Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

 Colossians 1:24-2:5

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. Colossians 1:24-26

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 1:24-2:5, where Paul moves from describing the preeminence of Christ to sharing the purpose of his ministry work.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V25: Paul's ministry is stewardship of both the Word and spiritual gifts given him from God to share and teach the Word.  Vv25-26: God's Word is made fully known through Christ and revealed to believers, implying that some will not see the gospel (not be saved) as believers do.  Vv2:2-3: Christ is the source of "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - see also Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V14: Paul starts by sharing the first of his purposes of his ministry - that (according to interpretation by John Piper) his sufferings represent an extension of Christ's sufferings for those who were unable to personally witness His sufferings on the cross.  Vv25-27: Paul continues by sharing that his suffering furthers the effort to make the Gospel fully known to the Gentiles - that they comprehend and appreciate the riches of Christ glory.  V28: Paul then moves to further define what is meant by fully known and he does so by sharing that those who know and accept Jesus mature in Christ. Discipleship is key - we are called to not to just know Christ but to grow in Christ. V29: Paul emphasizes that he toils and struggles for this end....and Christ works powerfully in him to equip him.  This same equipping power is within all believers - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. V2:1: Paul loves (and lays down his life in a manner similar to Christ) those whom he has not met at Laodicea - we are to love other believers as God loves us - see also John 13:34-35. Vv2:2: Paul seeks to encourage believers to appreciate that they are "knit together in love," and that they mature so that they comprehend the "full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery."  V2:4: Paul seeks these things so that believers may defend against false teaching. 
• 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 sinful influences that distract us and pollute God's Word. Claim the promise that Christ is the source of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - know and accept Him!  Follow Paul's example to allow sacrifice and suffering to extend the suffering of Christ to allow God's strength to shine through your weakness.  Know and mature in Christ.   

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

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:19-30 

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. Philippians 1:27-28

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 1:19-30 where Paul shares how he is torn whether to die and go to Heaven to be with Christ, or live and serve others in his ministry.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V19: The Holy Spirit is our helper - see John 14:26 - and seals/guarantees our salvation or deliverance from the sting of sin and death as Christ has already won this battle.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V19 - prayers of others are effective to aid us in our time of need - see also James 5:16b. V20: We exist to glorify God and to bring Him all praise, honor and glory. Vv20-21: We should be courageous and live boldly for Him because whether we live or die, we can never be separated from His love and He is saving a place for us in Heaven. Vv22-26: Knowledge of God, prayers, and the Holy Spirit will renew our mind (see also Romans 12:2) and convict our hearts with His will for our lives as Paul expresses confidence that "[he] know[s] that [he] will remain and continue with [the church of Philippi], for [their] progress and joy in the faith, so that in [him] [they] may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of [his] coming to [them] again."  Vv27-28: Believers are called to be "worthy of the gospel of Christ,"  implying that we must deliver value or bear fruit.  Examples provided by Paul of bearing fruit include church unity and loving God and others (being a light) despite persecution or disagreements inside the church.  Whatever suffering we experience is for His sake so that Christ can be seen in us as we gain His strength in our weakness - see also 2 Corinthians 12:9.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that with suffering God's grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.  Follow the example of Paul who embraced His imprisonment and suffering to advance the gospel.  Know and trust God to have Him renew your mind to understand His will for your life when torn about what to do as Paul was. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You demonstrating Your power in my weakness and for renewing my mind to better understand Your will for my life.  You are knowledge and wisdom and truth.  Thank You also for the assurance of my salvation, and for the mercies and blessings You pour out for me every day.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself."

Mark 15:21-32

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Mark 15:31

I continue my study of Mark, focusing on Mark 15:21-32.  

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: v21 - it appears that Jesus was beaten so severely and scourged so harshly that Simon of Cyrene must help carry the cross where Jesus will be crucified; v21 - Jesus is offered wine with myrrh (one of its uses is as as an analgesic) but He refuses - suggesting that He did not want to "dull" the pain or otherwise not completely accept the will of the Father which was for Him to be the final sacrifice for all sin; vv23, 25 - the soldiers crucified Jesus and fulfilled prophecy from Psalm 22:18 (of David) which describes David's agony as Saul hunts him down - this Psalm more broadly mirrors many aspects of the gospel accounts of Jesus' crucifixion; v24, 26, 29-32 - Jesus is mocked, taunted, derided, and reviled by those crucifying Him, including the soldiers and the chief priests with the scribes, even by those who passed by; v32 - the two robbers crucified with Jesus also reviled Jesus.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: v31 - the chief priests with the scribes all but admit that Jesus has saving power and that He "saved others," yet their envy drives them to murder Him.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Envy is a destructive sin that we should avoid - do not covet is one of the Ten Commandments. We should see that Jesus IS King but that His Kingdom is eternal.  He is King of Kings. We should endure suffering as Jesus did and allow others to see how God works through our suffering to give us strength to endure. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - thank You for saving me while still hostile and an enemy to You.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor of the mercies You pour out for me daily that never cease.  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus - for impatience, anger, etc.  Help me turn from and overcome such 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 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, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Malachi 2:17-3:5

