Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Philippians 1:12-18 

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Philippians 1:18

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 1:12-18 where Paul describes how his imprisonment has advanced the gospel while warning against using the gospel for "selfish ambition." Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V18: Regardless of whether the Word is preached for His glory or for selfish ambition, God is at work and He is in control.  There is a mystery here but we can rest in how He reigns.  This is not the only circumstance where God uses broken sinful and broken people to advance His plan as part of the broad arc of His redemption story.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv12-13: God uses all of our circumstances for good and His glory - see also Romans 8:28.  In this case, Paul describes how his imprisonment has not stopped efforts to proclaim the gospel.  V14: Paul's bold efforts to share the gospel while imprisoned encourage and motivate other believers to to be bold in their efforts to proclaim the gospel "without fear."  Vv15-17: While some believers use Paul's imprisonment for good and out of love, some do it "from envy and rivalry" and for "selfish ambition..."thinking to afflict" Paul.  Believers should be aware, teachers in particular, that their role is to preach the Word for His good and glory - not for any personal gain, although one is blessed using God-given gifts for His glory.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid using selfish ambition to proclaim the gospel.  Claim the promise that God is at work in all circumstances - including our own suffering and trials.  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You always working in my life, even in suffering, trials, and difficulties.  I know that I can never be separated from Your love!  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You also for my salvation and for the mercies and blessings You pour out for me every day.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

Now no one at the table knew why [Jesus] said this to [Judas].

 John 13:21-30

Now no one at the table knew why [Jesus] said this to [Judas]. John 13:28

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 13:21-30, where Jesus shares how Judas will betray Him.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus loves all of His creation and it troubles Him when someone does not believe, follow Him, and surrender his life to Him be saved. V21 shares (emphasizing His authority via the words "[t]ruly, truly" at the same time) how Jesus was troubled as He prophecies that one of the disciples will betray Him.  When asked by one of the disciples who will betray Him, Jesus does not specifically name Judas as His betrayer, but in vv26-27, He gives them an obvious clue tipping off the disciples that His betrayer will be Judas.  Then, in v27, the text shares that "Satan entered into [Judas]", and Jesus tells Judas "[w]hat you are going to do, do quickly."  Jesus does not stop Judas from what He was going to do and He allows or orchestrates Satan influence and actions.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples at first do not know who will betray Jesus, but even though Jesus helps them understand that it will be Judas, their understanding of how this betrayal should work is incomplete - see vv28-29.  Believers should know that God is in everything, including allowing sin and brokenness' existence.  Judas was part of God's plan - but not in a positive way.  This is the mystery of God - why some are saved and why some are not - all in control by God (Ephesians 2:8).  What is not a mystery is that (1) God uses sinful and broken people as part of His plan, (2) every single one of us, believer or not, are sinful and broken, and (3) God knows all and we can trust that what He says will come to pass - He is faithful and He is Truth.  We don't know how God works (Isaiah 55:8) but we do know He is control of all details and nothing can stop His promises or plan.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid sinful influences (and Satan entering you) in your life by understanding sin (read scripture).  Claim the promise that God is in everything, His Word is Truth, He is faithful, and what He says will come to pass.  Follow the example of Jesus to save as many as possible (all the disciples except Judas) and use a troubled spirit to urge you into action (Jude 22-23). Know and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd (vs Satan who is real). 

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for saving me - I know this is not of my own doing.  Thank You for also protecting me from sinful influences.  I am not deserving of how You save and provide refuge.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

