asked again.

Note: Who do you say Jesus is? Who is He to you and your recovery?

16:16 "You," replied  Simon Peter, "are the Christ, the Son of
 the ever-living God."
16:17 "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for
 mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father
 in Heaven.
16:18 And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon
 this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades
 shall not triumph over it.
16:19 I will give  you the keys of the Kingdom of the Heavens;
 and whatever you bind on earth shall remain bound in Heaven,
 and whatever you loose on earth shall remain loosed in Heaven."

Note: Christ was able to take Peter, a humble fisherman, an impulsive man, the
man who denied Him three times, and change Him enough to use him as the
foundation of the church. If he could do that with Peter, just think what He
can do with us!

16:20 Then He urged His disciples to tell no one that He was the
 Christ.
16:21 From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples
 that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from
 the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to
 death, and on the third day be raised to life again.
16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task.
 "Master," he said, "God forbid; this will not be your lot."
16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me,
 Adversary; you are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts
 are not God's thoughts, but men's."

Note: We need to learn to recognize when Satan and our addiction are talking to
us and then take swift and appropriate action to put it behind us.

16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any one desires to
 follow me, let him renounce self and take up his cross, and so
 be my follower.
16:25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and
 whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it.
16:26 Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the
 whole world but  forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give
 to buy back his life?            [STEP 3]

Note: Only by forever letting go our old dependent ways can we take on new and
independent lives.

16:27 For the Son of Man is soon to come in the glory of the
 Father with His angels, and then will He requite every man
 according to his actions.
16:28 I solemnly tell you that some of those who are standing
 here will certainly not taste death till they have  seen the
 Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.17. Mt-Chapter 17 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

17:1 Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the
 brothers James and John, and brought them up a high mountain
 to a solitary place.
17:2 There in their presence His form underwent a change; His
 face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the
 light.
17:3 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing
 with Him.
17:4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to
 you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents
 here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
17:5 He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over
 them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said,
 "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen
 to Him."
17:6 On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces
 and were filled with terror.
17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Rouse
 yourselves and have no fear."
17:8 So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus.
17:9 As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a
 command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you
 have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead."
17:10 "Why then," asked the disciples, "do the Scribes say that
 Elijah must first come?"
17:11 "Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform
 everything.
17:12 But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not
 recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before
 long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way."
17:13 Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the
 Baptist about whom He had spoken to them.
17:14 When they had returned to the people, there came to Him
 a man who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him.
17:15 "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an
 epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and
 often into the water.
17:16 I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not
 been able to cure him."
17:17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus;
 "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you?
 Bring him to me."
17:18 Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left
 him; and the boy was cured from that moment.
17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him,
 "Why could not we expel the demon?"
17:20 "Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly
 declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you
 shall say to this mountain, ` Remove from this place to that,' and
 it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
17:21 But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by
 prayer and fasting."

Note: At times during our recovery, more than simple faith is required. Deep
and sincere prayer accompanied by fasting may be needed.

17:22 As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them,
 "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men;
17:23 they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will
 be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed.
17:24 After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the
 half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay
 the half-shekel?"
17:25 "Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But
 before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon?
 From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation
 tax? from their own children, or from others?"
17:26 "From others," he replied. "Then  the children go free,"
 said Jesus.
17:27 "However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a
 hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When
 you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that
 coin and give it to them for yourself and me."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.18. Mt-Chapter 18 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

18:1 Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who
 ranks higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?"
18:2 So He called a young child to Him, and, bidding him stand
 in the midst of them,
18:3 said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn
 and become like little children, you will in no case be
 admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens.
18:4 Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this young child,
 he it is who is superior to others in the Kingdom of the
 Heavens.                  [STEP 7]
18:5 And whoever for my sake receives one young child such as
 this, receives me.

Note: True humility is a cornerstone of our faith and our recovery.

18:6  But whoever shall occasion the fall of one of these
 little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to
 have a millstone hung round his neck and to be drowned in
 the depths of the sea.
18:7 "Alas for the world because of causes of falling! They
 cannot but come, but alas for each man through whom they come!
18:8 If your hand or your foot is causing you to fall into sin,
 cut it off and away with it. It is better for you to enter into Life
 crippled in hand or foot than to remain in possession of two sound
 hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages.
18:9 And if your eye is causing you to fall into sin, tear it
 out and away with it; it is better for you to enter into Life
 with only one eye, than to remain in possession of two eyes but
 be thrown into the Gehenna of fire.
18:10 "Beware of ever despising one of these little ones, for
 I tell you that in Heaven their angels have continual access to my
 Father who is in Heaven.
18:11 []
18:12 What do you yourselves think? Suppose a man gets a
 hundred sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave
 the ninety-nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is
 straying?
18:13 And if he succeeds in finding it, in solemn truth I tell
 you that he rejoices over it more than he does over the
 ninety-nine that have not gone astray.

Note: When we go astray, Jesus comes searching for us, to bring us back in to
His fold. When we are on our own we are vulnerable to all the dangers about us.
When in the flock and under the watchful eye of our Shepherd we are much safer.
He will always come looking for us no matter how far we have gone.

18:14 Just so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven
 that one of these little ones should be lost.
18:15 "If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and
 point out his fault to him when only you and he are there. If
 he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
18:16 But if he will not listen to you, go again, and ask one or
 two to go with you, that every word spoken may be attested by
 two or three witnesses.
18:17 If he refuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and
 if he refuses to hear even the Church, regard him just as
 you regard a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.
18:18 I solemnly tell you that whatever you as a Church bind
 on earth will in Heaven be held as bound, and whatever you
 loose on earth will in Heaven be held to be loosed.
18:19 I also solemnly tell you that if two of you here on earth
 agree together concerning anything whatever that they shall
 ask, the boon will come to them from my Father who is in
 Heaven.
18:20 For where there are two or three assembled in my name,
 there am I in the midst of them."

Note: If we are in need of strength, that is the time to contact a  fellow
Christian. We are promised that when when we are gathered together we are
joined by Jesus and all His majesty. Alone, we stand little chance of survival.