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Malachi 3:1-3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 2:17-3:5. The commentary emphasizes the main idea is one where God's people question Him whether He is a God of justice as they perceive His delight in wickedness (3:17).  God of course, in the same verse, shares how He is annoyed and frustrated by such a perception.  The commentary then shares how he will send His messenger (Christ) to "purify the priesthood and judge Israel."  Here are excerpts from the following divisions provided for the text:

• Israel Accuses God of Injustice for Allowing the Wicked to Prosper (2:17): "Basically, the people are becoming impatient with the rampant immorality and the political corruption in Israel. They say, in essence, “God, why are you making the wicked prosper? Do you find joy in their transgressions? Where is your justice?"  Of course, believers should understand that God alone is judge and His justice both perfect and in His time (see also Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35). Believers should also be careful in accusing God of lacking justice because we all sin and the wages of sin are death so Israel would have been justifiably wiped out if God was not a God of grace and love and patience with Israel's questioning.    
  
• God Defends His Justice, Promising Vindication through His Appointed Messenger (3:1): Christ is described as God's Messenger: "So, who is the approaching “Messenger of the covenant?” He is the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, God incarnate. Jesus’ entry into the temple precincts during the week of His passion is the fulfillment of this prophecy. John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord by summoning the people of Israel to repentance. With the scene set, God, in the form of man, enters His temple and evaluates His people."  The text alludes to Christ's judgement of how in the temple He judged the money-changers in the temple (see also Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-47, John 2:14-16).  
  
• God’s Promised Vindication Begins with the Purification of Israel’s Priestly Leadership (3:2-3): God's people are molded into His image, often through trials and suffering - see also Hebrews 12:5-6, 11, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  Although Malachi's messages was intended primarily for the priesthood, we as believers are also urged to examine our own lives for sin and to assess our spiritual condition. The commentary shares: "praise God for purging us through suffering. The goal of God is to conform us into the image of His Son. It is not to make us happy. It is not to keep us healthy. It is not to make us wealthy. It is to conform us into the image of His Son (see also Romans 8:29)."  
  
• God’s Promised Vindication Culminates with the Judgment of His People Israel (3:4-5):  God makes explicit how He will judge all, not just the priesthood.  The commentary shares: "the fear of the Lord preserves us for the Day of Judgment. It teaches us to live in light of God’s grace and mercy. Without this proper fear, we are prone to forget the radical nature of the good news of the gospel and to wander from our covenant God. If we lack fear, we may be judged through fire to be lacking worth, showing that we had never truly surrendered to God in the first place." 
  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing scripture to help reveal sin in my life.  I want to please honor and glorify You.  You are worthy!  I, on the other than, remain broken and sinful, and undeserving of my salvation and grace - which You pour out daily.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the grace You pour out daily that never ceases.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such 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 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.

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:9

Today I focused on preparing the presentation I will be using to lead Sunday school exploring James 5:7-11. The lesson starts by looking at the three examples of patience James offers for believers to follow.  See also post here. One of these examples is Job who of course is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of patience in suffering; he never curses the Lord even though his own wife wants him to and he sees God in all circumstances (see Job 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:7).  I then point to: 

• other places in scripture where God sets what seems like an impossible standard: John 13:34 (love), Ephesians 4:32 (forgiveness)
• other places where the Word talks about patience or patience in suffering: Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 8:18, Hebrews 11:1
  

There is of course much to unpack in James 5:7-11 so I look forward to a great discussion in class on Sunday!

Before I wrap my study today - I reflect on how I feel challenged to not grumble against my fellow believers as I wait on the Lord as I must be patient with various matters in my life.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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.   