 John 11:1-4

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4

I continue my study of John and today I focus on  John 11:1-4, where we see the beginning of the story of Lazarus, whom we know from the larger story arc is ill and dies, and that Jesus raises him from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In response to Mary and Martha seeking His help to heal - their brother - Lazarus who is ill (v3), Jesus shares that "[t]his illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (v4)[.]  Jesus is all knowing and His ways are perfect.  He knows that Lazarus will die but that He will raise Lazarus from the dead.  Since the Fall, when sin entered the world, as a result, we experience brokenness in many forms including sickness, pain, suffering, death, etc.  God is in control (Colossians 1:15-17) and this is all part of God's plan and He uses all of this for His purpose and glory (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  God wants us to bring our cares and concerns to Him - to cast our worries and cares at His feet (1 Peter 5:7).              
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We learn in v2 that Mary loves Jesus because she anointed Jesus' feet with expensive ointment (see also Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8).  None of us want to experience sickness, pain, suffering, death, etc., nor do we want any of our loved ones to experience these things.  So of course Mary and Martha naturally seek the help of Jesus because they have seen Him heal others and now they seek His help for their brother.        
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that Jesus knows everything about us, loves us, heals us (now or for eternity), and saves us.  Also claim the promise that God is in control, perfect and that all that we experience serves to bring Him glory - even brokenness.  Follow Mary and Martha's initial example to lay our cares and concerns at Jesus' feet. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God, Creator of all, in all, perfect in all ways, and You love us and want to save as many as possible.  Thank You Jesus for listening to our cries and for saving us.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-34

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:28-34:, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: We see Jesus understanding scripture - and following both keys aspects of the greatest commandments to love God with all of your mind (v30) and understanding (v30) God gives You, and to love others (vv31, 33).  Jesus understands that all of the ten commands (Exodus 20) "depend on" on these two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:40).  Jesus is also obedient - perfectly.  He not only ultimately follows God's will to die on the cross, but He also fulfilled all prophecy to build a church (through His ministry described here in Mark and elsewhere) to share the gospel to all corners of the earth throughout all redemptive history.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: We see at least one of the scribes understanding God's will - given this understanding from God - that God does not want "whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" as empty rituals.  The ceremonial law (vs moral law) goes away with Jesus.  Jesus seeks for us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).  Building on this command, Jesus seeks for us - as an overflowing expression of His love for us and ours for Him - to bring glory to God in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).  In v34, the one scribe questioning Jesus "not far from the kingdom of God" - meaning perhaps moving closer to being an ally of Jesus or believing in Him.  Yet going forward Jesus' crucifixion is not far off because they cannot trap Jesus into blasphemy (no more questions to be asked), but the Jewish leaders still want to destroy Jesus so they proceed with condemnation and murder of an innocent man.  Broken sinful people (the scribes, Jewish elders, etc.) are used by God to be part of His plan.  This includes us and others both unwillingly and unwittingly.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Love God - with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength - and love others.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are good, true, and perfect. Thank You for the blessing of Your Word and for my salvation.  I am not deserving of either.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as Your Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark 3:7-21

He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Mark 3:16-19

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:13-19, which is the text for the second division (of three) per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's second division: 

• "This group of men came from a variety of different backgrounds. They had different passions, interests, and agendas. But the thing they have in common was that Jesus called them out, committed Himself to invest in them, and used them to change the world. Likewise, we must call out those we wish to invest in as we continue to make disciples of Jesus today."
• "The Bible is brutally honest. It notes successes and failures. It has integrity in its reporting. One example of the ugliness of fallen humanity is Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. In every list of the apostles he is listed last. In every list his betrayal is noted."
• "Judas was chosen by our Lord to be with Him (3:14). He did not worm his way in, and he would serve well for a while. He gave evidence of loyalty. He even served as treasurer (John 12:4-6), though he was dishonest in his assignment. All of this is to remind us that if you live long enough and serve long enough you will be disappointed by people whom you love and who you thought loved you."  

