Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Thessalonians 3

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3:12

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 2-day 2, my focus is a review of 2 Thessalonians 3 assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians to unpack the text. The commentary's divisions for this text are spread over two chapters of the commentary where the main idea for from the commentary for 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 is*: "[g]enuinely converted people will bear the fruit of transformed lives," and the divisions/sub-divisions that cover chapter 3 include*:

• They Are Secure in God’s Salvation (2:16-3:5)
• A guarded faith (3:2-3)
• A growing faith (3:1,4)

The main idea from the commentary* for 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18: "Christians have an obligation to hold one another accountable for how they pursue their work and how they relate to one another."  Key excerpts from the introduction of the commentary for this text include*: "[s]urprisingly, one of the greatest dangers to the Thessalonian church was not a blatant attack from people on the outside, but the carelessness and laziness of people on the inside....This is not the first encounter with these individuals. In fact, they appeared several times in Paul’s first letter (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14). Some suggest that these people represent those who have quit their jobs in anticipation of the coming of Christ. Others argue that they were poor members of the church who were taking advantage of the affluent members. Whoever these people were and whatever the reason for their irresponsibility, clearly their conduct and their attitude were adversely affecting the church.  Paul clearly sees the need to address this issue." Divisions from the commentary for this text:

1. Don’t Be Lazy (3:6b-10): We are referred to Colossians 3:23-24 where Paul writes how, regardless of what we do, "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"; Paul* provides two reasons why Christians should avoid laziness: (a) "Christianity was worthless unless it found its way into the fabric of life....If we take God’s Word seriously, then we will take it to work with us. That is, how we do our work will reflect on the One we claim to worship."  Paul* seeks to admonish "in the strongest words possible" those in the church who are idle. He writes how he has worked and how this should serve as an example.
   
2. Don’t Be a Burden (3:11-12): Paul* points out that idle "individuals [in the church] were becoming a burden to those who were seeking to quietly live out their faith. It’s one thing to be out of line, but it is an entirely different matter when you become a distraction to the entire church."
   
3. Don’t Be Weary (3:13): Paul* turns to those who were not being idle to encourage them to keep going in their good works in serving the Lord. Apparently these members of the church in Thessalonica were becoming discouraged "by the wayward members and so [were] tempted to lose heart or patience, [so] Paul challenges them to keep doing the right thing." 
   
4. Don’t Be Negligent (3:6, 14-15): Paul* describes that church discipline is critical and that "God expects His people to take an active role in maintaining the purity and guarding the integrity of His church."  Church leadership and the body must be on-guard for idleness and inaction and address it swiftly.    
   
5. Don’t Be Forgetful (3:16-18): In his benediction, Paul* offers a prayer that recognizes that the "Thessalonians were going to need divine enablement to live in the manner set forth in his letters."
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always at work for me - and You give me gifts and talents to use for Your glory.  I am amazed at how You use gifts and talents for Your glory in the church.  Thank You for how You equip me in my role as father, husband and worker.  I am not deserving of Your blessings and love.  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.

*Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series, Exalting Jesus in 1-2 Thessalonians, Mark Howell

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Hebrews 5:11

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 5:11-14, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the first division "The Diagnosis: Dull Hearing," which looks at Hebrews 5:11. Here, the commentary describes how the author pauses a discussion started in chapter 4 about how Jesus is an infinitely better Great High Priest, and while the author seeks to continue on this topic (writing we have much to say) - appears to be frustrated with the audience who has "dull become of hearing."  The commentary writes: "Those who are trained in Scripture and are progressing in the faith are better equipped to understand Christ’s priesthood, but those who shut their ears to God’s Word regress in their faith and fumble in their comprehension. Spiritual concepts like Christ’s priesthood are difficult only for the spiritually immature, those who have become “too lazy.” The spiritually mature, on the other hand, have the energy to investigate and understand spiritual concepts that are hard to explain." The commentary goes on: "In the case of the Hebrews, the congregation became intellectually sluggish by their own negligence. Their spiritual immaturity was their fault. They grew intellectually dull because they became sluggish of heart. Christ’s priesthood became difficult to understand because their hearts became indifferent to Scripture. Thus, the author must stop explaining Christ’s priesthood in order to admonish his people and prod them out of their lethargy." Believers, we are urged to shake off our lethargy and to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and to, as John Piper puts it, "savor [H]im above all else."  Pray that God give you this hunger and thirst for righteousness!

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done an amazing transformation in my heart, and life and You have saved me - from eternal damnation and so much more! 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.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 

 

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of God's Mercy, which covers Romans 12:1-16.  My focus today is Romans 12:1-2, which my commentary refers to under the heading Offer Yourself to God. On the heels of Paul's closing marks in Romans 11, where Paul marvels at the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, as well as His judgements and ways, Paul then pushes us to - therefore (v12:1) - be a living sacrifice - to serve and love God out of an outpouring of gratitude for what He has done for us and continues to do for us as He provide for all of our needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.   We are also cautioned to avoid conformity to the world, but instead to seek Him and how nearness to God can help us avoid this by directing our thoughts and desires to be more in line with Him. 

