But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.]

 Jude 1:17-23

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 1:20-23

I continue my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and my focus today is Jude 1:17-23, where Jude pivots from judgement on false teachers to encouragement and exhortations for believers. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv17,20: God loves us - believers are beloved.  We are also loved by brothers and sisters in Christ through the local church, that loves, prays for, and supports us. God binds all things together in love (Colossians 3:14).  God gives us the two most important commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) - to love Him and to love others.  These two most important commandments are expressed in Jude's encouragements and exhortations (vv20-23) to "keep [our]selves in the love of God" and to love others. Vv17-19: Jesus is returning and when He does, Jude reminds us that we will be able to discern the final days as he reminds us of Peter's warning from 2 Peter 3:3 (and surrounding text) where "scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires."  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The false teachers called out by Jude in his letter are those who are identified by following their own sinful desires and for causing division sowed through their errant teaching. Believers protect themselves through the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), (vv20-21) building themselves up (growing in God), remaining in the love of God (John 15:1-17), praying, and by pressing on patiently waiting for Jesus's return.  The expectation - consistent with the Great Commission and the 2nd greatest commandment - is that believers also advance the Gospel even during the final days to (vv22-23) "have mercy on those who doubt, [and] to save others by snatching them out of the fire."     
• 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 false teaching and false teachers.  Claim the promise that Jesus is returning and that as a believer you will be spared and saved - this is your blessed assurance.  Follow the example of those who are building themselves up in the faith, praying, remaining in Him, and by saving others - even during the last days. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me discernment about how to identify false teachers and false teaching, for giving me the whole armor of God, and for giving me Your Word, the church, and the Holy Spirit in me so that I can build myself up in the faith.  Thank You also for 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.

...I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Philemon 1:1-7

...I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6-7

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today, I start Philemon, focusing on 1:1-7, where Paul sends greetings to an early church leader named Philemon, as well as greetings to those who attend his house church in Colosse.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V3: We are reminded that Christ is a God of grace and peace - He is full of grace in that we don't get what we do deserve (death and eternal damnation), but we do get what we don't deserve (salvation).  Plus, this grace continues to flow in an inexhaustible supply. See also this post on DesiringGod.com. Christ is a God peace in that He is not a conquering God but one that seeks to bind things together in love through faith - delivering peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).  God should be the object of our gratitude, love, and prayers, and we should be faithful as He is always faithful - see vv4-5.  V6: God gives us amazingly good things and an eternal inheritance - James (James 1:17) even says that "[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above[.]"  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv1-2: Paul makes it clear that he is a prisoner.  Fellow believers (Timothy, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus) are referred to lovingly as brothers and sisters in Christ and as fellow workers [in Christ.]  We must also share the same love and affection with our fellow believers in the local church. Paul goes even as far as referring to Archippus as a "fellow soldier," implying that believers are in spiritual warfare - which of course we are.  This points to Ephesians 6:10-20 where Paul expands on this spiritual warfare and how we are defend ourselves via the "whole armor of God."  Vv4-6: Paul prays for his fellow believers and he prays prayers that are pleasing to God - that the Gospel be advanced that the effort be "effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."  V7: We are to be encouraging to our fellow believers - use our words to build one another up - see also 1 Thessalonians 5:11. 
• 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 God is full of an inexhaustible supply of grace and that He provides a peace that surpasses understanding. Follow the example of Philemon whom Paul praises for his love and faith and leadership in the church.  Be an encouragement to other believers.   

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and for the tremendous encouragement they offer me.  Thank You also for the inexhaustible supply of grace You provide, and for the peace that surpasses understanding. 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.

[F]ulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.