We should of course recognize that all of the apostles were ordinary, broken, and sinful people - all humans are.  Jesus uses the fallibility and weakness of humanity to demonstrate His power (see 2 Corinthians 12:10) - it must be clear that His will is always done and it is His will and power. The appointment of Judas highlights how Jesus uses the brokenness and sin of others as part of His will - this of course works in both ways where God hardens and softens hearts as part of His design and will.  See Romans 9:18.  We must also recognize that all churches are imperfect and as such sin exists inside the church - however, we should let this distract us from the mission of the gospel and scripture provides guidance about how to deal with sin inside the church.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Father God!  I am not deserving of the grace and mercy You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[W]henever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

Mark 3:7-21

[W]henever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. Mark 3:11-12

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 3:7-21, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations from the text using the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus does not want to be known as just someone who performs signs and wonders - miracles.  He wants it to be clear that He is the One prophesied about in the Old Testament....the incarnate Son of God.  Once again we experience the Messianic Secret.  Jesus is sovereign over demons.  Jesus calls believers to specific roles - in this case the first twelve apostles.  Judas is appointed - even though Judas betrays Jesus, Judas' sin is used for good (see also Genesis 50:20) as Jesus' arrest and crucifixion is required for Jesus to rise again, defeating sin and death.        
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There will always be people who seek something from God - more than salvation.  They are drawn to Him for what they expect Jesus can do for them not because we all sin and are in need of salvation.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey)?: We should come to Jesus in humility, not with expectations that He will do something for us - we must acknowledge that God's will and purposes reign - not our own.  We of course should avoid betraying Jesus - instead we should please, honor and glorify God as this is our purpose. When we are called to a specific role we should follow Jesus' call to do His will.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - laying down Your live for me, knowing everything about me, including my sin, yet loving me first and saving me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and for my salvation. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[H]e preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 Mark 1:1-8

[H]e preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  This morning, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:4-8, the second division for Mark 1:1-8 - the commentary's title for this division is We Can Trust God to Send His Preachers.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• "John was greatly esteemed in the eyes of our Savior. John was the Elijah to come, the one who would announce the coming of the Messiah. He was truly at a turning point in redemptive history. While John prepared the way for the Messiah, he rightly understood his role in God’s plan of redemption: 'He must increase, but I must decrease' (John 3:30, emphasis added). His ministry was not about himself; it was rightly centered on Jesus Christ."
• We are referred to John 10:41-42 where it shares that the people who came to John said '[he] did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.'"
• "They came from everywhere to hear him, even Jerusalem! Rich and poor. Rural and urban. They responded to John’s preaching by repenting (turning from sin), confessing (acknowledging their sin), and being baptized (an outward sign of humility giving evidence of the inward change of their hearts). He called people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah."
• John is further described as an unexpected prophet, reminding us that unlike the world, God chooses those with a heart-inclined towards God and humble such that God can work through them..."Not only does he appear unusual by today’s standards; he was unusual by the standards of his own day. He had no credentials, had not studied in a formal school with Pharisees or rabbis, and wore funny clothes and ate weird food!" He was humble in all ways, including in appearance, in home (the wilderness), in diet, and in message (drawing attention not to himself but to the One greater than he.  John was ultimately imprisoned and beheaded but He faithfully fulfilled His call from God to prepare the way for Jesus and to offer salvation. 

Humility is one of the most important and prominent themes - to be humble - in the Bible. John is one of many throughout scripture that answer God's call to make much of God and to do His will and not their own.  Noah is one such example - God saved Noah and his family from the flood and they became the basis for all succeeding generations. Noah and all of the other humble servants in scripture were broken and sinful but no matter, God uses these ordinary people and works both in and through them to accomplish His will.  We have many such examples in our time.  Believers must submit to God and allow Him to work in and through us.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has equipped me to serve You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me and equip me in my roles as father, husband, worker, etc.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[I]n this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus...both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Acts 4:27-28

 [I]n this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus...both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. Acts 4:27-28

