Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

 John 12:20-26

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:25-26

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:20-26,   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God has a purpose and a plan for His Son Jesus and the Son is obedient to the plan, including the timing.  V23 reveals Jesus' obedience to the plan and the timing.  The plan itself is for Jesus to be glorified and on this Good Friday (April 3, 2026) this includes Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. The world does not see death as glory, so Jesus has to clarify v23 and vv24-26 do that by sharing that for those who believe in Him, their lives belong to Jesus and they must reflect the Light of the Son of God and must bring glory to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). V24 first includes a warning a warning that if we don't die to self (see also Luke 9:23, Galatians 5:24), we remain alone - implying separation from God, including eternal damnation. But, if we do die to self and live for Christ, we bear much fruit for Him.  We must lose and hate our earthly life but live for Him as citizens of Heaven and His Kingdom - and we have this promise of eternal life. We must follow the example of Jesus losing His life and gaining glory for Himself...and we will be honored by the Father.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People may not express it as the Greeks did in v20 but all have needs and seek what only Jesus can provide - victory from sin and death in this world (forgiveness) and for eternity - salvation.  We should connect people to Jesus just as Philip and Andrew did with the Greeks in vv20-23.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid living for ourselves.  We should claim the promises of how faith and dying to self bears fruit for Him, provides eternal life, and honor from the Father.  We should follow the example of Philip and Andrew to connect others to Jesus.  We should follow Jesus - where ever He tells us to go.  We must live for Him.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  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.

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.

John 8:21-8:30

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. John 8:29

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 8:21-8:30, where Jesus continues to teach in the temple in Jerusalem after the Feast of Booths, and now He describes how He is from Heaven and from the Father, and this gives Him the authority to judge and condemn those who do not believe in Him.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus once again refers to soon His to be ascension to Heaven following His death on the cross and that if you don't believe in Him (as the Jews do not) they will "die in [their] sin) - v21.  In response to the Jews who think He is going to kill Himself (v22), Jesus shares that He is from above - Heaven - clarifying where He is going (to be seated at the right hand of God), and that He is not of this world (v23).  Jesus repeats the promise that if you don't believe in Him, You will die in your sins (v24) - emphasizing an important Gospel (negative) promise and warning.  In response to the Jews' continued confusion about what Jesus is saying (vv25, 27) and their questioning, Jesus shares that His message has been consistent "from the beginning" (v25).  He then goes on to share that He has much to say about the Jews and much to judge (v26) and what He has declared about them He learned from the Father, who is He is true. In v28, Jesus reinforces the point that upon His resurrection, they will know that He is from the Father and the Father has granted Him authority to share what He has been sharing (and for these words to be true). Vv29-30 pivots to a hopeful message how the Father is always with Jesus and how Jesus seeks to please the Father, and how upon Jesus saying these things "many believed in Him."             
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Jewish leaders and Pharisees don't really want to earnestly learn about Jesus, as their questions are motivated by anger and spite as they seek to do harm to Jesus (arrest and kill).  This questioning is more to trap Jesus into heresy or sin so that the Jews have a basis to condemn Jesus - which of course we know they will never have. We should strive to understand people's questions and have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 22-23). 
• 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 judging others as this is for God alone to do.  Claim the promise that Jesus is who He says is and that He is Lord and Savior.  Follow Jesus' example to please the Father. Obey the command to bring glory to Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - 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.

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

 John 5:19-24

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:23b-24

I continue my study of John, and today, I move to start unpacking Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18).  This response continues through the end of the chapter (last verse is v47), so I am going to tackle this in chunks starting with vv19-24 - here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus speaks with authority as the Son of God, sent by the Father - v19 uses language from scripture elsewhere "truly, truly" as He emphasizes His authority on the matter.  He not only speaks with authority, He acts with authority doing what the Father tells Him to do, as the Father does the same and because the Father "loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing" (v20). Both Father and Son raise the dead and give life, and the Son gives life "to whom He will" (v21).  This is key because we know that some believe in Jesus and some do not - faith is a gift from God, not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8), and He alone saves. Vv22-23 share how the authority to judge has been delegated from the Father to the Son and that we are then called to honor the Son based on this authority.  V24 gives us an important promise repeated most famously in John 3:16 that whoever hears the gospel, believes that Jesus was sent by God and believes God (affirms authority of both God the Father and the Son) has eternal life and will not be condemned (implied also that such a person - believer - will have rebirth or regeneration).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: While not explicitly stated, we can infer in the text that those who do not believe in Jesus and His authority as Lord of All (and Savior) will suffer eternal condemnation.         
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not honoring God or not believing in Him, follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father (dying on the cross, etc.), claim the promise of ("greater works") life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven based on belief in Him.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and gives life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You thank You!  Of course 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 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 as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

