Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

 Psalm 96

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Psalm 96:7

As I wrapped my study of 1 Corinthians, and I ponder what to study next, my Bible study this morning leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks closely at one verse from David's response to the return of the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem (see also 1 Chronicles 16).  This is certainly a joyous occasion, and David marks the occasion by describing God's strength.  John Piper unpacks what this means by sharing that "[f]irst, by God’s grace, we give attention to God and see that he is strong. We give heed to his strength. Then we give our approval to the greatness of his strength. We give due regard to its worth."  Piper then goes on to describe that this celebration and wonder in God's strength is based in an acknowledgement that we are not God and we do not have his strength.  Piper shares: "[w]e feel a profound fitness in the fact that he is infinitely strong, and we are not. We love the fact that this is so. We do not envy God for his strength. We are not covetous of his power. We are full of joy that all strength is his."  Ultimately, Piper writes how we get to a place where we have this "supremely satisfying experience of not being God, but admiring the Godness of God — the strength of God. There settles over us a peaceful realization that admiration of the infinite is the final, all-satisfying end of all things."  At this point, of course, we avoid any attempt to usurp any of God's strength as our own.  Piper points us to 2 Corinthians 4:7 where Paul writes that any power within us is not from us but from God working in us. 

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 for me...giving me an opportunity to see Your hand in the world and within me and those close to me.  You are amazing!  Thank You Jesus for the grace You pour out on me.  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 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 Lord has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge."

Isaiah 14-18

"The Lord has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge." Isaiah 14:32

I continue with my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 7, Day 1, I examine Isaiah 14:28-32 where we see an oracle in the year "King Ahaz died." Here we see how an old nemesis of Israel - Philistia - falls prey to "smoke" from the north and the oracle indicates that "[God] will kill [Philistia's] root with famine, and your remnant it will slay." The oracle goes on to state: "[w]ail, O gate; cry out, O city; melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you!" My Isaiah commentary* indicates that "[i]n the end all tyrants must succumb to one simple reality: all existence comes from almighty God, for “in him we live and move” (Acts 17:28)." While Philistia suffers God's wrath, we see how God protects the needy and afflicted (Isaiah 14:30, 32). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, YOU are my refuge and strength - regardless of what the world throws at me, I know I have Your comforting arms and You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such protection and loving arms.  My sin is great and it is daily - worry, etc.  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.

*Davis, Andrew M.. Exalting Jesus in Isaiah (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 138). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

2 Samuel 1-5

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. 2 Samuel 5:6-7

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This afternoon, I continue with the story of "David: Giant Problems and Colossal Collapses*".

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado discussing how David hears of the death of both Jonathan, a dear friend, like a brother, and Saul, someone who had been seeking David's death.  Yet David mourns over both, including Saul who is God's anointed.  David could have easily killed Saul at least once but he knew that Saul's was God's anointed.  David is not perfect but in his mercy and compassion for Saul, he is a man after God's heart. Lucado points to David's mourning as a season for David - temporary - and he uses Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 to remind us how there are seasons in our life, including times to mourn, but again these periods are temporary and God helps us heal and move on in our lives.  David does and he ultimately finds his strength in the Lord and he takes Jerusalem and unifies the northern and southern kingdoms under his reign.  He defeats multiple parties and Lucado encourages us to find our strength in the Lord to defeat strongholds we see in our lives.  Lucado points to how God helps us fight "against the odds" and find the "nevertheless" moments where God enables us to rise up against and defeat our foes.

I am reminded of the highlighted verse in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 from a post couple of days ago.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me through seasons of mourning and difficulty and ultimately strengthened me to defeat foes in my life - including difficult fights with temptation and sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me and how You bless me.  I am harsh with others and often put my relationship with You below my earthly desires.  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. 

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Psalm 121, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, and 1 Samuel 17:38-51

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I start the story of "David: Giant Problems and Colossal Collapses*".

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day one starts with Max Lucado discussing how David faced Goliath, how we all face giants in our lives, and how David did not pause in his approach to Goliath.  "Saturated" in God, David "rushed" Goliath cloaked in the confidence that God is able to tackle any foe - and He has - believers know that God has already defeated Satan.  We are encouraged to arm ourselves with supernatural defenses - we are to, as David does, "take captive captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ". 

Lucado also points out how "[i]t is when we are out of options that we are most ready for God's surprises". David's brothers and the Israelites seemed to surely be out of options but they failed to recognize how they did not go to God for strength and power.  I am prone to worry and I remark frequently how this is a powerful sin in my life yet I know how God has given me strength to rely on Him more and more each day to the point where worry and anxiety does not have the power it once had.  It is through a commitment to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ that I am better able to face Satan and what Satan throws at me.  I know Jesus is not yet done with me and I will continue to stumble....but God gives me the strength to get up and continue the fight.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always with me and You give me strength - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many mercies and grace You pour out for me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet my sin continues, harsh words and actions for other - discouraging words.  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.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Exodus 1-3

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Moses: A Glimpse of God's Glory*".