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I complete the devotional by reading reason #50: To Show That the Worst Evil Is Meant by God for Good.  The devotion opens by sharing that "the most profound thing...about suffering and evil...is that...Christ entered into it and turned it into good....The heart of the Bible is not an explanation of where evil came from, but a demonstration of how God enters into it and turns it for the very opposite—everlasting righteousness and joy."  Scripture examples abound, as Piper points us to Genesis 50:20, and 1 Samuel 8:19, 12:19, where we read about how Joseph's suffering was meant by God for good, and how Israel sought an earthly king (Israel felt God was insufficient), was given one (Saul), recognized the err of their ways, but despite all of this we know that through the line David the King of Kings arrives. Piper writes that the "most astonishing thing" about evil and suffering is the method preordained and used by God to bring about victory over evil and suffering.  Jesus' death itself was evil, brutal, violent, and induced unimaginable suffering.  Yet Piper reminds us how scripture shares how "God was in it."  See Acts 2:23, 4:27-28.  Piper then shares that "[t]here is no greater sin than to hate and kill the Son of God. There was no greater suffering nor any greater innocence than the suffering and innocence of Christ. Yet God was in it all."  See Isaiah 53:10 and 5.  The devotion closes with Piper sharing that "God meant to show the world that there is no sin and no evil too great that God cannot bring from it everlasting righteousness and joy. The very suffering that we caused became the hope of our salvation."  Rejoice that we have a God that is able to use all of our circumstances, including evil - for good.  Recognize that God's thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8) are not our own and we can trust Him as our Lord and Savior. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who reigns over all - including suffering and evil.  You defeated suffering, sin and evil through Your death on the cross.  You equip us to handle what suffering and evil we experience in this life and in Heaven there is more suffering, sin or evil - what a glorious place this will be!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

Zechariah 6:1-15

“And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Zechariah 6:15

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 6:1-15, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 5:1-6:15 (5:1-4, 5-11, 6:1-15).  Here Zechariah's visions from the Lord continue as he has a vision of four chariots coming out from mountains of bronze, and these chariots are being led by four horses of different colors - all traveling to the four winds of heaven.  Their purpose was to patrol the earth - suggesting protection for Israel and God's people.  God's Spirit is at rest in the north country.  As the vision continues, the Lord calls for specific exiles - Heldai (mentioned once in scripture - 1 Chronicles 27:15, during the period when Solomon is charged to build the first temple), Tobijah (also mentioned once in scripture - 1 Chronicles 17:8 during the reign of Jehoshaphat when the Book of the Law was taken throughout the land for instruction of the people), and Jedaiah (who is mentioned not just in 1 Chronicles, but also in Ezra and Nehemiah - which focus on the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem by God's people who have returned from exile) to return from exile to make a crown and set it upon Joshua (same Joshua from Haggai and earlier chapters in Zechariah).  Joshua is once again anointed as special in his role to lead the temple reconstruction effort and God's people - although once again we should be reminded that he was not a particularly extraordinary man but used by God nonetheless.  Joshua will sit on the throne.  God's hand in the reconstruction effort will be undeniable - see v15.  Believers do not deny that God exists, is real and reigns over all, and that He sent His Son sent to seek and save the lost, and that His Son Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all humanity so that we can have forgiveness of sins now and eternal life. Yet many doubted and denied God during the time of the temple reconstruction and many still do.  Similar to when the temple reconstruction took place, believers are to be a light such that it is undeniable that God exists and reigns, etc. We exist to glorify God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - giving me hope in my daily battle with sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Amazing grace indeed!  I am not deserving of such hope.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Zechariah 4:11-14

Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:11-14

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 4:11-14, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 4:1-14 (4:1-7, 8-10, 11-14).  The commentary provides the following title for this division: God’s Spirit Uses the Unlikeliest People.  It then shares that, "[w]hile the identity of these two men is not explicitly mentioned in this text, the context strongly indicates they must be Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest (Barker, “Zechariah,” 631). Zerubbabel, a member of the line of David, embodies the political leadership of Judah. Joshua the High Priest, whom we met chapter 3 and will meet again in chapter 6, personifies the spiritual leadership of God’s people."  The commentary then pivots to describe both Zerubbabel and Joshua is unlikely candidates to be chosen as "anointed."  Consistent with my previous post, the commentary shares that this is the point of the gospel is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things in this case to rebuild the temple which had been destroyed by Babylonia. The commentary points to other ordinary men in scripture through whom God accomplished great things including Shamgar (Judges 3:31) single-handedly delivered Israel from the Philistines: "[h]e won a great victory by killing 600 Philistines with nothing more than an oxgoad, a stick sharpened at one end to drive along slow-moving oxen."  The commentary then concludes by emphasizing that we should be encouraged by this text to see how God, not through our own strength or capabilities, but through our weaknesses and frailties, accomplishes great things through our daily lives which we should surrender to Him for direction and guidance. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - saving me and blessing me unimaginably!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You made me one of Your elect - I am broken and sinful - yet You made me one of Your elect and use me for Your glory - amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  Again I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