Colossians 4:7-18

[F]ulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. Colossians 4:17

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 4:7-18, as Paul concludes his letter to the church in Colosse by sending final greetings and sharing many examples of church members working to encourage and support one another.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God draws people to Himself and knits together via divine appointment both the local and global church - and He holds all of it together via love (see also Colossians 3:14).          
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Paul specifically names nine individuals who are actively supporting others in the church - with examples of serving alongside one another, encouragement, sharing in suffering (e.g. imprisonment), sending greetings, praying, working hard on one's behalf, etc. These examples demonstrate how Christ seeks for the church to function - first and foremost how we are one body working together for the same purpose - to advance the gospel and bring glory to God. When one part of the body needs help, the other parts of the body come to assist. See also Romans 12:4–5, and 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.  Church unity and all the parts of the body working together (including other churches) in unison drive the gospel.  Love of God and of one another holds it all together.
• 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 of how God holds all things together in love and our love of God and for others will advance the gospel. Follow the examples of those described here in the text today who love, serve and support one another in ministry.  Identify your role in the Great Commission - the church's work - and faithfully serve and fulfill this role. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, and for providing me a local church home where I am loved, discipled to, encouraged, etc.  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.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ..And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.

Colossians 2:6-15

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ..And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. Colossians 2:8, 13-14 

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 2:6-15, where Paul reminds believers of how Christ gave them rebirth (regeneration) in Him, and that they should continue to abide in Him, lest they are taken "captive" by "elemental spirits of the world." Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V9: The whole fullness of deity dwells in Christ and the church. V10: Christ is the head of all rule and authority - He reigns over all, including all governing authorities (see also Romans 13:1-2) and Satan.  Vv12-14: Through regeneration or rebirth in Christ, God raises believers from spiritual death to new life where we have victory over sin and death as He "cancelled the record of death that stood against us." V15: The rulers and authorities thought they killed Christ but He not only rose and was victorious over sin and death, He also "disarmed" them by taking away the very weapons they tried to use to stop the spread of the Gospel.  They used both physical and spiritual forces but He could not be stopped and gave us the same power that raised Him from the dead.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V8: There are unbelievers (scoffers) and believers alike that seek to take believers captive with false teaching or just wrong teaching that focuses on "elemental spirits of the world."  Be careful for these influences.  Do not become friends of the world or pollute your mind with false teaching.  Abide and remain in Him.  Seek encouragement and sharpening from brothers and sisters in Christ.  Vv12-13: Without God people are spiritually dead, enslaved to sin.  
• 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 becoming friends of the world by growing comfortable with worldly ways or by allowing false teaching to captivate or engage you.  Claim the promise that we have both the same power that raised Christ from the dead but also the power to triumph over the earthly forces that orchestrated Christ's crucifixion.  Follow the example of Paul who put on the "whole armor of God" - regardless of his persecution and imprisonment, He continued to advance the gospel.  Abide and remain in Him.    

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for giving me new life in Christ, for giving me the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and for giving me the assurance of victory over sin and death. 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.

 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:1-11 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 2:1-11 where Paul exhorts us to follow Christ's example to be humble. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Paul uses a rhetorical statement/question in v1 that "if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy," we should then follow Christ's example.  Of course there are are these things in Christ!  We are encouraged for SO many reasons - with one key reason that God provides us the Holy Spirit who is in us as a Helper (John 14:26). We do get comfort knowing that we can never be separated from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have a God that knows everything we experience because He took on human form - He does sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15).  Vv5-8: Christ is our example of humility.  Vv9-11: Because Christ was humble and followed the will of God, for the sake of all humanity through all of redemptive history, took on flesh then died for us...because of all this, Jesus reigns in Heaven at the right hand of God. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Paul - as a disciple maker of the church in Philippi, and one of the world's foremost disciple-makers - is made joyful by believers who...in light of v1 that we do have these things, v2 seek the same mind and desires of Christ.  V3: Unlike those who preach with selfish ambition (see Philippians 1:17), we are called to be like Christ who is humble.  
• 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 selfish ambition or your own glory.  Claim the promise that we have a God that sympathizes with us and we will never be separated from His love.  Follow the example of Christ and His humility.  Be humble and love and serve others.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your humility and the example You provide, and for living in my heart and life to give me not just my salvation, but also mercies that never cease and hope.  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 it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:1-11 

