General

“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!”

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Sorry couldn’t help using that phrase from the movie “A Few good Men.” Many in today’s society have developed a type of thin skin. They get locked into their little world and if anything disrupts it or challenges it is something to be hated and derided.
Many claim they are “tolerant” yet when it comes time to be that way they show themselves to be hypocrites. They wish to live in this perfect world of their own creation. Not caring if they are wrong or hurt others for they are not a part of their little sphere. This goes back to some of my earlier post which I state that the ultimate sin is selfishness. For from being selfish all other sins germinate. I still hold to that believe and it is one of those thing no human can truly loss, for at one time or another you will do something selfish.
It is amazing that when you fully read the Bible you learn in time that over and over God and even Jesus Christ try to show the reader that being unselfish is the purist and best way to look at and live life. This is the truth and most cannot handle it, and that is truly and deeply sad.
Mark 12: 30 – 31 – And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Philippians 2: 3- Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Romans 12: 10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
James 4: 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Matthew 23: 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Misuse of the word “Love”

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There is a big misconception going about that needs to be addressed. In one of my previous post “The hippie Jesus is alive and well but the true Christ is hard to find.” I tried to point out that love is not all happiness and joy and all is right with the world.
First we must remember that in proverbs it states that if a parent truly loves their child they would not spare the rod. I.e. spank them. Yet in today’s society that is something that is evil and taboo. It is amazing how what is right and good is suddenly the opposite. Big sign of troubles coming to this world yet most will just laugh it off and stop reading here just because I worded my sentence that way.
True love from a parent is not easy. They suffer as much as the child when they are forced to punish them, do you think God is any less upset?
When you allow a sin to grow. All those that allow it to grow actually say they hate the world and those they allow to sin. Now I am not saying go out and force people not to sin. That will never happen and then I would be the fanatic some of you already think I am.
A new awakening is now taking place. The world is now drawing the lines between those that will choose God and those that will choose sin. This line is not a straight line as many would assume but it cuts throughout groups that though themselves to be churches and those that have always thought they were not. It cuts across races, creeds and sexes.
What you need to understand is that those that are truly “Loved” by God avoid sin, for they have felt the guilt and discomfort sin brings into their lives. Those that deny God’s love embrace sin and embrace those that embrace sin. Once again the world is returning to black and white, sinner and saint, bad and good. Which side of the line do you stand upon?
If you stand with God and place Him first you have only one choice. Reject the sin and accept God.
Matthew 12: 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

An insight into the Great White Throne Judgment

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There will come a time when all will know and acknowledge that God and His Son Christ are real. Before that happens there will still be this life we live. Many have come to think that this is all there is. Beyond this life is nothing. Even those that count themselves amongst the saved think this. They think that they live this life and sit upon a cloud in heaven doing nothing for eternity. This is a fallacy, but before you get to know what is the true eternity many will have to stand before God. In the verses below you see how God will address certain issues:
Romans 2: 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
He spells out how the judgment will proceed within these verses. A play by play of something that will take perhaps centuries to accomplish. One by one God will call up those before Him and they will partake of His just review of everyone’s lives, if they knew of God or not. He also shows which many that deny Him already acknowledge. That being, that you can do moral and good acts without knowing of God and he will judge you upon your heart, conscience and thoughts and if found just will be given eternal life. The only difference being those that know God will be considered “justified.” What many do not understand that in this day and age most know of God and so are accountable under the law of the Bible and so are not going to be like those that have never heard of God and lived a good life. They will be held accountable to the Bible and will have to overcome the Bible verse Matthew 10:33.
What we can take from this is that there are those that will strife to do right, while there are those that will strife to do evil. These others that do unrighteous acts and are indignant to God shall suffer “tribulation and anguish” for all eternity.
Many today think that Christians hate them when they chose to live a sinful life. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Any true Christian will strife to make you understand that to continue to live in sin will result in an eternal sorrow and sadness for those that chose sin over God. God makes it clear you cannot serve Him and sin, you must either choose the “white” or the “black.” For it truly is black and white, you cannot serve two masters. It is either God or sin, and the latter is something Christians wish no one to have to endure the consequences of.
Isaiah 66:24 – And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

If you learn Leviticus you will learn if you are living in sin.