P.S.  I "cheated" today by not doing an unassisted review (no commentary) of the text.  I immediately struggled with the two anointed in the text and who they were really wanted to better understand this and leaned on my commentary.

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:14-15

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.  Haggai 1:14-15

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:14-15, which the commentary outlines these verses as both the the third and final subdivision of 1:13-15.  The commentary title for this subdivision: The Lord Stirs the Spirits of the Leaders and the People to Encourage Them and Equip Them to Obey.  Here we get a glimpse of how God works as he "stirred up the spirit" of the governor, the high priest, and the remnant of the people.  If we surrender to God, God is not only with us (v13), but He is in us and directing our thoughts and ways.  Romans 12:2 is instructive here for how we are called to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" and how we "may discern what is the will of God." It is then God who brings about our obedience to Him - see also Romans 1:5. Excerpts from the commentary for this subdivision:

• Here the commentary focuses on leadership - the governor and the high priest - and how the influence of leadership works among the people.  God equips, enables and works through leadership - even though all leadership is prone to sin as we all are.  God places earthly authorities in our lives - see also Romans 13:1. Leaders should recognize their role and surrender their own hearts to God...and the people will follow - see also 1 Corinthians 11:1. 
  
• Heart condition is key and it is the Lord that works in our hearts. Leadership should recognize that heart condition is what drives change and action. 
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has placed Godly leaders in my life to direct me to You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of You stirred up the spirits and hearts of people who lead me who in turn lead me to You. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of these blessings nor my salvation or any other blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:12-16

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series - picking up with 1 Timothy 1:12-16, Part 4 with the video entitled Why Did God Allow Paul to Become a Persecutor?  The focus of this video is vv15-16.

Excerpts from the video: 

• We should trust that Jesus came into the world to save sinners - saved from condemnation and the wrath of God; see also John 3:17-36, Titus 3:7 (guilty unless justified), 2 Timothy 4:8 (salvation instead of losing access to God's Kingdom), 2 Timothy 2:10 (salvation instead of loss of glory), 2 Timothy 1:10
  
• Paul received mercy so that others can see (including throughout redemptive history) the dramatic turnabout in his life, have no question that this is a Godly or supernatural act, and also receive mercy; note how Paul describes himself as the "foremost" of sinners
• Paul is allowed to become a persecutor (even though God set Paul apart before he was born - see also Galatians 1:15) then saved so that no one would despair of being saved given this dramatic turnabout
• John Piper shares how this text should give hope to those whose sin leaves them in so much despair so as to believe they are beyond salvation; even Paul as being the foremost of sinners is saved - so can You!  
  

 Surrender and believe as Jesus saves!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me, giving me hope during times of despair.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the hope You give me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

Galatians 1

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Galatians 1:15a (NLT)