18:21 At this point Peter came to Him with the question,
 "Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and
 I forgive him? seven times?"
18:22 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but
 seventy times seven times.
18:23 "For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be
 compared to a king who determined to have a settlement of
 accounts with his servants.
18:24 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought
 before him who owed 10,000 talents,
18:25 and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he
 and his wife and children and everything that he had should be
 sold, and payment be made.
18:26 The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at
 his feet and entreated him. "`Only give me time,' he said, `and
 I will pay you the whole.'
18:27 "Whereupon his master, touched with compassion, set him
 free and forgave him the  debt.
18:28 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with
 one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and
 seizing him by the throat and nearly strangling him he
 exclaimed, "`Pay me all you owe.'
18:29 "His fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and entreated
 him, "`Only give me time,' he said, `and I will pay you.'
18:30 "He would not, however, but went and threw him into
 prison until he should pay what was due.
18:31 His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened,
 were exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master
 without reserve all that had happened.
18:32 At once his master called him and said, "`Wicked servant,
 I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:
18:33 ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow
 servant, just as I had pity on you?'
18:34 "So his master, greatly incensed, handed him over to the
 jailers until he should pay all he owed him.
18:35 "In the same way  my Heavenly Father will deal with you,
 if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts."
                    [STEP 8]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.19. Mt-Chapter 19 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

19:1 When Jesus had finished these discourses, He removed
 from Galilee and came into that part of Judaea which lay
 beyond the Jordan.
19:2 And a vast multitude followed him, and He cured them there.
19:3 Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to
 the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his
 wife whenever he chooses?"
19:4 "Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them
 made them'' from the beginning `male and female,
19:5 and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and
 mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be one'?
19:6 Thus they are no longer two, but `one'! What therefore
 God has joined together, let not man separate."
19:7 "Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to
 give her `a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"
19:8 "Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of
 your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not
 been so from the beginning.
19:9 And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any
 reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman,
 commits adultery."
19:10 "If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife,"
 said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry."
19:11 "It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this
 teaching, but  only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.
19:12 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from
 marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others
 who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the
 Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
19:13 Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put
 His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.
19:14 Jesus however said, "Let the little children come to me,
 and do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike
 that the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs."
19:15 So He laid His hands upon them and went away.
19:16 "Teacher," said one man, coming up to Him, "what that
 is good shall I do in order to win the Life of the Ages?"
19:17 "Why do you ask me," He replied, "about what is good?
 There is only One who is truly good. But if you desire to enter
 into Life, keep the Commandments."
19:18 "Which Commandments?" he asked. Jesus answered,
 "`Thou shalt not kill;' `Thou shalt not commit adultery;' `
 `Thou shalt not steal;' `Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;'
19:19 `Honour thy father and thy mother'; and `Thou shalt love
 thy fellow man as much as thyself.'"
19:20 "All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully
 kept. What do I still lack?"
19:21 "If you desire to be perfect," replied Jesus, "go and sell
 all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have
 wealth in Heaven; and come, follow me."
19:22 On hearing those words the young man went away much
 cast down; for he had much property.

Note: Jesus knew how much this man's posessions meant to him--they meant
everything to him. How much does your addiction mean to you? Are you willing
give it up forever for Christ?

19:23 So Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that
 it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of
 the Heavens.
19:24 Yes, I tell you, it is easier for a  camel to go through the
 eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."
19:25 These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked,
 "Who then can be saved?"
19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is
 impossible, but with God everything is possible."

Note: It is the same with addiction. It is impossible for man; but for God all
things are possible!

19:27 Then Peter said to Jesus, "See, we have forsaken
 everything and followed you; what then will be our reward?"
19:28 "I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that in the New
 Creation, when the Son of Man has taken His seat on His
 glorious throne, all of you who have followed me shall also sit
 on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
19:29 And whoever has forsaken houses, or brothers or sisters,
 or father or mother, or children or lands, for my sake,
 shall receive many times as much and shall have as his
 inheritance the Life of the Ages.
19:30 "But many who are now first will be last, and many who
 are now last will be first.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.20. Mt-Chapter 20 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

               +

20:1 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who
 went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard,
20:2 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a
 day, sent them into his vineyard.
20:3 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in
 the market-place.
20:4 To these also he said, "`You also, go into the vineyard,
 and whatever is right I will give you.'
20:5 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock,
 he went out and did the same.
20:6 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering,
 and he asked them, "`Why have you been standing here all day
 long, doing nothing?'
20:7 "`Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "`You
 also, go into the vineyard,' he said.
20:8 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "`Call
 the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and
 finish with the first.'
20:9 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they
 received a shilling apiece;
20:10 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but
 they also each got the shilling.
20:11 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the
 employer, saying,
20:12 "`These who came last have done only one hour's
 work, and you have put them on a level with us who have
 worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.'
20:13 "`My friend,' he answered to one of them, `I am doing you
 no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?
20:14 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer
 just as much as I give you.
20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own
 property? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last."

Note: It makes no difference when you come to Christ or enter recovery. You are
equally cherished by God and will be equally blessed.

20:17 Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the
 twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to
 them,
20:18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man
 will be betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will
 condemn Him to death,
20:19 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and
 scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be
 raised to life."
20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with
 her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him.
20:21 " What is it you desire?" He asked. "Command," she
 replied, "that these my two sons may sit one at your right hand
 and one at your left in  your Kingdom."
20:22 "None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus;
 "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to
 drink?" "We can," they replied.
20:23 "You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat at
 my right hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it
 belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
20:24 The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was
 aroused against the two brothers.
20:25 But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that
 the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men
 exercise authority over them.
20:26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be
 great among you shall be your servant,
20:27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your
 bondservant;
20:28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
 and to give His life as the  redemption-price  for many."

Note: Just as Jesus was humble, so must we be humble. Without humility, our
recovery is greatly crippled.

20:29  As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd
 following Him,
20:30 two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was
 Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David,
 pity us."
20:31 The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried
 all the louder. "O Sir, Son of David, pity us," they said.
20:32 So Jesus stood still and called to them. "What shall I do
 for you?" He asked.
20:33 "Sir, let our eyes be opened," they replied.
20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and
 immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
                    [STEP 2]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.21. Mt-Chapter 21 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