Mark 12:18-27

And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” Mark 12:26-27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:18-27.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the third (of three) division (vv26-27):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Divine Power to Do What God Promises." 
• "Jesus defeats the Sadducees on their own turf, the books of Moses. The doctrine of resurrection finds Old Testament support in places like Job 19:25-27; Psalm 16:9-11; and Daniel 12:2. Jesus in grace meets the Sadducees where they are and takes them to the “burning bush” story found in Exodus 3:6. There God speaks to Moses in the present tense: “I am . . . the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Though they died physically, they are alive spiritually right now!" 
• "Further, being their God implies covenant, and it is inconceivable that the eternal God does not maintain an eternal covenant with His people, which is exactly what we find in the covenant God made first with Abraham (Genesis 12) and later with David (2 Samuel 7)."  
• The commentary then encourages us to dig deeper into the glory of Heaven which, while not possible for our earthly minds to fully comprehend, will truly be amazing!  The commentary then shares seventeen observations on Heaven, providing the below table: 

 

 

 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are amazing!  You created the Heavens and the Earth and You hold all of this in Your hands and reign with love and compassion and perfect justice!  You reached down into the pit to save me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings nor 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. 

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark 10:13-16

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:15-16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:13-16.  Excerpts from the commentary's final section which explores the question of "what happens to those who die in infancy, die young, or never reach an age of moral discernment (often called the “age of accountability”)" - whether these children go to heaven:

• It is acknowledged that debate over this is not settled and often highly esteemed theologians differ including RC Sproul (negative), Charles Spurgeon (affirmative), and Billy Graham (affirmative).
• The author of my commentary - Danny Akin - offers seven points that guides him to his position which is also affirmative.  
•  "First, the grace, goodness, and mercy of God would support the position." See 1 John 4:8, 1 Timothy 2:4, and Matthew 18:14.
• "Second, when the baby boy who was born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:15-18), David did two significant things. He confessed his confidence that he would see the child again, and he comforted his wife Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:23-24). David must have been confident that his little son was with God." 
• "Third, in James 4:17, the Bible says, “So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.” The Bible is clear that we are all born with a sin nature as a result of being in Adam (Romans 5:12), called “original sin.” However, the Scriptures make a distinction between original sin and actual sins. Infants are incapable of actual sins because they are incapable of moral discernment. Original sin is why infants die physically. Actual sins committed with knowledge and understanding are why people die spiritually and eternally if they die without Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12-13)."  
• "Fourth, Jesus affirmed that the kingdom of God belonged to little children (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)."  
• "Fifth, Scripture affirms that the number of saved souls is great (Revelation 7:9)."  
• "Sixth, some in Scripture are said to be chosen or sanctified from the womb (1 Samuel 1:8–2:21; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:15). This affirms the salvation of some infants and refutes the view that only baptized babies are assured of heaven. 
• "Seventh, Deuteronomy 1:35-39 is helpful. After the children of Israel rebelled against God in the wilderness, God sentenced that generation to die in the wilderness. But God specifically exempted young children and infants from this sentence and explained, '[y]our little children, whom you said would be plunder, your sons who don’t know good from evil, will enter there.' This passage bears directly on the issue of infant salvation and implies that the accomplished work of Christ has removed the stain of original sin from those who die in infancy. Knowing neither good nor evil, these children are incapable of committing sins in the body—are not yet moral agents—and die secure in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
• "Anyone who is saved is saved because of the grace of God, the saving work of Jesus Christ, and the undeserved and unmerited regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Like all who have ever lived, except for Jesus, infants need to be saved. Only Jesus can take away their sin, and if they are saved, it is because of His sovereign grace and abounding mercy....For those incapable of willful acts of sin, we can rest assured God will, indeed, do right. Precious little ones are the objects of His saving mercy and grace."

As a parent of a special needs child (17 yrs old), I am greatly comforted by the study this morning.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who saves.  Thank You for the comforting words spoken through my commentary this morning.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings 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. 