As I continue to ponder what to study next, my Bible study this morning once again leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today is entitled "The Sweet Designs of God."  The devotions looks at Paul's life as persecutor of Christians, then as a "God-chosen, soon-to-be-made-Christian missionary" (arguably the greatest of these in history).  John Piper starts by referring us to Galatians 1:15 and how God designed Paul's life from the very beginning (as He does with all life) and how Paul was "an already-chosen, but not-yet-called, instrument of God."  Of course, Piper also refers us to Paul's conversion in Acts 22, including key excerpts where he was called by God on the road to Damascus (vv6-7), and how God's direction for Paul's life as a missionary was a non-negotiable sovereign act of God (v10). Piper then highlights that God could have called Paul sooner but instead describes how God did not, and instead allowed, used, and redeemed Paul's sins as part of a broader plan.  Piper shares a rhetorical question which he immediately answers: "Do we have any idea what the plan for those sins might have been? Yes, we do. They were permitted for you and me — for all who fear that they might have sinned themselves out of grace."  Piper's answer refers us to 1 Timothy 1:13, 16.  Piper concludes by sharing how those who believe are too far from God's salvation due to their own hardness and sins, should have hope...hope that only comes from Jesus.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me, giving me hope and mercies that are new every morning and that never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  The commentary* provide three (3) divisions for the text:

1.  God Calls the Unlikely (1:26): Here, the commentary emphasizes how God seldom calls the intelligent, influential and important of this world to Himself.  God wants it to be clear to the world that He is more intelligent, influential, and important than any other being in the universe and that His glory does not need anyone or anything.  God uses the most unlikely of those in the world to show that He is able to do anything through those He calls.  These are ordinary, humble people who surrender their live to Jesus. 
   
2.  God Chooses the Unimpressive (1:27-29): Counted as the unimpressive, the commentary shares how God chooses the foolish, the weak, the insignificant, the despised, and the "nobodies" of this world to do His work to bring glory to Himself and others to Him. The commentary refers us to Deuteronomy 7:7 where it is described how God chose Israel - an insignificant and weak nation - as His own and the foundation of His church. Additional examples from scripture provided by the commentary* include David ("a shepherd boy named David whom he made a king"), Amos ("an uneducated farmer and tender of sycamore trees named Amos whom he made a prophet"), and Anna ("a prophetess and who testified to the redemption of Jerusalem when she saw the baby Jesus (Luke 2:26-38)....All of them are insignificant to the world but not to God."
   
3.  God Changes the Unworthy (1:30-31): The commentary* reminds believers that "every good thing we have comes to us from God through his Son the Lord Jesus Christ." It shares that "wisdom delivers us from sin's perspective, righteousness delivers us from sin's penalty,  sanctification delivers us from sin's power, redemption delivers us from sin's presence, and boasting in the Lord delivers us from sin's pride."
   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is able to do it all because You paid it all - for me and for anyone who calls upon Your Name.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and other.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. As Paul closes this first chapter of 1 Corinthians, he builds on verses 18-25 where he contrasts worldly wisdom to God's wisdom, and shares how:

1. believers should remain humble as God called us not because of who we are (attributes, etc.) or what we have done (accomplishments) but out of His grace alone
2. God calls and uses the lowly, weak and foolish according to worldly standards so that what is done by God it will be clear to whom should get the glory - God alone
3. If any are to boast, boasting (praise!) should be about God

Paul concludes the chapter - verse 31 - by referring us to text originally found in Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

Avoid arrogance - remain humble.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen Your hand in my life to accomplish what I am unable to do on my own and You alone deserve the praise, honor and glory!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You work in my heart and life - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God does not waste any of our efforts in His Name that are spent in what we may think are flailing efforts that don't seem to be going anywhere.  I can think of many ways in which I think I am flailing - modeling God for my 20 year old son who is not a believer and hoping I can find teachable moments to share Christ with Him; telling my 15 year old Down Syndrome son that Jesus loves him before he goes to bed - hoping that even with his intellectual disability he can understand the love and grace of Christ.  Piper shares a convicting story of how a devotion from Richard Wurmbrand caused him to see how his moments seemed like flailing but were not as God does not waste any efforts made in His Name.  This is one of the great juxtapositions of how God works - for example, God's strength is greatest in our weakness.  In Wurmbrand's devotion we see how God gives clarity of thought, focus, and communication to the feeblest of those in these abilities.  I am also drawn to 1 Corinthians 9:26, were Paul reminds us that if our aim is broadly on Christ, even though it may seem like aimless movements - they are not.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - and You work in all things and use my efforts in Your Name for Your glory.  Thank You Jesus for working in my seemingly aimless efforts and for using my brokenness.  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus, and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Genesis 35, 37, 38, 43-44, 46, 49

