Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will....To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some....Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23, John 18-19

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will....To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some....Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, 10:32-33

Day 319 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 focusing on Jesus' trial before Pilate. My commentary* indicates "...the Sanhedrin has no power to execute condemned prisoners without approval of the Roman government. Yet clearly such a pagan government will not regard a charge of blasphemy with the same degree of seriousness as do the Jews. Therefore more appropriate charges will have to be laid before the governor. Being politically astute, the Jewish leaders will accuse Jesus of sedition in allegedly urging refusal to pay taxes and in claiming to be the King of the Jews." Although both Pilate and Herod Antipas, who also hears the case, find no charge deserving of execution, Pilate bows to the pressure from the Jewish leaders to crucify Jesus.

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

This morning's scripture reading highlights the weight of the decision felt by Pilate regarding the charges made by the Jewish leaders and the remedy they sought for Jesus' "offenses".  Pilate of course caves to the pressure. While we know this is the plan - that God sent Jesus to die on the cross - we can also use the passage to examine the pressure we feel in our own lives...often this pressure is to do what the world sees as better or more popular - we call this peer pressure sometimes and it is often associated with teenagers, yet as we get older we are no less immune to this pressure.  On the subject of peer pressure, some digging this morning revealed a thoughtful post by John Piper that explores the balance of the "indigenous principle and the pilgrim principle" (Andrew Walls, The Missionary Movement In Christian History). Scripture tell us to "not conform" (Romans 12:2), while at the same time we are to be "all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:22) and to "please everyone" (1 Corinthians 10:32-33) so that we may save some.  

This is a difficult balance for sure, but once again I go to one of my "go to" verses Romans 12:2 where it says "be transformed by the renewing of the mind...".  Piper goes here as well and encourages us to focus on our deepening relationship with Jesus and how we are to grow closer to Him to help us navigate this balance.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I know I am more like You and others have seen this as well. I know I continue to fall down and there is more work to but I am grateful that You have given me faith and a desire for You.  I am not worthy for all that You do for me and that You went to the cross for me.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me for my harsh words and actions and impatience for others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You and help me love You and 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.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Judges 2-3 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17

Day 74 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Israel's repeated failure to follow the Lord as a result of their disobedience to God's command to overcome the remaining inhabitants of the promised land (see previous post).  Israel "did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt.  They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them." (Judges 2:11-12).  God then gives Israel into the hands "of raiders who plundered them" (Judges 2:14).  God does raise up judges to save them but once these judges die, the Israelites return to their wicked ways (Judges 2:19).  Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar are all mentioned in Judges 3 as deliverers who save Israel - each providing temporary peace.

Our starting point should be that we are all (all of humanity) sinful and we exist in a fallen world - plagued not just by our own sin but also by the sin around us.  Believers can easily be seduced by the world.  

My recent study of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) highlighted this important warning and uses words from John:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who has strengthened me and protected me - yet I know my sin continues and there is work to do.  Thank You God for protecting me but please forgive me for how I have fallen down.  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 angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.

Joshua 13, 15, 17, 24, Judges 1-2:5

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord. Judges 2:1-5

Day 73 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the death of Joshua and Eleazar (Aaron's son), their burial, as well as the burial of Joseph's bones - this latter burial done at the request of Joseph at his deathbed.  Once Joshua passes, we also see the failure of the Israelites to conquer the remaining inhabitants of the promised land. Judges 1 details these failures. 

My commentary* indicates "[t]he danger of an incomplete conquest is the lingering presence of pagan influence. As long as the Canaanites remain, the Israelites will inevitably intermarry with them, and, just as inevitably, turn to worship their pagan gods. Failure to drive out the inhabitants may indicate not only the softness of Israel’s resolve but also a certain fascination with the pagan culture about them. Whatever the reasons for their failure, God considers it a breach of covenant and knows that widespread idolatry is soon to follow."

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

God expects much of us and ultimately we will all be held to account.  As believers, we must get to work (see John Piper's post on this)!  We must in Peter's words, "make every effort" (mentioned 3x in 2 Peter 1).

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:47-48

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with much - my cup overflows.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I often fail to make every effort - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin.  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 are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus-Leviticus-Deuteronomy 12-13, 17-22, 26-28

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 12:8-9

Day 47 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses' laws which my commentary* describes as "some of which he gives here for the first time—or at least they are recorded here for the first time—and some of which he has already given but now further explains or reemphasizes. (As indicated earlier, all the laws previously given have been held in abeyance until this section in order to bring the total together in one collection organized by subject matter.) Although these laws are traditionally known as the Laws of Moses, it is of course God who is their source. However, because there will be other laws of Israel as the nation becomes more fully developed, it is appropriate to distinguish these early commandments by referring to them as Moses’ laws".

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

Much of the focus here is God's 2nd and 3rd commandments (see Exodus 20) where:
- "You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
- "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

To that end, God (through Moses) warns us of being seduced by "the world" as we will sow the seeds of destruction.  The more we grow comfortable with the world, the more we sow these seeds.  Instead we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and be "doers" of the Word as James exhorts us. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and so much more so that I can be filled - as I have been!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings because I know I am not righteous as You are.  I sin...daily..with arrogance and other sins.  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 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 from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Deuteronomy 1-4

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:29-31

Day 44 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses' words to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land - he recaps how God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt, provides for them, disciplines them, and protects them through victories over enemies.  Moses also ensures the Israelites are aware of how faithful God is as He has kept His promise to make the Israelites a great nation and to give them the Promised Land.  Moses also shares lament over His own sin and how this prevented Him from entering the Land.  He encourages the Israelites to stay near to God and to obey His laws and decrees.  Moses knows that he is about to die and pass on the baton of leadership to Joshua.

Moses believes idolatry is a great threat and he warns the people of how they will face God's anger should they worship "any kind of idol" (Deuteronomy 4:25-28).  Sensing the Israelites likely will worship idols, Moses offers encouragement for those who repent.  We all sin - but God is full of compassion and mercy.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has offered me great mercy and compassion as You have rescued me from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift...I am harsh to others.  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.  Please 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 Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 6-9

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. Genesis 6:22, 7:5

Day 3 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Noah and the Great Flood.

Broadly speaking, it is certainly noteworthy to highlight how quickly sin becomes the big story here - it all begins with falling prey to the temptation and seduction of the world.  God desires holiness and righteousness from us yet those who led a more righteous life (indicated in my study* as those from Seth's line) chose to marry women from the less righteous line (Cain's line) - focusing on physical attractiveness (see 6:1-2).  Contrast this with God's decision to select and anoint David as king based on his heart condition vs physical features (see 1 Samuel 16:7).  David lived to find favor in God's eyes.  Similarly, Noah did as well and while scripture does not discuss it my study* indicates Noah faced "undoubted ridicule" for constructing the ark as God commanded it.  Yet Noah "did all that God commanded" - we should strive for such a life.  We must remember that we don't exist to please earthly beings but instead to glorify God.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I DO seek to please and glorify You - You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve....I often fail to glorify You and am seduced by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin torwards 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 their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and 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.