*Title of lesson four from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day two starts with Max Lucado pointing out Moses' resistance to God's call that Moses confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses did not feel up to the task and he did not see how God's power would reign in and through him in the task given him.  Of course with such a tall task, this is understandable.  We are encouraged to compare and contrast Moses' initial reaction with that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago from the Book of Daniel and how they were to be thrown into the furnace unless they renounced their faith in God (they were instead ordered to worship King Nebuchadnezzar) - they did not and God saved them from the fiery ordeal. God eventually demonstrates His power to Moses by turning Moses' walking stick into a snake then back into a walking stick - this same rod is the same one used by God to both confront Pharaoh and part the Red Sea. Lucado wants us to see how we are not to focus on our strength or abilities - but instead on God and His power.  I am reminded of Paul's words.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has strengthened me in my weakest moments and You continue to strengthen me and equip me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues - including worry, etc.  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.

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.... Our God will fight for us!....When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Nehemiah 4-6

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.... Our God will fight for us!....When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 4:10, 20, 6:16

Day 281 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with the book of Nehemiah where Nehemiah, in the face of opposition from Samaria and other neighbors, puts in place a plan to complete the walls of the temple.  Nehemiah's plan includes using half the strength of the laborers to stand guard, while the remaining strength worked on the wall. Although at times God's work faced resistance, Nehemiah knew that God was with them and he encouraged the laborers to continue.  Ultimately, the work is completed.

God does fight for us and nothing can stop God's plan.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who fights for me!  Thank You Jesus - I have experienced many a victory due to Your strength!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues as it will every day - sin of worry, etc.  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 church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. v12-13

My sense is that v13 is more often quoted than v12, yet v12 I believe is equally important because it clarifies and qualifies the basis for the strength found in v13.  Strength is found regardless of circumstances - changing circumstances (health, wealth, etc.) do not result in strength.  Strength is a constant as it comes from God - who does not change and who is always with us.

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Esther 3

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered. v15

This bible overview commentary indicates that Xerxes (also referred to as Ahasuerus) is someone perceived as weak - easily manipulated one can say.  Haman manipulates the king into issuing an edict that the Jews be killed - this chapter chronicles the background for this edict and the king's erratic (MacArthur indicates that even the people of Susa expressed bewilderment in the king's edict - perhaps as having no basis or cause) and weak behavior.  This stands in direct contrast to that of Mordecai who is seen as strong and principled - he would not kneel for Haman. MacArthur questions whether Mordecai's faith motivated him not to kneel, but over time it is evident that both Mordecai and Esther would emerge as strong and principled in their faith - courageous as well.

For us, we should understand that life is turbulent - see also John 16:33.  But we have Jesus as our rock and our faith in Him should rest on His firm foundation.  With Him we can remain strong.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

 

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love is greater than I will ever comprehend and imagine - You are certainly slow to anger and abounding in love.  You are my strength and my rock.  Thank You Jesus for how You helped me through dark valleys - I am grateful!  Yet I am not worth such love.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. 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.

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. v6

There will be days when it seems the world is against you and it can be overwhelming.  David, from his days as a younger man when he slayed Goliath, finds his confidence in the Lord, not in others, and not in things of this world.  

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Psalm 59:17

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21

 

See also post here. 

 

Lord Jesus, help me stay near to You in good times and bad so that when the bad times do come - and they will - I can find my strength in You alone.

 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who strengthens me daily through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and through others where You work in them - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth how You love me - I am broken and my sin continues.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  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 others as You do. 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.  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.

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.

1 Samuel 2

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. v9-10

The Lord blessed Hannah with a son and her response is appropriate - she willingly submits Samuel to the Lord, recognizing that God has great plans for Samuel; and in chapter 2 she praises God for what He has done in this amazing prayer.

I am touched this morning by verse 9-10 because I often rely on my own strength to see myself through difficult situations.  I must recognize that it is through faith alone that we draw strength.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, patience, understanding, compassion, etc. - slow to anger and abounding in love - INDEED!  I am grateful for You God - that You would love me and rescue me - just as I am.  Yet I know I am undeserving.  I am full of worry and harshness for others - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  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.  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 Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. v19

Habakkuk previously asks God to judge both Judah (1:1-4) and the Chaldeans (1:12-17) and God does both and Habbakuk in chapter 3 rejoices with a song of worship. 

The enemy lurks all around us (1 Peter 5:8) and we all need protection from God.  We should all proclaim that He is our strength.  It is only through Him that we can defeat Satan and sin in our lives. We also then have this freedom from sin to serve God in His plan and He will both direct us and protect our path.