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Now let me start by saying this. Jesus Christ went to the cross for all humanity. He did so to be the last sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice. Even those that have embraced Christ as their savior have learned that not all sin is washed away even though Christ and His father do not see it does not mean it does not need to be addressed by us. As you grow in your salvation you will willingly cast aside sins that still remain within you. Major sins though if not cast out right away need to be acknowledged and addressed as soon as possible. Why? Because you wish to say that God is first and above all else especially your own desires.
Within the book of Leviticus is the tools given to the Jews after their Exodus from Egypt to allow them to commune and be seen by God. We Christians through the blood of Christ need to acknowledge that these sins exist, if they do, within us and then to pray for Christ to give us His strength to cast it from us. Will it be easy? In some cases yes in other cases no it will be difficult, for if we do not acknowledge the sins Christ died for upon the cross then we deny the fact that He even went to the cross.
So I do find it extremely important to know what sins Christ took upon Himself and suffered for me so that I will do my best to cast that sin from me. On a personal note I wish you to know just how difficult it is to cast some sins away. I have dealt with one sin that first hit me at the age of twelve. It was not until just over two months ago that I finally cast that sin aside and it has no part of me due to the glory of Christ. By the way I am now fifty-five. So for forty-three years I was plagued by a sin over and over until I finally turned it fully over to Christ and I have not looked back upon it once. This is the very thing Jesus is referring to in John 15.
So it is important that you go to the book of Leviticus. Read and especially read those things that are called sins, in particular when they require a blood sacrifice to become clean, for it is Christ own blood that cast this from you. It is extremely important that you also understand, that when you cast off a sin and truly turn from it you will never desire to do that sin ever again. It is of the utmost importance that you understand what I am saying here. Too many have this image just because they have asked Christ into their life that they can continue to live in sin. This is the furthest thing from the truth. You are placing the sin before God and so you are saying you would rather live in the sin then with God. God first, all others second and yourself including your sins last. If you place God first the sin will mean nothing to you.

“Don’t wear black.”

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This is what I told my wife. Why? I told her this because I don’t want her to wear black to my funeral if I should be called to heaven before her. Now again why?
Sure there will be a bit of sorrow but only due to the separation from her, but that is not what we are told and promised. This is one of the things that I see as a misunderstanding that has never truly been addressed within the church. I have yet to see a truly happy and joyous funeral. This is not what I want if I do go before her.
This life is only temporary. This life is not our true goal. This life is not all there is. This is but a proving ground. A trial to see if we are truly worthy to honor and serve the creator of all there is, including us.
To be called to His presence is a time that should be celebrated not mourned over. Now if you do not know for sure where they are going once this life ends then yes by all means mourn and be sorrowful. For you do not know if you will ever see them again, but if you do know that Jesus is your Savior and those that love you are the same then celebrate and rejoice. For it is only a short parting that will go by quickly for the one that has been called before our Lord.
Think of how joyful they are to be standing within the light of God, to be talking to our Savior the Lord Jesus the Christ. Is that not something to want to throw a party about?