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

I return to my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 1:1-11 where Paul shares his gratitude for the church in Philippi and he describes how they remain in his prayers. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God designed the local church and knit its members together for a purpose, it is a blessing to its members, and we should be thankful as Paul is (v3) for the local churches where we have built relationships and experienced blessings because of these relationships as they have provided (out of love) support, encouragement, sharpening, etc. God is at work in all believers (v6) and this work (sanctification) will continue until glorification when we are called Home to Heaven and will meet Jesus face to face.  Vv9-11 describes how Christ and the Holy Spirit fills us, renews us, and we bear fruit for His glory. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The relationship we have with other believers is a stronger bond than we have even with family members as we all share rebirth through our Heavenly Father and this is the most important relationship in all our lives. Through this common bond, believers share (v7) grace, sufferings, and "defense and confirmation of the gospel."  The implication here is that we proclaim the gospel that we are defending and confirming.  Paul prays (v9) that the church in Philippi grows in its love both of Christ and of others - the latter of which is an overflow of love of God.  As we grow the prayer is not just of love but as we know God more, He will renew our minds and give us greater alignment and discernment of His will for our lives (vv9-11) - see also Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23.        
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that God is at work in your heart and life and progressively making you more like Him until you meet Him face to face when He brings You home. Follow the example of Paul and express gratitude for the local church, and pray, support, and encourage one another.  Know God, be renewed, and bear fruit for His glory.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for the local church and how You made divine appointments with my brothers and sisters in Christ to support, encourage, pray for, etc. one another - what a blessing!  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You also for 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.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.]

Hebrews 12:12-17

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.] Hebrews 12:14-15

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 12:12-17 - the author, based on how he exhorts believers to see discipline as training from God, and good, issues a call to action for believers to press on with the mission to share the gospel and to support other believers in their journey so that they not "shrink back."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv12-13: God seeks for us to grow, and this often includes painful periods of discipline as God is using our circumstances to prune and shape us into who He seeks for us to serve His purpose. V14: God knows that believers must be a light if His Great Commission is to gather and sustain any momentum. V15-16: Unity in the church is critical as one "defiled" person may defile many - therefore He wants us to support and encourage other believers.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: My previous post highlighted text where discipline is sometimes viewed as painful - temporarily.  While this may be true it also inevitably makes us stronger and resilient as our spiritual muscles tear, heal, and grow back stronger - this is vv12-13.  While persecution and other interpersonal clashes may cause us to lash out to others in response, v14 encourages us to "strive for peace with everyone," because if we don't demonstrate being a light (holy and set apart), we risk apostasy and eternal damnation.  Vv15-17 concludes with the author seeking for believers to encourage and support other believers such that we avoid a "root of bitterness" among us that again may lead to disunity in the church and apostasy of believers. The example of Esau is used as he "despised" his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), allowing this "root of bitterness" to drag Esau away from holiness.  
• 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 discouragement and a root of bitterness to fester and drag you away from God and into sin.  Claim the promise that God disciplines those He loves and see your circumstances through what God is causing or allowing in your life for good and His glory.  Encourage and support other believers to press on with the Great Commission.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for how You provide support and encouragement from other believers.  I am not deserving of how You love, save, and bless.  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.

Jesus, [is] the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus, [is] the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11:16

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 12:1-2 - the author builds on the previous chapter by encouraging believers to endure with faith until the end, just as Jesus did.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is seen as not just God but as a coach for those running the race of faith to the end.  This is not a sprint but an endurance race and we know we will experience tribulation as God tells us that we will (John 16:33) but he also tells us that we will overcome because He has overcome.  This encouragement comes on the heels of the encouragement from the previous chapter where the author of Hebrews shares that believers have a better promise - an eternal one - than the one from those mentioned in the "Hall of Faith."  We can endure because of the greater promise of Jesus and the inheritance we will share with Him. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Believers are "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" - v1 - implies that God wants the light of our faith and love of God to cut through the cloud so that people can clearly see who the light is and be drawn to the light - which is of course Jesus!  V1 also describes how we do this - by enduring whatever is thrown at us and by focusing on Jesus - His Word, the Holy Spirit, church, spiritual disciplines, etc.    
• 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 the weight of sin which clings so closely and weighs us down as we endure with faith.  Claim the promise that God is saving a place for us in Heaven. Follow the examples of the many explicitly and otherwise mentioned in the "Hall of Faith" from Hebrews 11 who labored for a promise they did not see and did so in faith that they would receive the promise.  Focus on Jesus by making Him the most important relationship in your life - He will help you endure to the end!