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

Mark 6:14-29

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. Mark 6:26-28

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:14-29. Excerpts from third (of three) division (vv21-29):

• The title of the first division per the commentary: "Expect That Some Will Attempt to Destroy You." 
• Herod's oath is fulfilled to Herodias' daughter (and Herod's daughter in law and niece) as her dancing so pleases Herod and his intoxicated guests that there is no way Herod can save face and back out of the oath to give her anything (up to half his kingdom - v23) after the young woman after seeking counsel from her mother asks for John the Baptist's head. Herod is sad but lacks conviction and is fearful of John - so John is executed.   
• "Herod feared displeasing his wife and losing face with man more than he feared God. Pride took him down, just like it did Satan and Adam. Herodias feared and hated John because he was right and she knew it. John was a nuisance to her conscience and a cancer to her reputation. He had to go. His head on a platter would solve all her problems, or at least she thought so."  
• "John the Baptist was declared by Jesus to be the last and greatest prophet."  See also Matthew 14:13, Luke 13:32, and 23:8-9 for Jesus' response to hearing about John's death, His thoughts about Herod, and a description of Herod meeting after Jesus is arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.   
• "Death cannot silence a life. Murdering someone will not put an end to their testimony. Remember the saying, “Even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith” (Hebrews 11:4)."
• "John lost his head, but Herod and Herodias lost their souls. In the end there is no question who won and who lost. Bad things do happen to good people. But great things happen to godly people who put it all on the line, even their head on a platter, for the truth of God’s Word and the glory of His name!"

Charlie Kirk said he wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith and indeed he will be, among many of his other Godly attributes. Lifting up Charlie's family in prayer. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saves - regardless of what the world does to us and our earthly bodies, we know that You are saving a place for us in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily 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 and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:1-6

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on a commentary-assisted review of 4:2, the commentary's second division for the text.  Title and excerpts from the commentary for this division:

• The Rising of the Sun and the Vindication for God’s People: "When the Lord comes, He will bring perfect, righteous judgment with Him similar to the rising of the sun. His appearance will be both a blessing and a curse."  The use of "sun of righteousness" in this verse "is the only occurrence of in the entire Bible.  It conveys images of the brilliant morning sun projecting rays and providing warmth and comfort to those privileged to find solace under it. Malachi reveals that the sun of righteousness will rise also “with healing in its wings.” In Malachi this sun is not an inanimate object, but a person. It is God Himself. It is the manifest presence of God....Malachi states the sun of righteousness will appear with healing in His garments; that is, His arrival will be associated with the healing and restoring of His people."  This healing is both physical and spiritual - and the prophecy in this verse refers to Christ. 
  

All of humanity needs both a physical and spiritual healing.  We all decay and ultimately die.  We also all sin and scripture shares how the wage of sin is death (see Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, and Romans 6:23).  Those who fear God, confess their sin and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be saved (Romans 10:10). Those who do not fear and accept God as Savior will be thrown into the lake of fire and condemned eternally. It is certainly not pleasant to know that there are some who will be condemned eternally - therefore God tells us in Jude 22-23 "to have mercy on those who doubt, snatching them from the fire."  At the same time, believers can take great comfort in knowing how God will heal both physically and spiritually.  My 16 year old son Dustin has Down Syndrome, is partially verbal, and on the lower end of function.  I pray with him before he goes to bed and I tell him that I love him, as does his mom and his big brother.  Most importantly, I tell him that Jesus loves him, more than I or anyone else ever will.  While I used to worry about whether I would see Dustin in Heaven, based on readings (including here and here) over the past several years, I am confident that I will and this of course means Dustin will not have any cognitive disabilities (see Revelation 21:4) and our time together (eternity) in Heaven will be a joyous one indeed where we will gather with other friends and loved ones who will also be saved.  This is certainly worthy of leaping for joy like calves from the stall.   

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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 - particularly for those who fear You and accept You as Savior.  Thank You Jesus for this grace and compassion, and for saving me - and for saving Dustin!  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 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.