The misconception of “politicizing” religion

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There has been fallacy built since the 1960s that has now firmly entrenched itself into those in power within the Body of Christ. To start to breakdown this error we need to look to the First Amendment of the Constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
The government can make no laws in the “establishment” (the act or an instance of establishing.) [making] of a religion.
Neither can the government prohibit (to forbid the action of) the free exercise thereof.
So clearly we can practice our faith and the government cannot interfere with said practice.
Now look at this verse:
Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Now we all concede that mammon is money. Now since money is behind all that happens especially in politics. We cannot serve the desires of politicians and God, but we can influence through our right to vote who we serve. If our masters are the politicians then we should follow what they say and do as they do. But that is not what Christians are called to do. We are called to follow God. Does this mean we should never vote? By all means no. It means the total opposite.
Proverbs 3:6 – In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
So we are directed by God in all our ways which includes politics and He shall tell us who to vote for.
This means we must follow everything that the Bible directs us to do within it. For example:
Matthew 10:33 – But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
So if a group or person denies Jesus then Jesus shall deny them to God. So why would you support a group or person that denies God? There is a group that officially denies God at this time. It is the Democratic Party. https://www.democrats.org/party-platform. Go ahead read it. Show me one time you find the word “God” mentioned.
This fact alone says any that call themselves “Christian” cannot vote for a democrat yet many do and in returning they are denying Christ unto His Father.
Any that argue that Christianity and politics do not belong together is not following the true meaning of the Bible and it purpose to guide all away from sin. How can you be led away from sin when you encourage the removal of God from the ballot box and in essence allow sin to reign over God?
We are told that me must seek out the kingdom of Heaven and righteousness. We are to do this first and foremost in ALL that we do. This includes the ballot box.
Those that say otherwise are falling for the propaganda placed out there by those that have twisted the First Amendment to state that religion has no place in government when it is the total opposite that is true. Government has no place in religion, but that does not mean religion has no place in government. If that were so then why even bother to open the senate and congress with prayer? Also Senators and Congressmen quote from the Bible all the time while they are on the floor.
Now if you do not like that the two parties are corrupt then per the Bible and if we are to seek out the kingdom of God and to be righteous then should we not remove those that do not seek the kingdom of God and are not righteous? The answer is a resounding YES! So again we come back to placing religion into politics.
Simply put per the First Amendment the government cannot make a religion but a religion has the right to change the government since the government cannot interfere in the practices of any religion which includes addressing issues that fall within the political domain. So in turn can influence change within the political arena for the good of all especially when seeking the kingdom of God and righteousness.
As a final note for those post. In Romans 12 it states that each part of the Body of Christ has its own tasks and duties to perform. I fully support the endeavors and actions of those other with their own tasks throughout the body. Many though have forgot this little bit of scripture and think that the main duty of the Body is to add more to it. As I stated above this is all fine and good and I support it, but they must remember that there are other parts of the Body with their own tasks assigned unto them by Christ. Below find the verses of this book:
Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
One group that is forgot is the “exhorter” to exhort means: 1. to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently. 2. to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.
Many forget that it is required and is a legitimate part of the Body of Christ for someone to do this task. For it is important as the last verse states not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome it with good.

Who is blame for the state of the United States? The answer will surprise most.

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It is important to state that all need and should be free to make their own choices in life. What is also important is that these freedoms are not forced upon others who do not wish to participate. Yet there are groups within the United States that desire to do this very thing. Unfortunately people have not been taught correctly for decades. There are lifestyles that are called sins and as I stated in the first sentence all have the freedom and the right to choose to live in sin if they so desire.
Those in the Christian community fear one thing. They fear that they will be forced against their beliefs to say that sinning is good when by the Bibles definition it is bad. Only one group can take blame for this issue coming to this point and that is the Christian community itself. For too long the silence as been deafening from the pulpits and from church leadership. It is something that all within Christendom must come to acknowledge and accept. They have forgotten the great commandment to love and honor God first, then all others, then themselves. Too many that call themselves “Christian” think solely of themselves and what they can get from the world they now live within. This is not Christianity, but hypocrisy. They are acting the part of “Christians,” but in reality they are self-absorbed spoiled children that care only for one thing, themselves. This is not Christianity. It is this behavior that has been growing since the late 1960s that has encroached its way throughout the American church and it runs rampant in most churches especially in large congregations.
What is needed is for the Church to give itself a self-exam. All that call themselves “Christian” need to re-evaluate where they stand with God and if in reality they truly do honor and serve God.
What to look for in how you live your life if you are a “Christian:”

1 Place God First (Matthew 22:37). This means to say things like: “Does this please God?” “Would Jesus do this?” In everything you do, everything, and if the answer is no then you did not place God first.
2 Love all others as you would love yourself (Matthew 22:39)
3 Place all others before yourself (Philippians 2:3)
4 Teach the entire Bible (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16)
5 Teach your children (Proverbs 22:6)
6 Punish your child when they do wrong (Proverbs 13:24) “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
7 Follow the commandments (John 14:15)
8 Follow the laws that man places before you (Titus 3:1). This is the one that most ignored. Like for example speeding when you drive.
If you fail in most of these then you need to start doing some serious thinking for placing God first is something that must happen every day and when you do that you can love those about and place them first. You will learn the Bible and desire to teach others about it, especially your children and you will know that it is best to punish them when they do wrong for in the end they will not do it again and so follow the laws of man and of God.
If more had taught this and lived this we would have never reached where we are today. The good news is that we are one step closer to Christ return. Read 2 Peter chapter 2 to understand.