              +

21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at
 Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the
 disciples on in front,
21:2 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and
 as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with
 her. Untie her and bring them to me.
21:3 And if any one says anything to you, say,  `The Master
 needs them,' and he will at once send them."
21:4 This took place in order that the Prophet's prediction
 might be fulfilled:
21:5 "Tell the Daughter of Zion, `See, thy King is coming
 to thee, gentle, and yet mounted on an ass, even on a colt
 the foal of a beast of burden.'"
21:6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them:
21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their
 outer garments on them. So He sat on them;
21:8 and most of the crowd kept spreading their garments along
 the road, while others  cut branches from the trees and
 carpeted the road with them,
21:9 and the multitudes--some of the people preceding Him and
 some following--sang aloud, "God save the Son of David!
 Blessings on Him who comes in the Lord's name! God in the
 highest Heavens save Him!"
21:10 When He thus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown
 into commotion, every one inquiring, "Who is this?"
21:11 "This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee,"
 replied the crowds.
21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were
 buying and selling there, and overturned the money-changers'
 tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers.
21:13 "It is written," He said, "`My House shall be called
 the House of Prayer', but you are making it a robbers' cave."
21:14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple,
 and He cured them.
21:15 But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the
 wonderful things that He had done and the children who were
 crying aloud in the Temple, "God save the Son of David," they
 were filled with indignation.
21:16 "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are
 saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, `Out of the
 mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought
 forth the praise which is due'?"
21:17 So He left them and went out of the city to Bethany and
 passed the night there.
21:18 Early in the morning as He was on His way to return
 to the city He was hungry,
21:19 and seeing a fig-tree on the road-side He went up to
 it, but found nothing on it but leaves. "On you," He said, "no
 fruit shall ever again grow." And immediately the fig-tree
 withered away.
21:20 When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment,
 "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!"
21:21 "I solemnly tell you," said Jesus, "that if you have an
 unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as
 this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this
 mountain, `Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,' it shall
 be done;
21:22 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your
 prayers, if you have faith, you shall obtain."     [STEP 7]
21:23 He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the
 High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked
 Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and
 who gave you this authority?"
21:24 "And I also have a question to ask you," replied Jesus,
 "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what
 authority I do these things.
21:25 John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a
 human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If
 we say `a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, `Why
 then did you not believe him?'
21:26 and if we say `a human origin' we have the people to fear,
 for they all hold John to have been a Prophet."
21:27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know."  "Nor do I
 tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."
21:28 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had
 two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "`My son,
 go and work in the vineyard to-day.'
21:29 "`I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry,
 and went.
21:30 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His
 answer was, "`I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go.
21:31 Which of the two did as his father desired?"  "The
 first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that
 the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the
 Kingdom of God in front of you.
21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and
 you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious
 sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this
 example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to
 believe him.
21:33 "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who
 planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in
 it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to
 vine-dressers, and went abroad.
21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to
 the vine-dressers to receive his share of the  grapes;
21:35 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they
 cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones.
21:36 Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than
 the first; and these they treated in the same manner.
21:37 Later still he sent to them  his son,  saying, "`They
 will respect my son.'
21:38 "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one
 another, "`Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his
 inheritance.'
21:39 "So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and
 killed him.
21:40 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do
 to those vine-dressers?"
21:41 "He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the
 reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers
 who will render the produce to him at the vintage season."
21:42 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus,
 "`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the
 Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is
 wonderful in our eyes'?
21:43 "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God
 will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will
 exhibit the power  of it.
21:44 He who falls on this stone will be severely hurt; but
 he on whom it falls will be utterly crushed."
21:45 After listening to His parables the High Priests and the
 Pharisees perceived that He was speaking about them;
21:46 but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they
 were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a
 Prophet.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.22. Mt-Chapter 22 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

22:1 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language.
22:2 "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "may be compared
 to a king who celebrated the marriage of his son,
22:3 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the
 wedding, but they were unwilling to come.
22:4 "Again he sent other servants with a message to those who
 were invited. "`My breakfast is now ready," he said, `my
 bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is
 made: come to the wedding.'
22:5 "They however gave no heed, but went, one to his home in
 the country, another to his business;
22:6 and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them,
 and murdered them.
22:7 So the king's anger was stirred, and he sent his troops and
 destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.
22:8 Then he said to his servants, "`The wedding banquet is
 ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it.
22:9 Go out therefore to the crossroads, and everybody you meet
 invite to the wedding.'
22:10 "So they went out into the roads and gathered together all
 they  could find, both bad and good, and the banqueting
 hall was filled with guests.
22:11 "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them
 he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe.
22:12 "`My friend,' he said, `how is it that you came in here
 without a wedding robe?'
22:13 "The man stood speechless. Then the king said to the
 servants, "`Bind him hand and foot and fling him into the
 darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the
 gnashing of teeth.'
22:14 "For there are many called, but few chosen."

Note: Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of heaven is open to all.  We are invited
and all we have to do is accept the invitation.  Recovery is much like the
feast in this parable; all we need to do is take advantage of the resources
that are there waiting for us.

22:15 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they
 might entrap Him in His conversation.
22:16 So they sent to Him their disciples together with the
 Herodians;  who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful
 and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man
 misleads you, for you  are not biased by men's wealth or rank.
22:17 Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us
 to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?"
22:18 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you
 hypocrites trying to ensnare me?
22:19 Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling.
22:20 "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?"
22:21 "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined,
 "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."
22:22 They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and
 went their way.
22:23 On the same day a party of Sadducees came to Him,
 contending that there is no resurrection. And they put this
 case to Him.
22:24 "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, `If a man die
 childless, his brother shall marry his widow, and raise up a
 family for him.'
22:25 Now we had among us seven brothers. The eldest of them
 married, but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother.
22:26 So also did the second and the third, down to the seventh,
22:27 till the woman also died, after surviving them all.
22:28 At the Resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven
 will she be? for they all married her."
22:29 The reply of Jesus was, "You are in error, through
 ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God.
22:30 For in the Resurrection, men neither marry nor are women
 given in marriage, but they are like angels in Heaven.
22:31 But as to the Resurrection of the dead, have you never
 read what God says to you,
22:32 `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God
 of Jacob'?  He is not the God of dead, but of living men."
22:33 All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement
 at His teaching.
22:34  Now the Pharisees came up when they heard that He
 had silenced the Sadducees,
22:35 and one of them, an expounder of the Law, asked Him as a
 test question,
22:36 "Teacher,  which is the  greatest Commandment in the
 Law?"
22:37 "`Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,'" He answered,
 "`with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind.'
22:38 This is the greatest and foremost Commandment.
22:39 And the second is similar to it: `Thou shalt love thy
 fellow man  as much as thyself.'
22:40 The whole of the Law and the Prophets is summed up in
 these two Commandments."              [STEP 8]

Note: Get the priorities straight in life. The Great Commandment, the first
Commandment is: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of
your mind, and with all of your soul. If we do that, the second commandment
will easily follow: Love your fellow man as you love yourself.

Recovery is about love. Love of God, love of self and love of others. If we get
the love part right, we are well on our path to recovery.

22:41 While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus
 put a question to them.
22:42 "What think you about the Christ," He said, "whose son is
 He?" "David's," they replied.
22:43 "How then," He asked, "does David, taught by the
 Spirit, call Him Lord, when he says,
22:44 "`The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand until I
 have put thy foes beneath thy feet'?
22:45 "If therefore David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?"
22:46 No one could say a word in reply, nor from that day did
 any one venture again to put a question to Him.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.23. Mt-Chapter 23 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

23:1 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.
23:2 "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the
 chair of Moses.
23:3 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you;
 but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others
 what to do, they do not do it themselves.
23:4 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and
 load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not
 with one finger do they choose to lift them.
23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being
 observed by men; for they widen their  phylacteries and make
 the tassels large,
23:6 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues,
23:7 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to
 be addressed by men as `Rabbi.'
23:8 "As for you, do not accept the title of `Rabbi,' for one
 alone is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
23:9 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your
 Father--the Heavenly Father.
23:10 And do not accept the name of `leader,' for your Leader is
 one alone--the Christ.
23:11 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;
23:12 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who
 abases himself shall be exalted.          [STEP 5]

Note: What does humility mean to you?
Humility is understanding the real, true relationship between God and ourselves
and the relationship between ourselves and others. It is keeping things in a
healthy perspective.