 

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:8-9

I continue a pause of my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  Yesterday, I reviewed James 5:7-11 and documented my thoughts based on an unassisted review (no commentary).  This morning, I lean on commentary provided by the Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for this book. 

Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The theme of this part of the letter is clear: patience is mentioned twice in verse 7 and once each in verses 8 and 10 while the words “endured” and “endurance” are used in verse 11. James gives us three pictures of patience to encourage us."
• The three pictures of patience described in the commentary (and in the text) include (1) "like a farmer: waiting for the harvest," trusting in God in circumstances we cannot control - like the weather - to provide just the right balance of weather needed for a harvest, understanding that too much, too little rain, too much heat, or too much cold could have deleterious effects on the harvest, and "honoring God with what you can control" avoiding grumbling and complaining as an example from v9; (2) "be patient like a prophet: speaking the truth.  Much like the farmer, the prophet reminds us that patience does not necessarily mean inactivity. A farmer doesn’t just sit back waiting for the rain: he works. Likewise, a prophet in the middle of persecution stood boldly and spoke out against injustice. In the middle of hardship, we are to speak about the goodness, the greatness, the judgment, and the mercy of God. Times of suffering are often the most golden opportunity to speak a word for the glory of God;" and (3) "like Job: hoping in God’s purpose.... Remember that it took 42 chapters for the purpose of suffering in Job’s life to be revealed, and only at the end did he confess, “I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This is a good reminder for us: Whatever you are walking through is not the end of the story. The end will reveal that the Lord is indeed “very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). You can’t see it, but be patient, hoping in God’s purpose."

Jesus wants us to be completely dependent on Him, and scripture makes it clear that obedience to Him can ONLY be through Him.  For example, Jesus sets what appears to be an impossibly high bar for how to love - love one another as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  Here, in James, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit (through James) seeks for us to be as patient as Job - once again an incredibly high bar but we must remember that it is not through our own efforts that we love as Jesus loves or be patient as Job is patient, but through loving, trusting and surrendering our lives to Jesus, allowing Him to mold us into more of His image. #Sanctification.

 

Comment and discuss this post.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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. 

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

I pause my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  This morning, I focus on an unassisted review of James 5:7-11.  The heading for the text in the ESV translation refers to this text as Patience in Suffering.  V7a starts with a call to all brothers and sisters in Christ to "be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord."  Before we proceed to v7b, we must look at why we must be patient because the text that we should be patient...therefore - referring to previous text.  James 4 provides warnings against worldliness and arrogance/pride.  James 5:1-6 provides a warning to those who have lived lavishly, luxuriously, and self-indulgently, trusting in their riches and treating poorly the laborers who have worked their fields.  Similar to Egypt where God heard the cries of the suffering Israelites (see Exodus 2:23-25), "the cries of the harvesters [working the fields of the rich] have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (4:4).  James 4:5b-6 describe how the rich have "fattened [their] hearts in a day of slaughter....[and] condemned and murdered the righteous person.  [The righteous person] does not resist [the rich who condemned and murdered]."  James 4:6 describes suffering on the part on the righteous person.  Jesus of course should be described as righteous and holy as He lived a sinless and perfect life.  He did not resist going to the cross - suffering on behalf of believers who also suffer but receive eternal life.  James 4:7 references the righteous person condemned and murdered in v6.  We want justice for the condemned and murdered person, but we must wait for the Lord to deliver this justice and this will come but we don't know when so we must be patient.  Patience is described in more detail as waiting for the "early and late rains" as a farmer does before the harvest.  We are also urged not just to be patient but to not grumble and complain against "one another" (v8), to avoid God's judgement.  In a further description of the patience we should have, we are urged to demonstrate the same patience as others who suffered yet remained patient and steadfast, including Job (vv10-11).  The book of Job chronicles incredible suffering of the book's namesake and yet Job never cursed God.  At the end of the book of Job (chapter 42), Job is restored, as God blesses him for his patience and steadfastness.  Believers will also be rewarded in Heaven for their faith, patience, steadfastness, and perseverance.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who went to the cross so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity with You.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out for me.  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.      