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: The straw that broke the camel’s back

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I had mentioned in another post an encounter I had with someone that had twisted the Bible to suite his own image of the world and thus his believe in God. What I had left out was that it was someone that attended the church I had called home for over three years. I also left out that one of the church leaders was a part of the conversation and had witnessed the same misuse of the Bible. I mentioned this later to the church leader and he gave me an excuse for the man’s misuse of the Bible. I must also add that he did nothing in the conversation to support my endeavor to help correct this man’s misstep as I approached it with love wishing to help the man grow in his faith in the correct manner. Today I read Galatians 1:7-10 and I felt compelled to write this post. Here are the verses:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Later that week in another venue the same man that had misquoted the Bible I assume, feeling empowered but the lack of support I was given by the church leadership, found it necessary to belittle and degrade me in another issue. Since I could not count on those in church leadership to support me I decided to pray and think upon what it is I should do. I took three days to think and pray upon it and reached my point where I felt God wanted me to go. I contacted the church leader and informed him that I would be resigning my membership for my church home I had loved so much.
Now why did I do this? It was not the church I had come to three years ago. Somewhere along the lines it become more important to appease then to confront. It became more important to entertain then to aspire to reach God.
I was married for the last time in this church and I so wanted to be there and help the church achieve new and wondrous goals, but that is not the church I had come to three years ago. I do not even know what to say.

Confrontation – A key element of the New Testament – yet today the ultimate sin

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The definition of the “Confrontation” is as follows – per Oxford Dictionary: 1. The bringing of persons face to face; esp. for examination and eliciting of the truth. 2. The action of bringing face to face, or together, for comparison.
Many times Christ Himself had confrontations with the Pharisees, scribes and even the rich. Another prime example is why Paul left Titus in Crete (see the book of Titus). This is the New Testament. This is the Bible. To promote change not only in the person but the world about them. Yet today when you try and show the Bible to someone and it is conflicting with their image of the world then you are a “judge” and you are “judging someone.”
Judge – the closest that fits is – 3. a person qualified to pass a critical judgment: a good judge of horses.
Judging – 8. to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically: You can’t judge a book by its cover. 9. to decide or settle authoritatively; adjudge: The censor judged the book obscene and forbade its sale. 10. to infer, think, or hold as an opinion; conclude about or assess: He judged her to be correct.
But many people are not “judging” people they are confronting them “for examination and eliciting of the truth.” And what is the “Truth?” That is the Bible.
People when made to feel uncomfortable when confronted with the truth have stated running to this word “judging” as a scapegoat tool to shut down the conversation, because they fear to hear the facts. They fear to stand within the confrontation, for they fear that they will be shown to be the one lacking in truth.
The Bible spells out clearly what is good and what is bad. It is found within the entire book that is called the Bible. Yet when someone points out the truth found within it that someone is now evil, now a pariah for even suggesting that someone is not living per the Bible.
Yet the Bible itself said that there will be those given the task to evangelize, to pastor, to teach.
An ”evangelist” is: 1. a Protestant minister or layperson who serves as an itinerant or special preacher, especially a revivalist. 2. a preacher of the gospel.
A “pastor” is: 1. a minister or priest in charge of a church. 2. a person having spiritual care of a number of persons.
And a “teacher” is: 1. a person who teaches or instructs, especially as a profession; instructor.
I myself have been called by God to be a teacher of the Bible and I know without a doubt that the Bible is full of confrontations. Being human no one is always right, but those that stick to having the Bible as a foundation of where they are speaking from is more correct then wrong. If you do not like what someone says see if what they say is Biblically correct before you throw out the scapegoat word, and confront them where they are confronting you as an equal.

Jesus in the Temple an important debate

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Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes in the temple. It is important to understand the exchange here. Key elements are shown that all that call themselves “Christian” should see without being told what is transpires here. Can you see the importance?

John 8:31 (KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.