23:13 "But alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for
 you lock the door of the Kingdom of the Heavens against men;
 you yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those to enter
 who are seeking to do so.
23:14  []
23:15 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you
 scour sea and land in order to win one convert--and when he is
 gained, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as
 yourselves.
23:16 "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "`Whoever
 swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears
 by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.'
23:17 "Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the
 Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?
23:18 And you say, "`Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing;
 but whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.'
23:19 "You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or
 the altar which makes the offering holy?
23:20 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by
 everything on it;
23:21 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by
 Him who dwells in it;
23:22 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of
 God and by Him who sits upon it.
23:23 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for
 you pay the tithe on mint, dill, and cumin, while you have
 neglected the weightier requirements of the Law--just
 judgement, mercy, and faithful dealing. These things you ought
 to have done, and yet you ought not to have left the others undone.
23:24 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp
 down the camel!
23:25  "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for
 you wash clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within
 they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
23:26 Blind Pharisee, first wash clean the inside of the cup
 or dish, and then the outside will be clean also.
23:27 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you
 are just like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which
 pleases the eye, though inside they are full of dead men's
 bones and of all that is unclean.
23:28 The same is true of you: outwardly you seem to the human
 eye to be good and honest men, but, within, you are full of
 insincerity and disregard of God's Law.     [STEP 4]

Note: It is useless to have the appearance of recovery on the outside if true
recovery is not taking place on the inside. Recovery comes from within and
flows out. Not the other way around.

23:29 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for
 you repair the sepulchres of the Prophets and keep in order
 the tombs of the righteous,
23:30 and your boast is, "`If we had lived in the time of our
 forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in
 the murder of the Prophets.'
23:31 "So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are
 descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.
23:32 Fill up the measure of your forefathers' guilt.
23:33 O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape
 condemnation to Gehenna?
23:34 "For this reason I am sending to you Prophets and wise
 men and Scribes. Some of them you will put to death--nay,
 crucify; some of them you will flog in your synagogues and
 chase from town to town;
23:35 that all the innocent blood shed upon earth may come on
 you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah
 the son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Sanctuary
 and the altar.
23:36 I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come
 upon the present generation.
23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! thou who murderest the Prophets
 and stonest those who have been sent to thee! how often have I
 desired to gather thy children to me, just as a hen gathers her
 chickens under her wings, and you would not come!
23:38 See, your house will now be left to you desolate!
23:39 For I tell you that you will never see me again until you
 say, `Blessed be He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.24. Mt-Chapter 24 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                 +

24:1 Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when
 His disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings.
24:2 "You see all these?" He replied; "in solemn truth I tell
 you that there will not be left here one stone upon another
 that will not be pulled down."
24:3 Afterwards He was on the Mount of Olives and was seated
 there when the disciples came to Him, apart from the others,
 and said, "Tell us when this will be; and what will be the sign
 of your Coming and of the Close of the Age?"
24:4 "Take care that no one misleads you," answered Jesus;
24:5 "for many will come assuming my name and saying `I am
 the Christ;' and they will mislead many.
24:6 And before long you will hear of wars and rumours of wars.
 Do not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet.
24:7 For nation will rise in arms against nation, kingdom
 against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
 various places;
24:8 but all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.
24:9 "At that time they will deliver you up to punishment and
 will put you to death; and you will be objects of hatred to all
 the nations because you are called by my name.
24:10 Then will many stumble and fall, and they will betray
 one another and hate one another.
24:11 Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray;
24:12 and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the
 love of the great majority will grow cold;
24:13 but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved.
24:14 And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed
 throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all
 the Gentiles; and then the End will come.
24:15 "When you have seen (to use the language of the Prophet
 Daniel) the`Abomination of Desolation', standing in the Holy
 Place" --let the reader observe those words--
24:16 "then let those who are in Judaea escape to the hills;
24:17 let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in
 his house;
24:18 nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his
 outer garment.
24:19 And alas for the women who at that time are with child
 or have infants!
24:20 "But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on
 the Sabbath;
24:21 for it will be a time of great suffering, such as never
 has been from the beginning of the world till now, and
 assuredly never will be again.
24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would
 escape; but for the sake of God's own People those days
 will be cut short.
24:23 "If at that time any one should say to you, `See, here
 is the Christ!' or `Here!' give no credence to it.
24:24 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets,
 displaying wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive,
 were it possible, even God's own People.
24:25 Remember, I have forewarned you.
24:26 If therefore they should say to you, `See, He is in the
 Desert!' do not go out there: or `See, He is indoors in the
 room!' do not believe it.
24:27 For just as the lightning flashes in the east and is seen
 to the very west, so will be the Coming of the Son of Man.
24:28 Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures
 flock together.
24:29 "But immediately after those times of distress the sun
 will be darkened, the moon will not shed her light, the
 stars will fall from the firmament, and the forces which
 control the heavens will be disordered and disturbed.
24:30 Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky;
 and then will all the nations of the earth
 lament, when they  see the Son of Man coming on the
 clouds of the sky with great power and glory.
24:31 And He will send out His angels with a loud
 trumpet-blast, and they will  bring together His own People
 to Him from north, south, east and west--from one extremity of
 the world to the other.
24:32 "Now learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As
 soon as its branches have now become soft and it is bursting
 into leaf, you all know that summer is near.
24:33 So you also, when you see all these signs, may be sure
 that  He is near--at your very door.
24:34 I tell you in solemn truth that  the present generation
 will certainly not pass away without all these things having
 first taken place.
24:35  Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my
 words will not pass away.

Note: The Word of God is eternal. Our lives must be built on that which is
sovereign and inexhaustable, not on selfish desires that are fleeting and
wavering at best.

24:36 "But as to that day and the exact time no one knows--not
 even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
24:37 `For as it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at
 the Coming of the Son of Man.
24:38 At that time, before the Deluge, men were busy eating and
 drinking, taking wives or giving them, up to the very day when
 Noah entered the Ark,
24:39 nor did they realise any danger till the Deluge came and
 swept them all away; so will it be at the Coming of the Son of Man.
24:40 Then will two men be in the open country: one will be
 taken away, and one left behind.
24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be
 taken away, and one left behind.
24:42 Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day
 on which your Lord is coming.
24:43 But of this be assured, that if the master of the house
 had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would
 have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into.
24:44 Therefore you also must be ready; for it is at a time when
 you do not expect Him that the Son of Man will come.
24:45 "Who therefore is the loyal and intelligent servant to
 whom his master has entrusted the control of his household
 to give them their rations at the appointed time?
24:46 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes
 shall find so doing!
24:47 In solemn truth I tell you that he will give him the
 management of all his wealth.
24:48 But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his
 heart, `My master is a long time in coming,'
24:49 and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he
 eats and drinks with drunkards;
24:50 the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he is
 not expecting him and at an hour of which he has not been informed;
24:51 he will treat him with the utmost severity and assign
 him a place among the hypocrites: there will be the weeping
 and the gnashing of teeth.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.25. Mt-Chapter 25 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

25:1 "Then will the Kingdom of the Heavens be found to be
 like ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to
 meet the bridegroom.
25:2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
25:3 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not
 provide themselves with oil;
25:4 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks.
25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that
 meanwhile they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
25:6 But at midnight there is a loud cry, "`The bridegroom! Go
 out and meet him!'
25:7 "Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed
 their torches.
25:8 "`Give us some of your oil,' said the foolish ones to the
 wise, `for our torches are going out.'
25:9 "`But perhaps,' replied the wise, `there will not be enough
 for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.'
25:10 "So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came;
 those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the
 wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
25:11 "Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, "`Sir,
 Sir, open the door to us.'
25:12 "`In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, `I do not know you.'
25:13 "Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor
 the hour.