 Just as Jesus calls on scripture for protection, we too must "lean not on our own understanding" (Matthew 4, Proverbs 3) but on God.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-4

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God whose justice is perfect and who is slow to anger and abounding in love.  You are my rock and my great encouragement, my hope and my truth.  You are my all in all.  Without You I can do nothing!  Thank You for laying down Your life for me and for being so patient with me...I am not worth such love.  I continue to be selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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. Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.

Psalm 93

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. v4

Strength is an attribute that this desired from a worldly perspective, yet we often overlook the strength of God.  I am reminded of the current sermon series from my church "Jesus is Stronger" - here.

God is able and He wants us to have faith and trust in Him and His ability to overcome all of our fears, concerns, worries, doubts, etc.  When we do this, we are able to accomplish His work via His will for our lives.  We become less and He becomes more.

For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

My Prayer: Lord, there is no doubt that You are stronger...than anything else we can encounter in this world.  You defeated both sin and death and You provide the Holy Spirit, which is the same power that rose You from the grave.  Thank You Jesus for providing Your Spirit to us, for being with us as advocate and counselor.  I am deeply grateful for how You provide not only the Holy Spirit, but Your Word, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ...all to help me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings Jesus because I am weak and easily distracted.  I neglect Your power and fail to draw near to You.  I often seek things of this world before You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 38

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. v9

Lord, I know You want Your children to be completely dependent on You.  For many, including myself, this is difficult.  I believe that I can produce results...yet I must recognize that all of it comes from You.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

See also posts here, here from the OT, and here as well.

And God promises fruit when we abide in Him (John 15:1-8).

Once we recognize where all of our provision comes from, and in the context of our own sin, we MUST come to the conclusion that we are not worthy of such blessings and that we are and SHOULD be completely dependent on Him and through this dependence God once again promises blessings (Matthew 5:3).

God also promises that HIS strength will be on display in OUR weakness.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10.

My Prayer: Lord, what a great God Your are that You produce such fruit not just in me but FOR me, for You desire for me to have life in the full....even though I continue to sin and I am broken.  Thank You Jesus for such blessings and mercy.  Please forgive me for my worry and my harshness with others.  Please do a work in me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. v1-2

Attributes of the Lord are many, including those mentioned in today's verses.  The Lord is glorious and He is strong...and the Lord is Holy.  These are all attributes I desire to demonstrate on behalf of the Lord, allowing Him to shine through me.  This is possible if I deny myself, follow Him, focus my eyes on Jesus, do not conform to the patterns of this world but instead renew my mind through the Word, etc.  By grace and faith...

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 8-10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are strong and holy..and so much more!  I desire to love, trust and serve You because You are my Lord and Savior.  You are so full of grace, mercy and perfect justice.  I have seen all of this in my own life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am deserving of Your justice but not Your grace and mercy...I continue to struggle with anger and impatience.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Demons - Dec 16, 2015
Ephesians 6

The devotion today and through verses below Paul speaks of the darkness that is all around us in the world.  He encourages us to be strong "in the Lord and in His mighty power".

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. v10-18

Paul provides guidance in these verses about HOW to "be strong in the Lord" - faith in God, and the Holy Spirit.  For more specifics, David Platt has provided excellent guidance through a sermon series "Abide" and the core of how to "put on the full armor of God" starts with renewal of the mind in Romans 12:2.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are - You have heard my prayers and delivered...Thank You Jesus!  You have strengthened Lisa and myself.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of how You bless me again and again...You are so full of grace for me yet I am often not full of grace for others, in particular Zach.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others and dispense grace towards them as You do for me.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Please give her a good doctor's appt this morning with an "all-clear" about her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. v13-15

I have held for sometime that selfish desires are symptoms of our sinful nature (in us but not from God - instead from Satan) and that when we focus on renewing our mind (Romans 12) God transforms our hearts, minds, and lives to the extent that we can recognize these symptoms when they occur and be better equipped to prevent sin from taking a serious hold in our lives...this has certainly helped me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God that You provide Your Son, Your Holy Spirit, Your Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ - all so that we can protect ourselves from sin and gain Your protection.  How awesome!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worth such protection - I continue to sin - complaining is my sin today among my many.  Forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me put on the armor of God and defeat sin in my life and in the life of others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. v12-13

I am reminded of Paul's words here also:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Of course, God is also is the author and creator of all things:

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Psalms 24:1-2

and, God conquered the grave as posted here.  God is all we need. He is able.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed able and able beyond my needs and beyond my comprehension.  You are great and Your love and compassion is both wide and deep, and again beyond my comprehension.  You suffered and died for me, knowing everything about me, including my sin.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am weak, selfish, and lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin, turn away from it and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me lean on You for all of my needs and to be content regardless of my circumstances.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.