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

 Malachi 3:13-18

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.  “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:16-18

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 3:13-18.  Here, Malachi records God's message to Israel portrayed as God's response to two of His own rhetorical questions where He rightly judges Israel for "speaking against Him" and for doubting "the profit of keeping His charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of Hosts" in v13-15.  V15 describes how God repeats back the thoughts among the faithful who don't see God's justice, even among the nation of Israel itself as they see "the arrogant blessed," and "evildoers [who] prosper [despite how] they put God to the test and...escape."  The good news in the text, starting in v16, is how "those who feared the Lord spoke with one another," and the implication is that at least some of them confessed and repented of their sin as "the Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed His name."  In v17, God makes another of His awesome promises for those who fear the Lord that "they shall be mine, [and] spare[d from eternal damnation]." The text for today ends with an ominous prophecy and warning where God shares another promise that there will be a day - Judgement Day - when all will be held accountable for their deeds, the wicked will be held condemned and the righteous will be spared (based on this book of remembrance).  See also this post from DesiringGod.com.  Believers of today should take note of how we can easily be rightly accused of the same sins of Israel from the book of Malachi.  Confess and repent of these sins and turn towards the Lord.  Non-believers should also take note and seek a God full of grace and mercy who saves - Jesus Christ.  Come to Him and be saved!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are a righteous God whose justice is perfect and who's grace and compassion is incredible.  I am undeserving of my salvation, nor any of the blessings You pour out for me - the grace and mercies that never stop.  Thank You Jesus!  But, 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.     

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9:28

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

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 read reason #47: To Rescue Us from Final Judgment.  The devotion today reminds believers of what awaits those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ - eternal damnation and destruction "away from the presence of the Lord."  It is a sobering and frightful reality and one that should animate non-believers to turn to Him and believers to live with the end in mind - as we never know when we will be called home or when Jesus returns for a second time (see Matthew 25:13).  Piper refers us to Hebrews 10:27, 12:28-29, Matthew 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, and Revelation 14:10-11 for text that gives us a glimpse into this sobering reality.  Even for believers, Piper shares that "[u]ntil we feel some measure of dread about God’s future wrath, we will probably not grasp the sweetness with which the early church savored the saving work of Christ in the future" - see 1 Thessalonians 1:10.  Piper continues, writing that "Jesus Christ, and he alone, can save us from the wrath to come. Without him, we will be swept away forever."  Believers are encouraged to take comfort in knowing that Christ will be our shield and for this we should "exult in [this] future grace."  Amen!

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My Prayer:  Father God, thank You for my salvation!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and 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 will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;and I will cut off from this place...those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Zephaniah 1:4-6

“I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;and I will cut off from this place...those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.” Zephaniah 1:4,6

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, I move on and do an unassisted review of vv4-6. My first two posts on Zephaniah, covering vv1-3, describe how God is angry at Judah and His wrath and judgement is forthcoming.  In vv4-6, we understand why.  Judah has pursued idol worship, have turned their back on the Lord and no longer seek Him.  This is a message for all of humanity, for believers and non-believers alike.  For non-believers, You are urged to turn to God, to repent of Your sin and be saved to experience the joy and grace Jesus Christ.  For believers, we are urged to go to God daily for his mercies that are new every morning and never cease (see Lamentations 3:22-23).  We must not only be saved but we must continue to abide in Him that saves and develop a daily, lifelong personal relationship with Jesus.  If we don't, we must look long and hard at how we are spending our time, perhaps pursuing earthly comforts and activities and not God. 

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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 - thank You for being my personal Lord and Savior.  I am not deserving of such amazing grace that is new every morning and never ceases.  My sin continue...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.

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah[..."]

Jeremiah 31

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah[..."] Jeremiah 31:31

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 17.  Here, John Piper describes what he refers to in the devotion title The Greatest Salvation Imaginable.  Believers have this salvation through Jesus, who gave His life for us, and was promised, as Piper shares, 500 years prior to His birth through the prophet Jeremiah.  This prophecy from Jeremiah also describes how - as Piper puts it - "[Jesus] would powerfully move into our lives and write his will on our hearts so that we are not constrained from outside, but are willing from inside, to love him and trust him and follow him.  That would be the greatest salvation imaginable — if God should offer us the greatest Reality in the universe to enjoy and then move in us to know that Reality in such a way that we could enjoy it with the greatest freedom and the greatest pleasure possible. That would be a Christmas gift worth singing about." Christ is able to do this by cleansing us of our sin so that we could be holy in the eyes of God.  Piper refers us to Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 2:24, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:1, Acts 10:43, and Jeremiah 31:34 to remind us of what Christ's "once for all" sacrifice did for us.  Piper concludes the devotion by stating that with this salvation for believers, "God is now free, in his justice, to lavish us with all the unspeakably great new covenant promises. He gives us Christ, the greatest Reality in the universe, for our enjoyment. And he writes his own will — his own heart — on our hearts so that we can love Christ and trust Christ and follow Christ from the inside out, with freedom and joy."  Amen - praise for the greatest salvation - and gift - of all time!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me, and who gives me salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  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.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.]