Note: Just as we have to be prepared at all times for the coming of the Lord,
we must be constantly nuturing and cultivating our recovery.

25:14  "Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels,
 called his  bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.
25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another
 one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then
 started from home.
25:16 Without delay the one who had received the five talents
 went and employed them in business, and gained five more.
25:17 In the same way he who had the two gained two more.
25:18 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole
 and buried his  master's money.
25:19  "After a long lapse of time the master of those
 servants returned, and had a reckoning with them.
25:20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought
 five more, and said, "`Sir, it was five talents that you
 entrusted to me: see, I have gained five more.'
25:21 "`You have done well,  good and  trustworthy servant,'
 replied his master; `you have been trustworthy in the
 management of a little, I will put you in charge of much:
 share your master's joy.'
25:22 "The second, who had received the two talents, came and
 said, "`Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I
 have gained two more.'
25:23 "`Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,' his
 master replied; `you have been trustworthy in the management of
 a little, I will put you in charge of much:  share your
 master's joy.'
25:24 "But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping
 came and said, "`Sir,  I knew you to be a severe man, reaping
 where you had not sown and garnering  what you had not
 winnowed.
25:25 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the
 ground: there you have what belongs to you.'
25:26 "`You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master,
 `did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner
 what I have not winnowed?
25:27 Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and
 so when I came I should have got back my property with
 interest.
25:28 So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man
 who has the ten.'
25:29 (For to every one who has, more shall be given, and he
 shall have abundance; but from him  who has nothing, even
 what he has shall be taken away.)       [STEP 12]

Note: Our gifts are given to us by God to nurture and to increase. Our recovery
can be complete only by helping others in recovery, by sharing what we have
learned and by giving away what we have been given.

25:30 `But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the
 darkness outside: there will be the weeping and the gnashing
 of teeth.'
25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the
 angels with Him, then will He sit upon His glorious throne,
25:32 and  all the nations will be gathered into His presence.
 And He will separate  them from one another, just as a
 shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
25:33 and will make the sheep stand at His right hand, and the
 goats at His left.
25:34 "Then the King will say to those at His right, "`Come, my
 Father's blessed ones, receive your inheritance of the Kingdom
 which has been  divinely intended for you ever since the
 creation of the world.
25:35 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was
 thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a
 welcome;
25:36 when I was ill-clad, you clothed me; when I was sick, you
 visited me; when I was in prison, you came to see me.'
25:37 "`When, Lord,' the righteous will reply, `did we see
 Thee hungry, and feed Thee; or thirsty, and give Thee drink?
25:38 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee a welcome?
 or ill-clad, and clothe Thee?
25:39 When did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to see
 Thee?'
25:40 "But the King will answer them, "`In solemn truth I tell
 you that in so far as you rendered such services to one of the
 humblest of these my brethren, you rendered them to myself.'
25:41 "Then will He say to those at His left, "`Begone from me,
 with the curse resting upon you, into the Fire of the Ages,
 which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.
25:42 For when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat; when
 thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink;
25:43 when homeless, you gave me no welcome; ill-clad, you
 clothed me not; sick or in prison, you visited me not.'
25:44 "Then will they also answer, "`Lord, when did we see
 Thee hungry or thirsty or homeless or ill-clad or sick or in
 prison, and not come to serve Thee?'
25:45 "But he will reply, "`In solemn truth I tell you that in
 so far as you withheld such services from one of the humblest
 of these, you withheld them from me.'
25:46 "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the
 Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages."

Note: It is our duty as Christians and recovering people to help and minister
to others in need. When was the last time you, as an individual, helped a
stranger, visited someone in prison, fed someone who was without food, clothed
the unclothed?


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.26. Mt-Chapter 26 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

26:1 When Jesus had ended all these discourses, He said to
 His disciples,
26:2 "You know that in two days' time the Passover comes. And
 the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
26:3 Then the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in
 the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas,
26:4 and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by
 stratagem and put Him to death.
26:5 But they said, "Not during the Festival, lest there be a
 riot among the people."
26:6 Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at the house
 of Simon the Leper,
26:7 a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly,
 sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He
 reclined at table.
26:8 "Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples;
26:9 "for this might have been sold for a considerable sum, and
 the money given to the poor."
26:10 But Jesus heard it, and said to them, "Why are you vexing
 her? For she has done a most gracious act towards me.
26:11 The poor you always have with you, but me you have not
 always.
26:12 In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to
 prepare me for burial.
26:13 In solemn truth I tell you that wherever in the whole
 world this Good News shall be proclaimed, this deed of hers
 shall be spoken of in memory of her."
26:14 At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas
 Iscariot, went to the High Priests
26:15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I betray him
 to you?" So they weighed out to him thirty shekels,
26:16 and from that moment he was on the look out for an
 opportunity to betray Him.
26:17 On the first day of the Unleavened Bread the disciples
 came to Jesus with the question, "Where shall we make
 preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
26:18 "Go into the city," He replied, "to a certain man, and
 tell him, `The Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at
 your house that I shall keep the Passover with my disciples.'"
26:19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the
 Passover ready.
26:20 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve
 disciples,
26:21 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, "In
 solemn truth I tell you that one of you will betray me."
26:22 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him,
 "Can it be I, Master?"
26:23 "The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me,"
 He answered, "is the man who will betray me.
26:24 The Son of Man is indeed going as is written concerning
 Him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!
 It had been a happy thing for that man if he had never been born."
26:25 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked,
 "Can it be I, Rabbi?"  "It is you," He replied.
26:26 During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit,
 blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples,
 saying, "Take this and eat it: it is my body."
26:27 And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to
 them saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
26:28 for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many
 for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant.
26:29 I tell you that I will never again take the produce of
 the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with
 you in my Father's Kingdom."
26:30 So they sang  the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
26:31 Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble
 and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, `I will
 strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be
 scattered in all directions.'
26:32 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you
 into Galilee."
26:33 "All may stumble and fail," said Peter, "but I never will."
26:34 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that this very
 night, before the cock crows, you will three times disown me."
26:35 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will
 never disown you." In like manner protested all the disciples.
26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane.
 And He said to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I go
 yonder and there pray."
26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi.
 Then He began to be full of anguish and distress,
26:38 and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish
 to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me."
26:39 Going forward a short distance He fell on His face and
 prayed. "My Father," He said, "if it is possible, let this
 cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou
 willest."                  [STEP 3]
26:40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and
 He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me
 for even a single hour!
26:41 Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into
 temptation:  the spirit is  right willing, but the  body
 is frail."                   [STEP 11]
26:42 Again a second time He went away and prayed, saying, "My
 Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without my
 drinking it, Thy will be done."         [STEP 3]
26:43 He came and again found them asleep, for they were very
 tired.
26:44 So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a
 third time, again using the same words.