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5b

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 seventeen - A Global Grasp of Suffering and a Heart of Personal Empathy.  Here, John Piper explains his love and admiration of Paul for how Paul helps believers understand not just God's plan behind personal suffering, but also his design for suffering on a global scale.  Piper shares that it is rare that someone such as Paul can articulate both points of view so eloquently.  He traces how Paul displayed this gift early on in the formation of the church in Acts 14:21-22 where Paul writes that he returned to newly formed churches encouraging them to see God in their suffering, and to endure because "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Piper provides additional passages of scripture where Paul clearly states the role of suffering in God's design: 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Piper then moves to help us see how Paul shares how suffering on a global scale and in creation itself is part of God's design from the very beginning: Romans 8:20-23 and Genesis 2:17. As hard as it is to accept, God intends for us and creation to be subject to suffering and futility - although Piper wants us also to understand that it is not punishment and it is limited but redemption by Christ provides hope in this life and eternally. Piper wraps the chapter by sharing: "physical miseries of the creation are a visible and deeply felt witness to the moral ugliness and outrage of sin....God subjected the physical world to corruption to show us the outrage of sin at the one point where we really feel it.  This is how serious our moral condition is before God.*"

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

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good in how You provide hope and encouragement to endure the suffering of this life and how we can even have joy through the suffering as we focus on how You never leave or forsake us and how we have power over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless in these ways.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

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 five - Unshakable Contentment Whether Abased or Abounding.  Here, John Piper describes how Paul endures and perseveres through immense sufferings, remaining content with his circumstances and refusing to grumble and complain. Piper first starts with how Paul was at one point almost brought to death, but recognized that his suffering had purpose and it was God's purpose.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 for the text where this is described.  Piper then makes this statement about the "truth Paul believed about his suffering— no   matter how severe— was that it came ultimately with God’s purpose, and the purpose was that Paul would trust himself less and trust God more, every moment of his life, especially as death approached.*"  Piper continues on this topic by moving to the key to how Paul avoided grumbling and complaining about his suffering - we are referred to Romans 5:3-5 where Paul sees how God is - according to Piper - "producing endurance and God-saturated hope.*" Even when Paul sensed his suffering could lead to death Piper describes how Paul shared how this did not move him to grumble or complain - we are referred to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 where Paul tells us that he focused on what was awaiting him in Heaven...an "eternal weight of glory." As Piper wraps up the chapter, he sums up - by pointing to Philippians 4:11-13 - how Paul had found the secret to contentment.  Additional scripture references are provided, including Philippians 3:8 (all satisfying presence and worth of Christ) and Philippians 1:12 and Romans 8:28 (God works all things for his good).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and there are times when I have experienced suffering and You saw me through it and I know there will be more suffering before my life ends and I know You will never leave or forsake me and work in me to produce hope....thank You Jesus for how You bless me.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

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 three - Steady in His Calling through Incomparable Sufferings.  This chapter describes Paul as "utterly devoted" to Christ despite and through "incomparable sufferings."  Piper shares how Acts 20:24 highlights Paul's single minded devotion to sharing the gospel. Paul's single mindedness to his mission as given to him by God is further clarified in Romans 15:20 where Paul shares how he seeks to share the Good News of Jesus Christ "not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation."  Broadly speaking, Philippians 1:20 describes Paul's mission to glorify God regardless of whether through life or death - this is how he is able to endure the incredible suffering as he described in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.  Believers should all live on mission to glorify Christ as this is why we exist and do as Paul does to live with such single-mindedness (and with intention) that we are able to push through anything, including suffering.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who lived with singular focus - to live a perfect life, to save others, to die on the cross, and to rise again so that those who believe can be saved and sealed forever.  Thank You Jesus for the life You led and for giving us other examples such as Paul for how to serve as You desire all of us to do.  I am not worthy of how You save and for the grace You pour out.  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.

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17-18

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which uses Hebrews 6:17-18 to encourage believers to "hold fast to the hope set before us."  Ultimately, the hope set before us refers to how Christ has already defeated sin and death and how he is saving a place in Heaven for believers - for eternity.  We should be hopeful about this - and this hope should carry us through all of the trials and challenges we will experience in life - and we will experience trials and challenges (John 16:33).  However, John Piper reminds us that even though Christ has already secured the victory we all need, we still need power and a will to hold fast - we cannot do this alone.  We need Christ while we remain in this life to hold fast.  Piper uses Philippians 3:12 to underscore his point - in this text Paul writes how he presses on and endures (just as Jesus did on the cross) to own and claim the life God has given him (regardless of the trials and challenges), and to place his hope in the cross "because Christ Jesus has made me his own."  Take hold of this hope!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father - and I know You will never leave or forsake me and You will help me through the ups and downs of life - all the way to the end.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  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 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.