Titus 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.] Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 5, the focus is Titus 2:11-13 and scripture memorization for this text.

• For the grace of God has appeared: God is real and His presence manifests through God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Word...and in all things (Colossians 1:16-17).  This is of course true for believers but it is also true for non-believers as Romans 1:20 states that even for those who deny God, they clearly perceive Him "[and] his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature...ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
• God brings salvation for all people: Believers must profess and share God's Word with everyone per the command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).  John Piper shares that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was perfect except it lacked a public presentation of the gospel to all nations - this is the role of believers - to go into the all corners of the world and to share.  God brings salvation through His people - the saints. 
  
• This grace also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives as we battle the dark forces of sin in this world and seek to bring the Good News into this world.
• While believers seek to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, we are waiting for our blessed hope - the second coming of Jesus Christ as He promises to return at the end of times. This blessed hope helps us endure through whatever is thrown at us - we know that this life is temporary and God is saving a place for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You give me my salvation that trains me and You give me a blessed hope - thank You!  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.   

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 Romans 5

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:9-11

For my daily study, I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at the ultimate end (or prize) of the gospel that we receive as believers.  John Piper summarizes this end or prize by sharing:  "[t]he end of the gospel is “we rejoice in God.” The highest, fullest, deepest, sweetest good of the gospel is God himself, enjoyed by his redeemed people. God in Christ became the price (Romans 5:6–8), and God in Christ became the prize (Romans 5:11)."  Piper unpacks how this comes about: he starts by pointing to verse 9 where we are saved from the wrath of God.  He continues by describing how this is not the "highest, best, fullest, most satisfying prize of the gospel."  It gets better because we are "saved by his life" in verse 10. It then gets even better - all the way to the best in verse 11 as Piper shares that "[m]ore than that, we also rejoice in God[.]"  Justified = saved from His wrath > reconciled = saved by His life > reconciliation = rejoice in God.  Believers must stand in awe of God Himself in what we have received - God Himself!  The most amazing wonderful gift in the world!  My thoughts turn immediately to David from Psalm 16 where he writes that God is His portion (Bayleaf Baptist Church sermon - verse ) - referencing the Levites who did not get land of their own in the promised land but instead received land in the tribes of others but more importantly were able to get closer to God than anyone through their service and priestly duties. In the same vain, believers are able to get close to God - we should rejoice at this!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of rejoicing over as You saved me Your wrath, I am now reconciled to You, and through this reconciliation I have You!  Thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of this.  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 you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter eighteen - The Horror of Human Sin, the Hope of Human Splendor.  Here, John Piper digs into Paul's writings from scripture that describe how he had not just an utterly realistic and negative view of human sinfulness, but at the same time a "more exalted view of human destiny than most people can dream*."  Piper first starts with Paul's view of human sinfulness where he points us first to Ephesians 2:1-3 where no one - regardless of wealth, morality, or spirituality - escapes the "universal indictment of human nature*."  Piper then moves to how it is not ignorance that puts all of us in this condition but hardness of heart - pointing to Ephesians 4:18.  Piper implores us to see how this hardness of heart may "may take the form of throwing God’s law away and becoming debauched in glaring lawlessness (see Romans 1:28– 32), or in using God’s law to bolster my religious and moral pride (see Romans 2:1–5).*"  Piper then moves to how Paul teaches us that the "world’s fallenness is part of a plan to reverse the world’s misery. Through Adam, all humanity became sinful, and all creation fell under the curse of death and a thousand sorrows. But at the very point where Paul introduces Adam this way, he portrays Christ as the second Adam. In Christ a new humanity— all who receive his grace— would be rescued from condemnation and inherit eternal life*."  Piper points us to Romans 5:17 and Romans 8:19-21 where through Christ we have a Savior and eternal life where those who believe in Christ as their Savior will escape the horrible consequences of a fallen world.

