Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.

Hosea 3:1-5

Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3:5

I continue my study of Hosea, and my focus this morning is Hosea 3:1-5, where God continues to press His message with Israel that she is unfaithful just as a prostitute is - in the text today God reinforces the message from chapter one that Hosea is to love Gomer just as He loves Israel - despite her unfaithfulness.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God loves the children of Israel, even in their sin.  This reminds of how God saves believers while still an enemy and hostile to Him (see also Romans 5:8). Once again, we must remember God's great love and mercy for us.  God directs Hosea to purchase/redeem Gomer just as Jesus paid a price for all of humanity by sacrificing Himself on the cross for our sin.  God then is more specific about how he wants Gomer (and Israel to respond) - to be faithful - to stop yoking yourself to the world and to dwell/fellowship with and to love God. God not only forgives (v5) but is described as good (not just in the latter days but in all days).  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V5 speaks to a Godly response expected from the children of Israel - that they "return and seek the Lord their God."  God knows that His people have been and will continue to sin but He offers forgiveness and reconciliation to those who confess and repent.    
• 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 are to avoid languishing in our sin and shame.  We are to repent and confess our sin and He will forgive - God forgives not just now but in the future.  We are to follow the example of God who loves despite our sin and unfaithfulness.  Remain in Him and ask Him to reveal our sin to us.  Then we should return to God just as the prodigal son did - repent and confess sin. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for how You lavish love on me despite my sin.  Even in punishment and discipline I see Your love and goodness.  Thank You Jesus for all that You do, including my salvation.  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.

And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the LORD.

Hosea 2:1-13

And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the LORD. Hosea 2:13

I continue my study of Hosea, and my focus this morning is Hosea 2:1-13, where God shares with Israel his judgement upon them for her unfaithfulness.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Building on my post yesterday, where I discussed how God is jealous for us (vs of us), here we see God laying out the case for Israel's unfaithfulness and His judgement for her.  God describes how His punishment will impact Israel's inhabitants, their children (v4), the land/animals (wool) (vv3,9), and He will strip her of any cause for celebration (v11). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Israel has yoked itself to Baal (vv8,13) - making her unfaithful to God - breaking the top 2 most important commandments to love God and to not make any gods before the One True God.  Israel's unfaithfulness begets more unfaithfulness as they fail to remember (v8) that God provides all that they possess (every good and perfect gift comes from above - James 1:17), instead thinking it was these other gods that provided what they have. 
• 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 are to avoid forgetting who God is and what He has done for us.  We must claim the promise that God saves and seals us for eternity.  We should go to God daily, to acknowledge our need for His mercies that never cease and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, for the mercies that never cease and that are new every morning. You are faithful and You provide for all!  Thank You for Your faithfulness to me and for never leaving or forsaking me.  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.

“You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.”

Numbers 15:22-31

“You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.” Numbers 15:29-31

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:22-31 - where God gives Moses instructions for the people to atone for unintentional sin.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Believers should understand that since the Fall (Genesis 3), when sin entered the world, all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  Sin is both intentional (v30) (or via commission) and unintentional (omission), yet both are sins and all sin disappoints God, creates separation between us and God, and only Jesus can forgive us and save us from sin, restoring and reconciling us back to Him.  Here in the text today, God gives Moses instructions for how to atone for unintentional sin.  Through Jesus we not only have forgiveness of sin, but also freedom from sin as He works through us to mold us into more of His image - sanctification.  We are a new creation and no longer defined by our sin.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Before Jesus, the people, as the text describes, had to make sacrifices through the priest to atone for sin.  Now, with Jesus, we approach Him directly and with confidence - Hebrews 4:16. 
• 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 willful and intentional sin.  Claim the promise that we can approach Him directly and He forgives and saves...and molds us into more of His image. Claim God's mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  God to God daily and allow Him to work in and through You.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, forgives, 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.

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Mark 3:22-30

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:28-30

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:28-30, which is the text for the third (of three) division of 3:22-30 per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary for the third division:

• "Jesus declares the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God in forgiving sins. “All sins,” literally, “whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme,” will be forgiven. All sinners can find the forgiveness of God if they will come to Him in repentance and faith."
• "However, verses 29-30 note the one tragic and fearful exception. If someone speaks against the Holy Spirit verbally and continually, with willful and malicious intent that reveals a hardened heart beyond the possibility of repentance, there is no forgiveness, and they are 'guilty of an eternal sin.'"
• "In this historical context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit denotes the conscious and deliberate rejection of the saving power and grace of God released through Jesus’ word and act...The considered judgment that his power was demonic, however, betrayed a defiant resistance to the Holy Spirit. This severe warning was not addressed to laymen but to carefully trained legal specialists whose task was to interpret the biblical law to the people. It was their responsibility to be aware of God’s redemptive action. Their insensitivity to the Spirit through whom Jesus was qualified for his mission exposed them to grave peril (Lane, The Gospel of Mark - The New International Commentary on the New Testament)."
• "The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart. (1) It is a sin of full knowledge. (2) It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. (4) It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus. (5) It is rooted in unbelief. (6) It is a sin a Christian cannot commit. (7) It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it."
• "There is a boundary of sin where, once passed, there is no possibility or hope of return. Do not even think of going there. Instead, run to Jesus in faith and repentance. You will find open arms there! You will find forgiveness free and eternal."       