Note: Jesus prayed three times asking God to remove His suffering. In our lives
suffering comes in many forms and sometimes no matter how hard or often we
pray, the suffering does not seem to be relieved. God has a divine plan for
each one of us. We must learn patience to follow the plan through, no matter
how painful.

26:45 Then He came to the disciples and said, "Sleep on and
 rest. See, the moment is close at hand when the Son of Man is
 to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men.
26:46 Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at
 hand."
26:47  He had scarcely finished speaking when Judas came--one
 of the Twelve--accompanied by a great crowd of men armed with
 swords and bludgeons, sent by the High Priests and Elders of
 the People.
26:48 Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to
 direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay
 hold of him."
26:49 So he went straight to Jesus and said,  "Peace to you,
 Rabbi!" And he kissed Him eagerly.
26:50 "Friend," said Jesus, "carry out your intention." Then
 they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly.
26:51 But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the
 High Priest's servant, cutting off his ear.
26:52 "Put back your sword again," said Jesus, "for all who
 draw the sword shall perish by the sword.
26:53 Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would
 instantly send to my help more than twelve legions of angels?
26:54 In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which
 declare that thus it must be?"
26:55 Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if
 to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend
 me? Day after day I  have been sitting teaching in the Temple,
 and you did not arrest me.
26:56 But all this has taken place in order that the writings
 of the Prophets may be fulfilled." At this point the disciples
 all left Him and fled.
26:57 But the officers who had laid hold of Jesus led Him
 away to Caiaphas the High Priest, at whose house the Scribes
 and the Elders had assembled.
26:58 And Peter kept following Him at a distance, till he came
 even to the court of the High Priest's palace, where he entered
 and sat down among the  officers to see the issue.
26:59 Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were
 seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to
 death;
26:60 but they could find none, although many false witnesses
 came forward. At length there came two
26:61 who testified, "This man said, `I am able to pull down the
 Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.'"
26:62 Then the High Priest stood up and asked Him, "Have you no
 answer to make? What is it these men are saying in evidence
 against you?"
26:63 Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest
 addressed Him. "In the name of the ever-living God," he
 said, "I now put you on your oath. Tell us whether you are
 the Christ, the Son of God."
26:64 "I am He," replied Jesus. "But I tell you that,
 later on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right
 hand of Omnipotence, and coming on the clouds of the sky."
26:65 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed,
 "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses!
 See, you have now heard the impiety.
26:66 What is your verdict?" "He deserves to die," they replied.
26:67 Then they spat in His face, and struck Him--some with the
 fist, some with the open hand--
26:68 while they taunted Him, saying, "Christ, prove yourself
 a Prophet by telling us who it was that struck you."
26:69 Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the
 palace, when one of the maidservants came over to him and
 said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilaean."
26:70 He denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what
 you mean."
26:71 Soon afterwards he went out and stood in the gateway,
 when another girl saw him, and said, addressing the people there,
 "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene."
26:72 Again he denied it with an oath. "I do not know the man,"
 he said.
26:73 A short time afterwards the people standing there came
 and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your
 brogue shows it."
26:74 Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the
 man." Immediately a cock crowed,
26:75 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said,
 "Before the cock crows you will three times disown me." And he
 went out and wept aloud, bitterly.       [STEP 10]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.27. Mt-Chapter 27 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

               +

27:1 When morning came all the High Priests and the Elders of
 the people consulted together against Jesus to put Him to death;
27:2 and binding Him they led Him away and handed Him over to
 Pilate the Governor.
27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He
 was condemned, smitten with remorse he brought back the thirty
 shekels to the High Priests and Elders
27:4 and said, "I have sinned, in betraying to death one who is
 innocent." "What does that matter to us?" they replied; it is
 your business."
27:5 Flinging the shekels into the Sanctuary he left the place,
 and went and hanged himself.
27:6 When the High Priests had gathered up the money they said,
 "It is illegal to put it into the Treasury, because it is the
 price of blood."
27:7 So after consulting together they spent the money in the
 purchase of the Potter's Field as a burial place for people not
 belonging to the city;
27:8 for which reason that piece of ground received the name,
 which it still bears, of `the Field of Blood.'
27:9 Then were fulfilled the words spoken by the Prophet
 Jeremiah, "And I took the thirty shekels, the price of the
 prized one on whom Israelites had set a price,
27:10 and  gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord
 directed me."
27:11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and
 the latter put the question, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
 "I am their King," He answered.
27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing
 their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.
27:13 "Do you not hear," asked Pilate, "what a mass of
 evidence they are bringing against you?"
27:14 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the
 Governor was greatly astonished.
27:15 Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to
 release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;
27:16 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called
 Barabbas.
27:17 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them.
 "Whom shall I release to you," he said,  "Barabbas, or Jesus
 the so-called Christ?"
27:18 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had
 been brought before him.
27:19 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to
 him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man,"
 she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream
 through him."
27:20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders  urged the
 crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.
27:21 So when the Governor  a second time asked them, "Which
 of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"
27:22 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the
 so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be
 crucified!"
27:23 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But
 they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"
27:24 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on
 the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water
 and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not
 responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."
27:25 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our
 children!"
27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to
 be  scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
27:27 Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the
 Praetorium, and called together the whole battalion to
 make sport of Him.
27:28 Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general's
 short crimson cloak.
27:29 They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His
 head, and they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and
 kneeling to Him they shouted in mockery,  "Long live the King
 of the Jews!"
27:30 Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they
 repeatedly struck Him on the head with it.
27:31 At last, having finished their sport, they took off the
 cloak, clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away
 for crucifixion.
27:32 Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they
 compelled to carry His cross,
27:33 and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means
 `Skull-ground.'
27:34 Here they gave Him a mixture of  wine and gall to drink,
 but having tasted it He refused to drink it.
27:35  After crucifying Him, they divided His garments among
 them by lot,
27:36 and sat down there on guard.
27:37 Over His head they placed a written statement of the
 charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27:38 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one
 at His right hand and the other at His left.
27:39  And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads
 at Him
27:40 and said, "You who would pull down the Sanctuary and
 build a new one within three days, save yourself. If you are
 God's Son, come down from the cross."
27:41 In like manner the High Priests also, together with the
 Scribes and the Elders, taunted Him.
27:42 "He saved others," they said,  "himself he cannot save!
 He is the King of Israel! Let him now come down from the cross,
 and we will believe in him.
27:43 His trust is in God: let God deliver him now, if He will
 have him; for he said, `I am God's Son.'"
27:44 Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the
 robbers who were being crucified with Him.
27:45 Now from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon
 there was darkness over the whole land;
27:46 but about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
 "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My
 God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

Note: We have all felt abandoned by God at one time or another. We must keep
our eyes firmly fixed on the ability of God to turn what appears to be the end
of all hope, into something far more glorious than we could ever possibly
imagine. When things appear the darkest, that is when God is closest to us.