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves You, who provides a better promise that allows us to endure until the end where our reward will be that God is saving a place for us in Heaven!  How awesome - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.

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

 Hebrews 10:19-39

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

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 10:19-39  - the author of Hebrews encourages believers to see how they have full assurance of faith as Jesus allows us to enter the most holy of places and share fellowship with God.  This encouragement also seeks to have us endure through suffering we will endure and to hold fast until the end so that we don't fall away.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is described as faithful to all of His promises. He is also described as a jealous God who will punish those who do not submit to Him.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Building on previous chapters where Jesus is described as offering a better covenant, vv19-21 emphasize how this new covenant with Jesus allows us to enter the most holy of places and interact directly with God. V22 then exhorts us to "draw near" to God with a full assurance of faith that He has given us victory over sin and death. Vv23-25: A full assurance of faith allows us to hold fast to the rich inheritances of Jesus lest we fall away.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ are key to how we are to hold fast - corporate worship, group bible studies, praying and fellowship together, etc. as we encourage one another.  Vv26-28 describe how one falls away and how a "fearful expectation of judgement" preserves us and allows us to hold fast and endure.  Vv29-31 describes how God's judgement is something we should all avoid. Vv32-35 provides another exhortation for us persevere through suffering and difficulties by focusing on how we have Jesus Christ as our most treasured possession. This gives us confidence to endure as God is faithful. Vv37-38 refers to Habakkuk 2:3-4 for Old Testament prophecies of judgement day and how the faithful will overcome.  
• 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 neglecting spiritual disciples that may cause us to fall away.  Claim the promise that eternal rewards await those who abide and hold fast to the end. Abide in Him, do not shrink bank. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who allows us to directly share fellowship with You through a better covenant.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

We have [the hope of God's promises] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain[.]

Hebrews 6:13-20

We have [the hope of God's promises] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain[.] Hebrews 6:19

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 6:13-20  - the author of Hebrews builds on v12 (which shares how believers inherit God's promises) by describing how solid God's promises are - that He is faithful. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is so good and gracious.  He knows that people are prone to be weak in their faith.  So He gave Abraham (see also Genesis 22:16-17) not just a promise but also an oath to reassure him (and his descendants, including all believers) that He is faithful - vv13-18.  It seems as if God is distributing grace in advance by sharing this reassurance.  We know Abraham needed reassurance.  He was not perfect and his faith wavered. Vv17-19 also share how it is "impossible for God to lie," how this gives us "strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us," and how this hope serves as "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People waver in their faith and the only way to not waver is to abide, to walk continuously and closely with God.  God then transforms our hearts, minds, and lives to think and live more in His image (Romans 12:2).  We are then encouraged and hopeful as we rest in the certainty of God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20), particularly how the victory over sin and death - for every believer - is already assured. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and You are faithful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love, save and deliver faithfully on all of Your promises.  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.

For [the manslayer] must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.