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.  He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?  The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:8-10

Today, in light of how my church is studying the life of Joseph in Genesis, I am drawn to look more closely at Judah, one of Joseph's brothers, as it is Judah, not Joseph, from whom Jesus descends (see Matthew 1).  Similar to Rahab - see Joshua 2 - whom we know was a prostitute, and not even an Israelite, God redeems in Judah a sinful and dysfunctional life to be part of a broader purpose.  Rahab is remembered in Hebrews 11 - aka the hall of faith."  Interestingly, Rahab fails to get the ink Judah does - which begs the question if both are equally sinful, and God redeems both lives for part of a broader purpose - the incarnation of Jesus, what more can we learn from scripture about Judah, as scripture dedicates much more text vs Rahab. 

Judah is first mentioned, albeit briefly, in Genesis 35 as one of twelve sons of Jacob from Rachel, Leah, Bilpah (Rachel's servant), and Zilpah (Leah's servant).  Judah is born of Leah.  We next see Judah and his brothers plotting to kill Joseph in Genesis 37, but in verse 26-27 Judah (like his older brother Reuben in verse 21-22) has second thoughts and proposes to his brothers that they "sell him to the Ishmaelites...[a]nd his brothers listened to him." We next see Judah in Genesis 38, where one might think to oneself we are taking a detour from Joseph's story.  In Genesis 38, we see how Jacob and Rachel's deceptive lives are passed on to Jacob's son's, in particular Judah who marries a Canaanite.  One of Judah's son's Er marries Tamar and she deceives Judah into sleeping with her - the deception and dysfunction continues.   However, we know from Matthew 1 that Perez (from Judah and Tamar) is in the line of Jesus, so we can be encouraged how God redeems sin and dysfunction for His glory. See also this commentary. 

We then see Judah next in Genesis 43, where Joseph's brothers have gone to Egypt seen Joseph (but Joseph has not identified himself to them) and returned to Jacob with food as the land was experiencing famine.  Joseph instructed them that if they were to return they must bring their youngest brother - Benjamin.  Although Jacob does not want to see Benjamin go, he relents and Joseph's brothers return to Egypt, with Benjamin, in an effort to secure more food. Upon their return they are successful in securing more grain, but upon leaving, Joseph, in act of deception himself, plants a silver cup on Benjamin's sack and of course Joseph's men find out and Joseph is indignant and Judah offers himself to stay in Benjamin's place.  Judah's impassioned plea for Benjamin (and for his father) in Genesis 44 ultimately leads Joseph to reconcile with his brothers.  Ultimately, in Genesis 49, we see before he dies, Jacob blesses his sons, including Judah, as Jacob prophecies how Judah's line will reign over Israel.  See also this commentary about Judah's transformation and how God redeems Judah's sin and dysfunctional life.

The story of Judah is an important component of scripture and we should examine every aspect of it for truth and application (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good!  All of scripture is perfect and worthy of study as it provides incredible encouragement for how You use broken and sinful lives like mine.  I am not deserving of how You redeem and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 11:28-40, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text: 

III. Surprising Faith in the Covenant-Keeping God (11:28-31): Here, the commentary reminds believers of the faith of Israel in crossing the Red Sea, that God would hold back the waters allowing them to cross on dry land while drowning the following Egyptian army.  We are also reminded of the faith of Israel in how they followed God's battle plan in Joshua 6 where they are instructed to march around the walls of Jericho.  The commentary also highlights the text where it discusses Rahab's faith from the Jericho story and how, although she was a prostitute and not an Israelite, "[s]he was motivated by faith. Rahab trusted in the God of Israel not only to fulfill his promise to his people but also to protect her from the destruction of Jericho. In a time of danger, she identified herself with the people of Yahweh and believed his promises, even though she was not an Israelite."