27:47 "The man is calling for Elijah," said some of the bystanders.
27:48 One of them ran forthwith, and filling a sponge with sour
 wine put it on the end of a cane and offered it Him to drink;
27:49 while the rest said, "Let us see whether Elijah is coming
 to deliver him."
27:50 But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His
 spirit.
27:51 Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in
 two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;
27:52 the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were
 asleep in death  awoke.
27:53 And coming out of their tombs after Christ's resurrection
 they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.
27:54 As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him
 keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake
 and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and
 exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son."
27:55 And there were a number of women there looking on from a
 distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to
 His necessities;
27:56 among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of
 James and  Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi.
27:57 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of
 Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself also had become a
 disciple of Jesus.
27:58 He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus,
 and Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
27:59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of
 fine linen.
27:60 He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn
 in the solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the
 door of the tomb he went home.
27:61 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present
 there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre.
27:62 On the next day, the day after the Preparation, the High
 Priests and the Pharisees came in a body to Pilate.
27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime
 that impostor pretended that after two days he was to rise to
 life again.
27:64 So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely guarded
 till the third day, for fear his disciples should come by night
 and steal  the body, and then tell the people that he has
 come back to life; and so the last imposture will be more
 serious than the first."
27:65 "You can have a guard," said Pilate: "go and make all
 safe, as best you can."
27:66 So they went and made the sepulchre secure, sealing the
 stone besides setting the guard.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.28. Mt-Chapter 28 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                +

28:1 After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of
 the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the
 sepulchre.
28:2 But to their amazement there had been a great
 earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven,
 and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.
28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as
 snow.
28:4 For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became
 like dead men.
28:5 But the angel said to the women, "As for you, dismiss
 your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking
 for--the crucified One.
28:6 He is not here: He has come back to life, as He
 foretold. Come and see the place where He lay.
28:7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen
 from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you
 shall see Him. Remember, I have told you."
28:8 They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but
 full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.
28:9 And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them.
 "Peace be to you," He said. And they came and clasped His feet,
 bowing to the ground before Him.
28:10 Then He said, "Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my
 brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me."
28:11 While they went on this errand, some of the guards came
 into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of
 what had happened.
28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after
 consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,
28:13 telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night
 and stole his body while we were asleep."
28:14 "And if this," they added, "is reported to the
 Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment."
28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed;
 and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current
 to this day.
28:16 As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into
 Galilee, to the hill where Jesus had arranged to meet them.
28:17 There they saw Him and  prostrated themselves before
 Him. Yet some doubted.
28:18 Jesus however came near and said to them, "All power in
 Heaven and over the earth has been given to me.
28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations;
 baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son,
 and of the Holy Spirit;
28:20 and teach them to obey every command which I have given
 you. And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the
 Close of the Age."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. 12 Steps ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction -
      that our lives had become unmanageable.

  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than our-
   selves could restore us to sanity.

  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
   over to the care of God as we understood Him.

  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory
   of ourselves.

  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another
   human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

  6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all
   these defects of character.

  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and
   became willing to make amends to them all.

  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever
   possible, except when to do so would injure
   them or others.

 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when
    we were wrong promptly admitted it.

 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve
    our conscious contact with God as we understood
    Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for
    us and the power to carry that out.

 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result
   of these steps, we tried to carry this message to
   others, and to practice these principles in all
   or affairs.
















































































































































































ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Step  1 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          STEP 1

We admitted we were powerless over our addiction--that our lives had become unmanageable.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Step  2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

           STEP 2

Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. Step  3 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

           Step 3

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. Step  4 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          Step 4

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.5. Step  5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          Step 5

Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of
our wrongs.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.6. Step  6 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          Step 6

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.7. Step  7 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          Step 7

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.8. Step  8 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

         Step 8

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to
them all.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.9. Step  9 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

          Step 9

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would
injure them or others.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.10. Step 10 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

         Step 10

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.11. Step 11 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

           Step 11

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God
as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.12. Step 12 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

         Step 12

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry
this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Serenity Prayer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it:

Trusting that you will make all things right
if I surrender to your will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with you forever
in the next.

            ~~~


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Tips & Hints ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

1) Print out the Key to Marked Text so you can refer to it while reading the
Recovery Bible.

2) Make sure to exit out of the chapter or book you were reading (use ESC)
before clicking on a new chapter or book to read. Older computers and those
short on RAM may encounter error messages if you do not follow this procedure.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Order Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                            +

                       ORDER FORM


 Name:_____________________________ Order Date:_______________

 Address:___________________________

      ___________________________

 City:______________________________ State/Province:_____________________

 ZIP/Postal Code:____________________ Country:___________________________

 Phone Number:______________________  Email Addess:____________________
                (to verify order information)

  Available only in 3.5" Disks!


The Recovery Bible:
 ___ Modern Language NT for Windows          @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ King  James  Version  for  Windows        @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ Modern Language NT for OS/2            @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ King  James  Version  for  OS/2          @ $29.95US   ____________
    [Note: king James Version includes Psalms & Proverbs
    Modern Language Version does not.]

Recovery Companion:
 ___ Windows Version                  @ $29.95US   _____________
 ___ OS/2 Version                    @ $29.95US   _____________

Bible Aid:
 ___ King James Version for Windows          @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ King James for OS/2                @ $29.95US  ____________

WordWise for Recovery:
 ___ Windows Version                  @$29.95US   ____________
 ___ OS/2 Version                    @$29.95US   ____________

                                        $3.00
                           Shipping & Handling  ____________

                        Total Enclosed for Order  ____________

    Special Offer! Order two or more programs at the same time
                receive them for only $24.95 each!
                     (Add $3 s&h)

             (Click Here for information on the Recovery Companion)

                (Click Here for information on Bible Aid)

             (Click Here for information on WordWise for Recovery)

Please make your check or money order payable to S. O. Brennan
and mail to:

S. O. Brennan
P.O. Box 4422          Compuserve: 71726,2342
Tequesta, FL 33469       Internet: [e-mail]

Credit Card Orders via BMT Micro, Inc. 1-800-414-4268
Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express

Check the Christians in Recovery Internet Site on the World Wide Web for
several other Bible and Recovery programs as well as future updates and
additions to the Recovery Bible.

             http://www.goshen.net/cir


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. BMT Micro Order Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                           +
  _____________________________________________________________________

               Ordering made easy via BMT Micro

                    1-800-414-4268

   _____________________________________________________________________



  Available only in 3.5" Disks!