Numbers 35:9-34

For [the manslayer] must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. Numbers 35:28

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 35:9-34 - God spoke to Moses and gave him commands to pass on to the people to create cities of refuge for those who kill without intent.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God looks at the heart - at one's intent (v11).  See also 1 Samuel 13:14 and 16:7 where the LORD speaks to Samuel when he is searching among Jesse's sons to anoint a new king to replace Solomon.  God exhorts Samuel to examine David's heart.  Our heart condition matters.  Our heart condition works both ways, including sins of omission - we may not have had intent but we sin nonetheless - as this is our sinful nature since the Fall (Genesis 3).  Paul describes this spiritual struggle in Romans 7:15-20.  For the manslayer who has safety in a city of refuge, note how the manslayer must remain within the boundaries of the city of refuge - v28.  This seems to be an encouragement to abide in God, to remain in fellowship with Him because He is our refuge - see also Psalm 9:9-10, 46:1, 91:1–2.  God is also fair - as He allows for deliberate judgement, including witness corroboration (vv12, 30).  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We are inclined to judge and seek vengeance on our own terms - yet God alone is the judge and we can rest in how all will be held accountable for their life and deeds. God knows this hence he created cities of refuge.  
• 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 judgement and vengeance - this is for God.  Claim and rest in the promise that on Judgement Day all will be held accountable for their lives and deeds and nothing is hidden.  Follow the example of Paul who recognized his internal spiritual struggle to do good, and sought to remain in Him for Him to live in His heart.  Abide in Him and seek God as your refuge. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves and who is my refuge during times of trouble.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of who You save and protect.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD...

Numbers 6:1-21

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD... Numbers 6:1-2

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 6:1-21, we see the Lord give Moses instructions for how to administer the Nazirite Vow.  With assistance from the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary for Numbers, here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God calls all of us to put our relationship with Jesus as our highest priority (even above earthly family per Luke 14:26) and to serve Him and others. The Nazirite vow is described as "a vow of separation and self-imposed discipline for the purpose of some special service, and the fact of the vow was indicated by special signs of abstinence."  While the Nazirite Vow primarily applied temporarily to those called to serve, others in the Old Testament took the vow for their entire life.  In the New Testament, God calls all believers to serve and we should not ignore this call - see Ephesians 4:16 where the text refers to "each part [of the body] is working properly."         
• What do we learn from the text about people?: God seeks for those in the church to be set apart - consecrated to God to serve.  There should be noticeable difference in how this appears to others both inside and outside the church.  We are to be examples and an encouragement in this service and a light to others.  
• 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 not obeying God's call to serve - all believers must serve. Claim the promise that those who are last shall be first - how our service to Him and others pleases and brings glory to Him.  Follow the example of so many from scripture and elsewhere who consecrated themselves to God in service to Him - follow Jesus' example and how He consecrated Himself to the Father. Love and serve Him as the most important relationship in your life. 

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

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:5-10

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.  Numbers 3:7-8

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 3:5-10, the Lord speaks to Moses and describes the duties of the Levites.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In describing the duties of the Levites, the Lord first tells Moses to bring the Levites near, before Aaron, so that they can minister to Aaron.  In today's church, the lead pastor needs care and protection in his role - encouragement, wisdom, protection from sinful influences, etc. - pastoral staff and the elders typically serve and provide for this care and protection.  The Lord then further describes the role of Levites more akin to how deacons serve in today's church, by keeping guard over the whole congregation. First and foremost, the Levites are emphasized as servants, "given to Aaron and his sons" (v9).  V10 describes a limit, similarly described in text from a post a few days ago, and with the new covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, no such limit exists for believers.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Everyone has a role in the church and those in the church need care and support, including leadership.  All of God's gifts work together in the body of the church supporting one another and the church as a whole. See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
• 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 selfish desires.  Claim the promise that God gives each member of the church worth, value and an important role to play.  Follow the example of the Levites who serve and watch over the whole congregation.  Love and serve others.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and provides for Your church, giving us leaders that faithfully serve.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You provide such blessings, and most importantly, my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