It is remarkable that such learned men, knowledgeable of the law, would act in such a way as to blaspheme God's name.  They were so blinded and hard hearted that their own status as supposed experts in the law was threatened by Jesus and this prevented them from actually seeing who Jesus truly is - the one promised in the Old Testament.  Those of us who truly seek to deeply understand God's Word should be careful that such study and the resulting knowledge should not become an idol as it did for the scribes.  We should all remain humble and our humility should acknowledge that whatever knowledge we do have it comes from God and whatever gifts God gives us in wisdom, teaching, etc. also come from God and it is God working in and through us.  God gets the glory - not us!  Thank You Jesus for the mercies You pour ceaselessly.  I pray that I can remain humble knowing that I continue to sin and that it is You alone that forgives, provides, is in control, and deserves the glory.  We exist to glorify God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who saves and whose mercies never run out and are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise.  Please forgive me for my sin as it continues...daily.  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 heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

 Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:14-15, which is the text for the first of three divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• Believers are encouraged to "fish for people" by proclaiming the Good News
• There are four components of Jesus' message: "(1) [t]he time is fulfilled, (2) the kingdom of God is near, (3) repent, and (4) believe in the gospel."
• "With the appearance of the Messiah-King, the “kingdom of God” has drawn near. In the person of Jesus Christ, men are confronted head-on with the kingdom—the reign of God. What should be our response? Jesus gives His hearers two commands."
• The first command is to repent, which is "to change [one's] mind leading to a change in behavior."  Of course, we must turn towards God.
• The second command is to believe.  Repentance is complemented by belief - this is how we turn towards God. This turn towards God is not a one-time event but a "life altering change" as we become a new creation. "[a] King has arrived who rightly demands that we follow and radically obey Him. This is the unchanging and uncompromising message and vision of the eternal kingdom of God."  

As the commentary implies, this message of repent and believe requires something not just of a new believer, but all believers over the course of their entire life.  Despite being "born again" (aka regeneration), we continue to have sin until glorification when we meet Jesus face-to-face in Heaven.  On a daily basis, we must go to God to continue a work in us through sanctification.  Sanctification only works if we remain and abide in Him - see also John 15:1-8 and this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God, You are an awesome God who saves, provides mercies that never cease and that are new every morning, and who is full of grace and patience to continue a work in me through sanctification. I am undeserving of my salvation and for all that You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...sometimes in very frustrating ways.  Please forgive me 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.

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["]

Zechariah 12:10-13, 13:1

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["] Zechariah 13:1

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 12:10-13:1, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 12:1-13:1 (12:1, 12:2-9, 12:10-13:1).  In what appears to be a pivot from a prophecy of final days and the Battle of Armageddon as described in the book of Revelation (see post yesterday), here the text starts by describing how in v10a God "will pour out...a spirit of grace and pleas of mercy" upon seeing the sight of Christ crucified - a messianic prophecy.  God's people are then described - v10b-13 - as mourning and weeping over the crucified Christ. Vv12-13 describe mourning of families "by themselves" suggesting hiding in the face of persecution.  V13:1 then shares how God will provide "a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness."  This fountain is the inexhaustible supply of grace that flows from Christ to believers for forgiveness of sin. See also this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com. I am immediately reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23 where Jeremiah shares how God's love and mercies never cease and they are new every morning. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are amazing and Your grace and mercy is great and it never ends! Thank You Jesus!  I know that am not deserving of my salvation and this inexhaustible supply of grace and mercy.  My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus 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.    

Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.

 Zechariah 1:14-17

Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:16

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:14-17, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text vv1:7-2:13 (1:7-13, 1:14-17, 1:18-21, 2:1-13).  Here, the commentary emphasizes God's mercy towards His people.  It shares how they were deserving of punishment, which of course was captivity and exile, but the oppression of Israel by neighboring nations greatly angered God (v15), whereas His people's wickedness did not trigger the same level of anger.  As a result, God showed mercy towards Jerusalem and His people - as prophesied in Deuteronomy 30:1-3.  The commentary describes four promises made to Zechariah and Israel from the text:

1. His returned presence: v16a
   
2. Restored stability: v16b
   
3. Rich blessing: v17a
   
4. Renewed favor: v17b
   

The commentary offers encouragement to all who seek comfort: "Whoever you are, wherever you have been, and whatever you have done, God longs to be merciful to you...You can come to the God of the universe, throw yourself at His feet, and He will show you mercy. God extends His mercy to us because of the cross of Jesus Christ. God’s people can count on His overflowing mercy." 