The Recovery Bible:
 ___ Modern Language NT for Windows          @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ King  James  Version  for  Windows        @ $29.95US   ____________

 ___ Modern Language NT for OS/2            @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ King  James  Version  for  OS/2          @ $29.95US   ____________
    [Note: King James Version includes Psalms & Proverbs
    Modern Language Version does not.]

Reovery Companion:
 ___ Windows Version                   @ $29.95US   ____________
 ___ OS/2 Version                     @ $29.95US   ____________

Bible Aid:
 ___ King James Version for Windows           @ $29.95US  ____________
 ___ King James for OS/2                 @ $29.95US  ____________

WordWise for Recovery:
 ___ Windows Version                   @ $29.95US  ____________
 ___ OS/2 Version                     @ $29.95US  ____________

                                         $3.00
                            Shipping & Handling  ____________

                          Total Enclosed for Order  ____________

    Special Offer! Order two or more programs at the same time
                Receive them for only $24.95 each!
                  Add $3.00 shipping & handling.

            (Click Here for information on the Recovery Companion)

                (Click Here for information on Bible Aid)

            (Click Here for information on WordWise for Recovery)

Bible and Recovery programs as well as future updates and additions to the
Recovery Bible.
Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover Card, Diners Club, etc. accepted.

     Voice Orders:   1-800-414-4268
              9:00am - 7:00pm EST (-5 GMT)
              [phone] (orders only)
              [phone]

     Mail Orders To: BMT Micro
             PO Box 15016
             Wilmington, NC 28408
             U.S.A.

    Fax Orders: [phone]  24 hours / 7 Days
                [phone]  24 hours / 7 Days

    Online Orders via modem: [phone]  10 lines, all 14.4K
                         [phone]  Direct 28.8K line


     Ordering and general ordering questions:
             Via AOL: bmtmicro
       Via Compuserve: 74031,307
           Via Internet: [e-mail]
                   [e-mail]


Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

     _______________________________________________________________

Country:_______________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________  E-Mail ________________________________


     For credit card payment your name, mailing address, charge card type,
           number, and expiration date are required!

   Circle one: VISA / Master / Discover / American Express / Diners Club

   Name:________________________________________________________

   Credit card number: _____________________________________________

   Expiration date: _________________________________________________

   Authorization signature: ________________________________________


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Compuserve ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you have a Compuserve account you can order direct: GO SWREG

  ID#11659 Recovery Bible for Windows (King James Version)
  ID#11854 Recovery Bible for Windows (Modern Speech Version)
  ID#11660 Recovery Bible for OS/2 (King James Version)
  ID#12498 Recovery Bible for OS/2 (Modern Speech Version)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Recovery Companion ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Recovery Companion is a compilation of Tools, Resources, and Information
for recovering people, pastors
and those who work with individuals in recovery.

Have you ever:
--Wanted to easily look something up in the "Big Book"
  of Alcoholics Anonymous?
--Felt down and couldn't find that special Bible verse?
--Needed the address and phone number for a recovery
  organization and could not find it?
--Desired an intensive 12 Step Bible Study?
--Wished you could remember the title of a recovery
  book, magazine or movie?
--Wanted easy access to a listing of Biblical references
  for each of the 12 Steps?
--Wished to know what the Bible has to say about
  Alcoholism/Addiction, Temptation, Humility, Honesty,
  Amends, Gratitude, Anger, Resentment?

The Recovery Companion is just what you have been looking for.

Features of this powerful computer program include:
 --Biblical References for the 12 Steps
 --Detailed 12 Step Bible Study
 --Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book" -1st 164 pages
   (Complete search capabilities)
 --Quick Reference for Life's Problems
 --Comprehensive search capabilities by word, phrase or
   subject throughout the program.
 --Ability to Print out text
 --Bookmarking features
 --Table of Contents
 --Detailed Manual
 --Complete and unlimited support

    Order Your Recovery Companion Today!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Bible Aid ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Bible Aid is a rich collection of special Bible verses  organized by subject
for easy access and reference.
You will no longer be forced to fumble through your
Bible to find "just the right verse." With the click of a button you will
easily and quickly find the strength and guidance you need from scripture.

Also contains Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (well over 2,500 Bible and
Bible-related proper names and their meanings which you can search.)

Features Include:

 1. Comprehensive search capabilities by word or
  phrase.
 2. Ability to Print out text
 3. Table of Contents
 4. Ability to take your own notes by using Copy to
  your word processor of choice.
 5. Bookmarking features
 6. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
 7. Detailed Manual
 8. Complete and unlimited support
 9. Programmers who care about you!!

This program is available for Windows and OS/2.

       Order your copy of Bible Aid today!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. WordWise for Recovery ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

WordWise for Recovery is the most flexible and expandable Daily Scripture
program available. With over 30 Bible versions to choose from, support for most
major operating systems, and a registration price of just $29.95, we believe
that WordWise is an outstanding program.

A lot of work and thoughtful design has gone into making it an entertaining,
flexible, and valuable part of your software collection. Once installed on your
computer, it remains like a faithful friend, bringing you a message from God's
Word, the Big Book of AA and a recovery message as each day begins. WordWise is
a perpetual daily calendar, and contains enough Scriptures to display a new one
each day for an entire year without repeating. Though the Scriptures will begin
to repeat after one year, each verse will be displayed only once per year, and
the calendar date will always be correct. In addition to giving you daily
Scriptures, WordWise can remind you of your daily Bible readings as you read
through on a one-year plan.

Some of the features of WordWise are:

--Quotes for Recovering People (One for each day of the
  year. No repeats!)
--"Alcoholics Anonymous" Big Book Quotes (Unlike similar
  programs, there are no repeats for an entire year!)
--Over 30 versions of the Bible
--Monthly perpetual calendar which can be advanced or
  regressed indefinitely.
--Pop-up references designed to aid in your Bible study.
--Daily reminders of Through-the-Bible readings.
--Automatic saving of daily Scripture and Recovery Quotes
  to a file for use with word or speech processors.
--A Daily Bible Quiz.
--Ability to assign different fonts to each Bible version.
--Topmost feature which allows WordWise to remain on top
  of all other applications.
--Clipboard functions to capture Bible text.
--Three modes of operation from which to choose.
  (Date, Incremental, or Random)
--Future expandability through the addition of extra modules.
--Access to additional Bible versions as they are released.
--Printed user's manual.

       Order WordWise for Recovery today!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Copyright Notice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

        The Recovery Bible for Windows and
         The Recovery Bible for OS/2 are
         Copyright 1996, by S. O. Brennan
             All rights reserved.

This commercial program cannot be copied without violating International
Copyright Law. Anyone who copies this program in part or in whole without the
express written permission of the author will be prosecuted to the full extent
of the law.

BBS's are asked to delete this program if it appears on your board.

The Twelve Steps used in this computer program are an adaptation of the
original 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This program is not affiliated with the General Services Organization of
Alcoholics Anonymous and should NOT indicate any kind of association or relationship.

The Recovery Bible is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties,
expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no
liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use
of The Recovery Bible.