 John 19:17-27

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” John 19:19-22

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 19:17-27, where we see Jesus led out to be crucified.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is crucified to fulfill scripture - see Isaiah 53 and here in the text today v24 refers to Psalm 22:18.  All scripture points to Jesus and Jesus fulfills all scripture. In vv26-27 Jesus says - while hanging on the cross - to his mother "behold your son" and to Peter "behold your mother."  V27 ends with Peter taking Jesus' mother into his own home and caring for her.  Now Jesus' mother is not Peter's mother by birth but Jesus wants us to care for one another.  Here, in particular, Jesus calls for Peter to care for another believer as one would care for someone in his/her own family.  See also Matthew 12:50.  Support, care, and encouragement for other believers is emphasized elsewhere - see also 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Pilate continues to see Jesus as King of the Jews - v21 (an incomplete understanding of Jesus) and the Jews do not see Jesus as a king of anything.  Yet believers must see Jesus for who He is - Lord of All.  Read and study scripture to know God. 
• 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 an incomplete understanding of Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus is Lord of All and He was sent by the Father with all authority to seek and save the lost - He willingly went to the cross so that believers in Him would have victory over sin and death. Follow the example of Jesus to follow the will of God - even at great cost.  Deny oneself and bring glory to God.  Love God and love others - in particular other believers.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus for giving me my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

 John 16:25-33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 16:25-33, where Jesus continues to help the disciples prepare themselves for the crucifixion and how they will be persecuted just as He was.   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God loves the disciples and by extension all believers and wants us to know and love Him.  He knows they will have sorrow when He goes to the cross, and how they will be scattered (going into hiding for a period to avoid persecution).  As Jesus prepares the disciples, He recognizes their growing spiritual maturity and understanding of Him and He addresses them according to this maturity ("no longer speaking in figures of speech" per v25) - this is similar to text in Luke 12:48 where Jesus shares how much more will be expected from those to whom He has given more in terms of leadership, responsibility, etc.  God also wants us to grow and make full use of the spiritual gifts He gives us so we should recognize what God is doing in our lives to make more use of our spiritual gifts - see also Hebrews 5:11-6:2. We should all know that God the Father sent Jesus, that He loves us, that Jesus and the Father are One, and that we have access to the Father through Jesus (John 14:6).  In v31, Jesus assures the disciples that even though He is going away, He is not alone but will be with the Father - just as He loves us, the disciples love Him and can take comfort in His Word.  In vv32-33, Jesus provides both a warning and an additional encouragement that persecution and tribulation are part of the Christian life but that with and through Jesus we have assurance that either in this life or in Heaven we will overcome.         
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples not only have faith but growing faith and spiritual maturity.The disciples in v29 appreciate that God equips and trains them up - driving spiritual maturity.  As one grows, we seek to be treated based on who we are (and as who Jesus expects us to be) not as who we were (spiritually dead).   
• 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 not growing in Christ and not worrying.  Claim the promise that with and through Him we will overcome the world just as He did.  Follow Jesus' example to do the will of God.  Take heart and trust in Him and rest in His promises.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You give me assurance that the victory over sin and death is already won!  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 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.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

 John 16:16-24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 16:16-24, where Jesus continues to help the disciples prepare themselves for both the crucifixion (sorrow) and Pentecost.   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus continues to reveal Himself as one person of the Triune God that are all equal.  In the text today, the focus is how the Son (in a little while) will no longer be with the disciples and Jesus shares how this will be sorrowful for the disciples, and how (a little while later) the Holy Spirit will be with the disciples, and this will be joyful.  Jesus knows that the disciples do not understand what He is saying, so He is patient with them, using the analogy of a mother giving birth (labor), which when the baby arrives is a joyful moment. In v22, Jesus promises that the joy given in that moment (Pentecost) will not be taken from us, and "in that day you will ask nothing of me" (v23). Also in v23, we see an apparent contradiction in the same verse where at first Jesus says on Pentecost the disciples will ask nothing of Him, then (emphasizing the authority of His statement), Jesus shares that "whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you."  The apparent contradictory statements can be reconciled by seeing how the first statement emphasizes the disciple asking, while the second statement emphasizes the disciple asking in Jesus' name - two entirely different asks.  The latter statement is an ask with an intention to bring glory to God (vs ourself) and to align our prayers with His will.  V24 is an encouragement from Jesus to ask for things in His name, with a promise that our joy will be full in doing so....this seems to align with John Piper's Christian Hedonism.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Once again, we see how the disciples do not understand, even as Jesus is patient and He continues to reveal Himself in ways to help the disciples understand.  We may not understand everything that Jesus says, yet we can always rest in what we DO know about Jesus and ask Him to reveal Himself to us so that we can more fully understand Him, His will, etc.  This is the essence of Romans 12:2 where Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we can understand and follow His will...so that He is glorified.  
• 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 seeking our own will vs that of God.  Claim the promise that asking for things in Jesus' name and His will will give us joy as we seek to please and glorify Him. This joy cannot be taken from us - what a great promise.  Follow the example of Jesus as seeks the will of the Father.  Be transformed by the renewing of the mind to align desires, thoughts, etc. with that of Jesus. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You provide the Holy Spirit that will guide us into all the truth.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save, and guide me into all the truth.  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.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