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me salvation and hope to escape both my fallen nature and the consequences - 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.  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 God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter nine - My Friend with the Best News during Cancer.  Here, John Piper shares the intimate details of his battle with prostrate cancer and how he learned to lean on Paul's words from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10.  Piper chains together the logic that gave him great hope though this trial.  He starts by describing how God is in control (Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:11).  He then moves to the text specifically in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 where it says "God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation."  Salvation is then clarified - by looking at the remainder of the text - of course as being eternal and not saved necessarily from cancer itself.  Piper then answers a key question - how did he know that his cancer was not God's punishment for his sins?  He responds by saying "because Christ already died for my sins. Cancer or no cancer, death or life, Paul told me that I was going to “obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for [you].*"  We are referred to John 3:36, Romans 8:1, 3 for additional support. Salvation is then further clarified by describing it as living eternally with Jesus as "that I will live forever, since the One I live with cannot die*" (see also Romans 6:9). The encouragement afforded in this promise is emphasized by Piper as we "get to live forever with the One who loved me enough to die for me*".  As he wraps the chapter, Piper points us to 1 Thessalonians 5:8 where such salvation is described as a "helmet" protecting us from harm and offering hope. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has died for our sins taking the wrath that we deserve and giving us salvation instead - something we don't deserve.  Thank You for this hope and protection.  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.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God is proud of believers.  John Piper writes this devotion with a genuine desire to please God with his life and to make Him proud.  He writes how this is possible based on reasons in Hebrews 11, specifically in 11:16 where it is explicit that - referring to those in the hall of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 - God is not ashamed to be called their God. The first reason in the text is that God is proud because he has prepared for them a city.  Piper emphasizes here that God has done something for believers - He has prepared and saved a place for them in Heaven.  The second reason emphasized by Piper how God is proud is because of believers desire - that they desire a better country - Heaven.  We are urged by Piper to desire Heaven more so than anything else - more than anything the world could ever offer.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful this morning for my salvation - that You have prepared and saved a place in Heaven for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor for the place You are saving for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn 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 go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

Daniel 12

But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13

I resume my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 12 and my unaided observations of the text.  Here, Daniel's vision from the previous chapter continues, yet pivots to describe prophecy of what is almost certain to be the end of times - although the description here in Daniel 12 focuses on end times for Israel.  "Your people" is referred to twice in v1 as the angel describes the prophecy to Daniel - reinforcing this position.  There is a reference to "the book" which is also referred to in Revelation. The faithful of Israel who have died will awaken to Heaven, while others will awaken to eternal damnation.  We see a vision of the One True God in v8-13 and in his vision, God speaks to Daniel. Once again, we can comfort in knowing that if we persevere to the end, enduring in our faith and trust in God, we can rest assured in our salvation knowing He is saving a place for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God as You are abounding in love and mercy and You offer salvation for those who repent and acknowledge You as their Lord and Savior.  Thank You for this amazing gift that You offer.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, and John Piper discusses the "horrible destiny" that awaits those who fail to submit to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  This is certainly a somber devotion, but nonetheless important to consider so that believers persist in their effort to "work out" their salvation (Philippians 2:12-13) and to save others (Jude 1:23).  John Piper refers to a number of texts to underscore his exhortation that believers "[f]lee [eternal damnation], brothers and sisters. Flee this with all your might. And let us save as many as we can!" For those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, of course persist and endure, and take hope in how in Heaven, there will be "[n]o more tears, no more pain, no more depression, no more sorrow, no more death, [and] no more sin" (Revelation 21:4).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good!  So good!  You grace me with my salvation and You never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace - amazing indeed!  My sin is great and it continues.  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. 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 this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Isaiah 64-66

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 1 (of 5) of week 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 1 focuses on initial observations from the entire text.  God's final judgement and end times are core themes for these chapters, so we of course see eternal damnation for the unrepentant - those whom God gave over to their sins.  We also see hope for the remnant - the elect and those whom God chose to not only hear the gospel, but also to receive the gospel and to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  God describes this remnant in Isaiah 65:8-9:

Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there. Isaiah 65:8-9

This remnant has hope as described in 65:19

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. Isaiah 65:19

God also describes how we are to respond to His Word - by humbly submitting to Him and living in fear of Him as He reigns and holds our life in His hands. See Isaiah 66:2.

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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 - You saved me.  I am undeserving of my salvation - I know it is only by Your grace that I am saved and that my faith is a gift.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.