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11

[Moses] considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:26

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which broadly examines Hebrews 11, specifically zeroing in on Moses in this chapter that is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith."  Here, John Piper highlights how Moses left his comfortable life in Pharaoh's family when he had compassion on the Jews working as slaves in Egypt (see Exodus 2).  Moses, led by the Holy Spirit - which we know existed since the beginning of time (God as Alpha and Omega) - saw how his suffering, which preceded Christ's suffering, would bring him an eternal reward. Piper wants us to ponder this in the context of our own suffering.  Piper writes: "[w]e do not choose suffering simply because we are told to, but because the One who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy. He beckons us into the obedience of suffering not to demonstrate the strength of our devotion to duty, or to reveal the vigor of our moral resolve, or to prove the heights of our tolerance for pain, but rather to manifest, in childlike faith, the infinite preciousness of his all-satisfying promises — the all-satisfying greatness and beauty of his own glory as the fulfillment of all of them." God promises are amazing and of course He is faithful and we can count on Him to deliver on all of His promises.  Be encouraged!

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

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

This morning, I focus on John Piper's Solid Joys devotional, where Piper seeks for us to see how when we struggle, we should consider how God is using our struggle for service to Him. God has us in His everlasting arms and wants to use everything about our experience for His glory and good (see Romans 8:28)- and it is certainly good to help others. Piper writes: "[t]he psalmist said in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” He does not say it was easy or fun or pleasant. In retrospect, he simply says, “It was good for me.”' 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are at all times good and Your design for my experience in this life is good, even when the times are a struggle, I see Your goodness.  Thank You Jesus for Your goodness.  I am not deserving of Your everlasting love and arms.  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 after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5

 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how God, as Piper describes how Jesus provides "assurance that he will not delay beyond what we can endure, and that he will abolish the flaws we bemoan, and that he will establish forever what has tottered so long — that assurance comes from the God of 'all grace.'" In the midst of pain, Piper encourages us to hold on and to endure lest we succumb to the fears that threaten our faith.  He points us to Hebrews 10:39 and Mark 13:13:

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and strength for me - through all times good and bad.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  I worry - I know this is sinful - 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.  

[T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 14

[T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how God often denies a prayer for grace yet responds with another form of grace that we are unable to perhaps see in the moment but able to see later in hindsight.  We should understand that from the Fall (Genesis 3), human existence moved from the perfection of the Garden of Eden, to a world full of sin and hardship. Jesus tells us in the gospel of John (John 16:33) how we are to expect hardship but that we will overcome (ultimately) anything hardship we experience. In today's post, Piper emphasizes how we are to see grace in the form of denied prayer - we don't know God's ways or thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) - but we do know that for those who love God, He works all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Piper refers us to 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul shares how God denied his request to remove a "thorn":

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Let us pray that we can mindful of how God works in and through our weakness to accomplish great things. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has poured out an indescribable amount of grace on my life - of course when I am undeserving and also when I cannot even recognize it in the face of suffering.  Thank You Jesus!  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.

[W]e rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope[.]

Romans 5:1-11

[W]e rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope[.] Romans 5:2b-4

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued my study of chapter six The Blessings of Justification By Faith, which covers Romans 5:1-11.  My focus today is the back half of Romans 5:2 through verse 4.  I continue to explore how, as a result of my justification by faith I am blessed and specifically this morning, blessed with hope.  I am to rejoice in not only this hope but in any challenges/trials/suffering I may experience as God is shaping me into more of his image and also keeping me focused on not just my time here on earth but what awaits in Heaven. 

My commentary encourages me to not forget how I am undeserving of this blessing of hope as it was faith alone that justified me not any of my or the totality of my works. I am also encouraged to see three applications from verses 3-4:

1. God's priority is not to take away all of your problems; it's to make you like Jesus; suffering refines us and makes us more like Jesus.  It weans us off the pleasures of this world and reminds us of the ultimate realities. 
2. God's purposes can be trusted.  God is working all things together for our good as he conforms us to the images of his Son.
3. God's pattern can be anticipate: afflictions-endurance-character-hope; trials and suffering build character and give us confidence in God as we ensure more trials to come.

I am encourages to look at how suffering produces hope by looking at Mark 4:14-20 (Parable of the Sower):

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. Mark 4:17

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed amazing and You give me hope - and I rejoice in this hope and I am grateful how You have molded me through suffering and trials.  I can reflect on these trials now and see the blessing and have confidence that I am more prepared for suffering as I know there will be more.  Thank You Jesus for being full of grace and that You never leave or forsake me.  I am not deserving of how You justify me nor am I deserving of my salvation or any blessing You pour out for me.  My sin continues - daily...of many kinds.  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.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Job 1-42

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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 "Job: God's Presence in the Storm*".