 John 16:1-15

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 16:1-15, where the text returns to the Holy Spirit as Jesus seeks to prepare the disciples for His pending crucifixion and their persecution as they follow in His footsteps to share the gospel.  This preparation is simultaneously unsettling and comforting.   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V1 is a transitional statement as Jesus knows that while the disciples will face momentary lapses of faith (we all do), He knows the remaining ones (all but Judas) will remain faithful to the mission He lays out before them.  There will be persecution and difficult times ahead, but if they remain in Him, and Him in them (John 15:1-10), if they love one another and remain unified (John 15:12-13, 17), and if they know the Holy Spirit (the Helper) will be with them (John 15:26), they will not fall away.  V2-4, 12 lays the groundwork for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and how the disciples’ will share in His suffering.  The disciples are more equipped to hear some of this difficult message now at this point in the gospel.  Yet, even now, God does not fully reveal Himself, as He only reveals Himself to us in ways that are intentional – God has a plan, His own timing, and both are perfect. V5-11, 13-15 expands on the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Helper) and by describing it as an encouragement and equal to God and the Father.
  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v1, we must see how people fall away – this of course does not mean if you truly abide in Him and Him in you that you can lose your salvation.  However, it does mean that if you were never truly in Him and Him in you then you can fall away.  This is both a warning and encouragement to know God and to build a relationship with Him.  In vv5-7, Jesus states to the disciples that He is going back to the Father (the disciples don’t fully understand this, but they can grasp how He is leaving them), and then because He knows that this will be discouraging, and because He knows this will weaken their faith as they will be more prone to sinful behavior, He offers them the Helper as an “advantage” for them.  In vv8-11 we see how those who do not believe in Jesus will face eternal condemnation.  V12 emphasizes how God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8), so He only reveals to us based on His timing and how He seeks to equip us.
• 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 falling away – abide in Him, and Him in you. Claim the promise of the Holy Spirit as the Helper that He provides to guide us into all the truth (v13).  Follow the example of those who believe in Him and see the Helper as an equal person of the Triune God.  Remember the Word of God – v4 – so that when we face persecution we can take comfort knowing that Jesus told us we would and that He provides the Helper to reassure us that He is still with us. 