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

“I 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. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - 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.

But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1

But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:13b-14

I return to my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:12-16, Part 2.  Excerpts from the video entitled Do Ignorance and Unbelief Deserve Mercy?: 

• Here, Piper zeroes in on how despite Paul "acted ignorantly in unbelief" he received mercy and Piper examines why this is and he states unequivocally up front that this mercy hinges on v16 where Christ's perfect patience is on display.
  
• Piper then seeks to challenge those who might read v13b and think Paul is saying that he received mercy because of his ignorance and unbelief which then might lead some to believe that this ignorance and unbelief causes or makes Paul more deserving of mercy....Piper points to Matthew 13:58 (unbelief does not cause mercy but instead cuts you off from mercy), Romans 11:19-20 (Jews were cut off from Christ because of their unbelief), Romans 2:4-5 (ignorance, hardness of heart stores up wrath), and Romans 10:1-3 (ignorance does not lessen guilt)
  
• Piper then shares how a more appropriate reading (based on Paul's intent) is that Paul received mercy because that is what he needed not because he deserved it
• We ALL need God's mercy! 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Jude 1b-2

With my study of 1,2,3 John coming to a close, today I start a study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of an unassisted review of Jude 1-2 which is covered by the first chapter of my commentary (that I will lean on tomorrow). Jude, a brother of James writes to believers to encourage them, wishing them to experience the mercy, peace and love of God.  He is directing these blessings to believers.  Jude seeks not just that they experience these blessings of faith, but that they experience a "multiplication" or as the dictionary defines this word, a "spreading" or a greater amount of these blessings.  Jude wants these believers to have more of these blessings.  If we truly believe in God we should experience an overwhelming abundance of mercy (see Lamentations 3:22-23), peace (see Philippians 4:7), and love (see Ephesians 3:18).  God intends for believers to act in such a way that others see something supernatural in our lives so that others may be drawn to God through us.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE mercy, peace and love and bless me and all believers with these blessings - thank You Jesus.  My cup overflows...I am certainly not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from 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 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 we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

As I am in between studies, having just wrapped up my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at where Paul focuses to remain hopeful as he grows old and more feeble.  Piper describes how Paul gains hope by focusing on how his inner self is renewed daily - this is also unseen. Piper then points out how this somewhat contradictory focus is further clarified by Paul in the next chapter of 2 Corinthians 5:7: "for we walk by faith, not by sight." Piper shares that this clarification "doesn’t mean that [Paul] leaps into the dark without evidence of what’s there. It means that for now the most precious and important realities in the world are beyond our physical senses.  We “look” at these unseen things through the gospel. We strengthen our hearts — we renew our courage — by fixing our gaze on the invisible, objective truth that we see in the testimony of those who saw Christ face to face." Piper wraps the devotion by pointing back to chapter 4:6 where Paul writes: " [f]or God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This previously unseen knowledge of the glory of God is now seen by us because God revealed it to us - praise God!

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34

I continue my pause from my studies of both Proverbs and Isaiah to listen to Part 3 of DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion on worry.  John Piper uses the Sermon on the Mount to unpack promises #5-7 that Jesus gives us in the text to encourage us in our battle against anxiety and stress. These promises are:

• #5: Matthew 6:31-32 > Piper states, using this text, that we should not feel as if "God is ignorant of [our] needs. He knows all of them. And he is “your heavenly Father.” He does not look on, indifferently, from a distance. He cares. He will act to supply your need when the time is best."
• #6: Matthew 6:33 > Piper states, using this text, that "All the food and drink and clothing — and everything else — that you need to do his will and glorify him. Which might mean his purpose is for you to die for him, but he will supply everything you need to do it for his glory."  Piper also uses both Romans 8:32 and 35-37 to encourage us that God provides for all our needs, that we are never alone as He (through the Holy Spirit) is always with us, and that He enables us to conquer all that we may face.
  
• #7: Matthew 6:34 > Piper seeks to encourage us with this text by pointing out that (using 1 Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 33:25, Lamentations 3:22-23, and 2 Corinthians 9:8) that "God will see to it that you are not tested in any given day more than you can bear," and that He will give you daily strength and mercies, and all the grace you need for any good deed.
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God and You provide for all that I need, physically, emotionally, spiritually - thank You Jesus.  I need not worry - but I have and I am certain there will be times that I will - please forgive me for my worry.  Help me overcome and turn from it 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.