IV. Final Examples of Faith (11:32-40): The commentary then pivots to what it describes as "flawed lives marked by remarkable faith" in the concluding verses of chapter 11 - the "hall of faith."  All described in the text are highlighted by the commentary as sinning greatly, yet hailed by their faith regardless.  This includes Gideon (who demanded signs from God and led Israel to sin - Judges 6, 8), Samson (who was sexually promiscuous and broke his covenant with God - Judges 13-16), Jephthah (who vowed to sacrifice his daughter Judges 11, 34-40), and David.  Also highlighted and described in the commentary are the women who received back their dead (v35), as the commentary points to the work of both Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17:17-23, 2 Kings 4:18-36). 

The commentary pauses on the final verses of chapter 11 to share - regarding verses 39-40 - that those mentioned in the "hall of faith" are commended because although they "only had preliminary glimpses of God’s wondrous fulfillment of his promises," they still believed and had faith. It also comments on v40 how "[a]part from the new covenant, there is no hope of perfect, unmitigated fellowship with God on the last day."

Believers, endure in your faith and model those in the "hall of faith" as we have a better possession waiting for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me my faith, the Holy Spirit, my church, Your Word, my brothers and sisters in Christ - all of which support me in my faith.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I pause my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to come back to my study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This week, we move to Ephesians 3 - with a specific focus on v1-7. As I read the entire chapter this morning, my first thought from v1-7 is how Paul emphasizes how God blesses him - Paul's humility is striking as Paul emphasizes how none of how God blessed him was of his own doing:

• grace given to him for Ephesus and Gentiles -v2, 7
  
• mystery of Christ revealed to him v4-6
• how Paul was made a minister of the gospel v7
  

A second thing that strikes me this morning is how Paul reminds us that he is in prison on behalf of the Gentiles - v1 - and how ironic this is.  Paul was of course killing Christians (the Jews who believed and were converted), and God redeems Paul for his sin and uses Paul to expand the gospel beyond the Jews - the very group Paul was seeking to keep pure!  In our earthly bodies we may not fully appreciate God's plans for our lives but we can be certain that God is able to take broken sinful people (that He created by the way) and use Him for His purpose. God's plans was to take His message - the Good News of Jesus Christ - to all the nations, and Paul was an instrumental vessel to deliver this message. 

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My Prayer: Lordn Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is able to redeem all of my life and use it for Your glory - incredible!  Thank You Jesus for the blessing of redemption, salvation, sanctification, justification, election, glorification, etc. I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.

Proverbs 30-31

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28

I continue my study of Proverbs with week 10 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 30-31:9.  My focus for today is questions #7-9 from my workbook.  These three questions examine (1) paradoxes in scripture (Proverbs 30:24-28, 1 Samuel 16:6-13, Matthew 16:25, Luke 1:46-55, Acts 9:1-16, Philippians 2:5-11); (2) how "foreign" women (those not of faith) lure people of God away from Him towards other/lesser gods and idol worship (Proverbs 31:2-9, 1 Kings 11:1-8); and (3) how God created alcohol and strong drink but warns us about over indulgence (Proverbs 31:4-7, Ecclesiastes 3:9-13, 1 Timothy 4:1-5).

In particular, question #8 (second one for today) strikes a chord with respect to the paradoxes in the Bible and how God's ways are contrary to how the world often views things, including how God looks at our heart vs outward appearances and external behavior, how He uses ordinary and people of low stature to do remarkable and supernatural things, how God himself humbled himself (taking on human form) - denying Himself and how we are expected to do the same - to gain life, and how God previously used one of the believers biggest enemies (Saul) and transformed him into one of believers greatest servants (Paul).  

We should all be encouraged by how God works!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and how You work is amazing - that You do such remarkable things through ordinary and humble people is awesome - a huge encouragement!  Thank You Jesus for this encouragement.  I am not deserving of how You bless and encourage in these ways.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.