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

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

 John 14:15-31

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 14:15-31, where Jesus shares how He will be providing the Holy Spirit to help believers perform the mission God puts in front of them.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V15 (see also vv21, 23) shares that God sees obedience to His commandments as a demonstration of love for Him. This squares with 1 John 5:2-3 where the text says the same thing and goes further by describing His commandments as "not burdensome."  In Vv16-17, Jesus shares that He is providing "another Helper, to be with you forever."  The Holy Spirit (explicitly called as such in v26) "dwells with you and will be in you."  In v18, Jesus emphasizes how this offers believers great encouragement as we are "not [left] as orphans and [He] will come to us."  God's love for us is promised for faithful believers in v21.  The Holy Spirit is of course not available to those who do not believe - see Judas' questioning and Jesus' response in vv22-23.  In v25, the Holy Spirit promises to teach us "all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."  Jesus also promises peace in v27.  Jesus will soon be arrested and go to the cross but Jesus does not want the disciples to be anxious or fearful as He is returning to the Father - v28.  He prophecies His "going away" and how the Holy Spirit will come so that the disciples believe - v29.  In vv30-31 Jesus shares that Satan is soon to arrest and kill Him, but that "[Satan] has no claim on Him" and that Jesus is doing what the Father sent Him to do...so that the "world may know that [He] love[s] the Father."
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People who love and believe in Him will have the Holy Spirit and God's love with them.  Those who do not, including Judas, are eternally condemned. 
• 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 trust of the world above God and disbelief.  Claim the promise of how God will be with believers and how He loves them.  Follow the example of the disciples who believed.  Obey God's commandments as a response to His love for us.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and never leaves or forsakes me - giving me the Holy Spirit to teach me all things and to bring about obedience to You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me 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.

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.

Mark 14:1-11

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. Mark 14:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 14:1-11, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus was hated by the chief priests and scribes, yet He was not worried about what people felt about Him - He was undeterred and bold in how He proclaimed the gospel in both Words and in action (works).  Jesus was patient and he taught - while the story of Mary pouring expensive oil on Jesus (see also John 12:1-8) made some of the other disciples indignant (v4), Jesus instead sought for His disciples to focus on Mary's love of God.  Mary's heart was correctly focused - on bringing glory to Jesus and demonstrating love of Him.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Jesus stirs strong reactions in many - in this case the chief priests and scribes.  Chapter 13:9-13 emphasizes Jesus' warnings how believers will be "hated in [Jesus'] name." Many in the world will hate us and what believers stand for - The Gospel and our faith.  Also, some inappropriately judged Mary and were critical of her love of Jesus and how she demonstrated it. Judas (vv10-11) represents what occurs when we allow our own view of Jesus to be warped by the world. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid inappropriately judging others' actions as understanding people's heart condition is key and it is God alone who is the ultimate judge.  We should also avoid allowing the world to warp our view of who Jesus as Judas did.  We should follow Jesus example and per chapter 13 heed His warnings and encouragement for how believers are expected to be hated and persecuted but take comfort from how the Holy Spirit will give us words to say to use the Word in defense of what You do.  

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

So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

Mark 13:24-37

So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Mark 13:29

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 13:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv28-31):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Come Again, and the Time Is Near." 
• "Jesus drops an interpretive bomb in verse 30: “I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place.” The question is, Who is “this generation”? The answer is not a simple one, and how you understand and interpret other parts of Mark 13 will influence how you answer the question."  
• The commentary offers four prevailing views on this question: "(1) The contemporary generation of Jesus’ day who would see the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. (2) The eschatological generation that will be alive at the end of history who will see all these things because they occur in close proximity to one another. (3) The Jewish people, with the word “generation” being understood to mean “race”—a particular race of people. (4) The generation of Jesus’ day who would see the coming of the kingdom."   
• View (2) is what is presented as the most biblically supported. "This generation refers to those who will see all these things occur in rapid-fire succession just before Jesus comes again. I believe the future tribulation (v. 24) will be a period of seven years." See also Daniel 9:27, Revelation 7:14, 11:3, 12:4, 6, and 13:5.   
• Per v31, the end of times promises finality for all things of this world that many hold dear and all that will remain will be God, His elect, and what He has created for God's elect - the New Jerusalem. We can take comfort from God's words.  "Nothing is so true, stable, permanent, and abiding as the word of our Lord. Here is a firm foundation on which we can stand forever. No wonder the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write, “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever” (Isaiah 40:8; cf. 51:6)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves, who is eternal and whose Word is eternal.  Thank You Jesus for Your Word that offers not just salvation, but also great comfort and encouragement in how it gives us confidence - Your Promises always come to pass so You are faithful in what You tell us will happen.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You comfort with Your Word.  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.