*Title of lesson two from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day five starts with a humbling perspective that Job (and all of us at least from time to time) is like "clay, telling the potter not to press so hard". We are pointed to Job where God says:

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Job 41:11

Lucado writes that "God owes man nothing...which makes the fact that [H]e gave us everything even more astounding".  Job finally sees God for how He truly is - not as some distant cruel God but as a God who never leaves or forsakes believers. We are encouraged to see how suffering produces endurance (Romans 5:3-5), perseverance, character, and hope. We are then pointed to how God restored Job with family and prosperity (Job 42). Job encountered God in ways that he never imagined.  We are encouraged to seek God during our times of trouble and to understand how we may never be restored as Job was but that God can still use our challenges to produce something of great value we may never fully see.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has seen me through periods of great trial and I have seen You in the storm with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love.  I worry, am often harsh with others, etc.  Please forgive me 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.

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 27-28

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:30-31

Day 346 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 as I move further into the New Testament - this morning my focus returns to Acts where Paul sails to Rome based on his appeal to Caesar.  While in Rome, Paul continues to share the gospel during house arrest.

What is remarkable about Paul is his endurance (in suffering) and persistence in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. His voyage to Rome is calamitous from start to finish but Paul uses all of these opportunities to endure and share Jesus either through words or actions.

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:22-26

Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Acts 27:33-36

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Acts 28:5-6

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. Acts 28:7-10

He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Acts 28:23

What a witness!

Regardless of where we find ourselves we should hope and pray that we can demonstrate God as Paul does!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and Your Word is incredible as I am inspired and encouraged by Paul.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how the Holy Spirit works to give me the Word and to better understand the Word.  I often place my earthly comfort and earthly distractions (idols!) above You - including today!  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 if I say, “I will not mention his [God's] word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot....But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 17:19-20:13

But if I say, “I will not mention his [God's] word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot....But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Jeremiah 20:9, 11

Day 212 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 my study of Jeremiah. This morning my reading covers much ground.  My commentary* starts with a description of how God's message to Judah through Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of Sabbath rest (Jeremiah 17:19-27) - see John Piper for more on this.  It then moves to a message (including an illustration) from God to Jeremiah that God is the potter and the heavens and earth are all in His hands - He is in control (Jeremiah 18:1-17). My focus this morning is the remainder of the reading where my commentary* describes how Jeremiah learns of a conspiracy against him (Jeremiah 18:18), and he reacts in anger towards God (Jeremiah 18:19-23). Despite his anger, my commentary points to how "Jeremiah nevertheless continues to take God’s message to the people".  Jeremiah is beaten and imprisoned (Jeremiah 20:1-2), feels* "betrayed" and expresses* "self-pity" (Jeremiah 20:7-10, 14-18). Yet, through it all, Jeremiah cannot help but feel a desire to worship and praise God.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

I am reminded of how Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin - threatened with arrest and physical harm and death - boldly proclaim: 

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Such is the life of a believer - Genesis 3 promises difficulties for believers and Jesus tells us as much:

“I have told you these things [see John 16 full chapter], so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Yes...life is full of challenges, difficulties, suffering, etc., but Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us and with the Holy Spirit and our salvation, we will endure.

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

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. "Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.

Isaiah 51-54:3

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. "Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations. Isaiah 51:6-8

 

Day 197 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 my study of Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  This morning, my commentary* starts with Isaiah using Abraham as an example of how God created a great nation from one man - Abraham - all from a promise.  God is faithful.  My commentary* then moves to Isaiah's message and how it describes how our "salvation is coming", how there is "no need to fear" as God's "wrath will pass". 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

 

This salvation and restoration is of course Jesus Christ and and in Isaiah 53 we see the prophecy of the coming Messiah:

 

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away.Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered,he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:2-11

 

God uses Isaiah to comfort Israel in its exile with a promise of restoration and salvation.  This same message of course applies to all believers during any age.  During a period of suffering and trial we must look to God for comfort as what ever challenges we may be experiencing are temporary as we know that we can look forward to eternity in Heaven with Him and this is where we place our hope.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who provides comfort and salvation for those who believer in You - thank You Jesus!  What an awesome God!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...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 accept You as 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.