My commentary describes how Romans 12 moves from the "indicatives (the grammar of certainty and actuality)" of the gospel to the "imperatives (the grammar of commands)." We are to "rejoice in the glorious indicatives of the gospel!  The facts of the gospel have caused us to soar in worship throughout Romans, and now they give the proper basis for practical obedience.  God's grace should not make us lazy or passive but passionate and devoted to God, and this passion is 'rooted in faith and energized by the power of the Holy Spirit.' We are to see how Romans 12:1 echoes words expressed by Paul in Romans 6:13 and 6:19. The commentary describes how Paul highlights 'living sacrifice' as a form of dedication - the use of the word "sacrifice" along with "temple," and "priesthood," is used "without the actual physical apparatus associated with them...sacrifice is metaphorically applied to Christian service."  We are encouraged not only to offer our bodies to God (v12:1), but also our mind (v12:2).  We must avoid how worldly influences lead to a "polluted mind...[and] life." If we are able to orient our bodies and minds to God through scripture, worship, prayer, service, etc. then "we will be able to recognize and appreciate what honors God, and we can then set ourselves to obey his will."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - what an awesome God You are that You offer the Holy Spirit to advocate for me and to assist me...with all things.  Thank You Jesus for the Holy Spirit and for how You never leave or forsake me and how You have molded me...it has not always been easy but that is not what You promise.  I am blessed by all that You have done and what You continue to do.  Yet I am not deserving.  My sin of worry, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve, You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

Chapter 29: Pages 407-422, Exodus 4, 7-8, 10, and Romans 9

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9:17-18

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 6 "Providence Over Sin" - moving to chapter twenty-nine "Israel Hated, Pharaoh Hardened, God Exalted, Helpless Saved".

Here Piper explores Israel's exodus from Egypt and how Paul "elevate[s] this Old Testament event to supreme importance in our reflections on God's providence over sin." Piper decisively makes the case that it was God alone who hardened Pharaoh's heart and that God's actions were not in response to self-determination by Pharaoh. Piper uses the following scripture to make his case:

• The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Exodus 4:21
• But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Exodus 7:3-4
• Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.” Exodus 10:1-2 
• Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:13 
• But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:22
• But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. Exodus 8:15 
• But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said. Exodus 8:19 

Piper emphatically states that "[n]othing in man, good or bad, past, present, or foreseen, determines who is hardened and who is shown mercy." Regarding, God's ultimate providence over sin, we are once again encouraged to avoid seeking answers on how God does this but THAT He does this.  Piper also points to how this in and of itself is encouraging, pointing to how God rules over "hateful circumstances in such a way that they regularly lead to a greater deliverance than otherwise possible", pointing to other stories such as the stories of Esther and Mordecai, Haman, as well as of course the preeminent story of God's rule of the crucifixion of Christ. Piper summarizes how this provides encouragement by pointing to Romans 8:28 where God works all things together for our good. "What sustains us, when surrounded by hatred, is not our ability to explain God's providence, but the unshakable fact of God's providence.... [N]othing-absolutely nothing-can happen to us but "by God's fatherly hand." 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who reigns over all things for my good - thank You Jesus!  I know You are both with me and You love me...always.  Yet I am undeserving of such mercy and love.  I worry, am lazy, and have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

 Chapter 12: Pages 158-166, Ephesians 1:4-7

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:4-8

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 2 "The Ultimate Goal of Providence", moving to Section 3 "The Ultimate Goal of Providence in the Design and Enactment of the New Covenant" - moving to chapter twelve "Christ's Foundational Act in Establishing the New Covenant". 

Piper starts by quoting both Luke (Luke 22:20) and Matthew (Matthew 26:28) from the Last Supper to establish that Christs suffering and death on the cross "was the foundational step in enacting the new covenant." He then contrasts the first and second covenant using Hebrews 9:7, 15, 22 and 10:4 to underscore how Jesus "is responsible for putting the second covenant into effect." 

Piper builds on this to state that Christ's death and resurrection is not only the ground for the second covenant but also the goal - quoting Romans 4:25; Piper's description is that He is both the "price" and the "prize". Piper of course extends this to emphasize that "the ultimate goal of God in his saving providence-namely the praise of the glory of his grace-was achieved through the suffering of the Son of God, who died to delivery us from eternal suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:9) and bring us into everlasting enjoyment of his glory (John 17:24)".  We are then encouraged to see "the obvious" that-using Ephesians 1:4-6-God's plan from the beginning was that "God's ultimate purpose in creation and providence was not that his glory be displayed and praised through means that did not involve the suffering of Son.  The cross was not an afterthought.  It was part of the plan from before the foundation of the world (2 Timothy 1:9, Revelation 13:8)."

Finally, Piper writes that "[e]verything else is subordinate to this plan.  Everything else is put in place by God's providence for the sake of this plan.  The display of the glory of God's grace, especially in the suffering of the Beloved, echoing forever in the all-satisfying praises of the redeemed, is the goal of creation and ultimate aim of all God's works for providence". 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and of course so is Your grace and You are worthy of my ceaseless praise and worship.  Thank You for the rich mercies You pour out for me.  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I am lazy among my many sins.  Please forgive me for seeking my own power over yours and not relying on the peace of Christ.  Please forgive me for seeking comfort in the pleasures of this world.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

1 Corinthians 9, 2 Corinthians 11, and Romans 7

 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 2 Corinthians 11:30-31

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I finish both the story of "Paul: Never Too Far Gone for a Turnaround*" and the study itself as Paul is the last chapter of the study.

*Title of lesson ten from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day five focuses on Paul an unlikely hero, as a deeply sinful person whom God transformed into deeply faithful servant of Jesus that was relentless in his missionary journeys to share both his testimony and the Gospel.  He did not seek fame or glory, was often beaten and thrown in jail.  He was always on the road, serving and preaching the Word. We are encouraged where ever we are in our own service to the church to keep going - to allow God to work through us.  We are also encouraged to support and serve others in their missionary journey - believing that God sees something in all of us that we don't see - a heart to serve Jesus.  This is the element of heroism that Lucado describes - a heroism that relies on Jesus not on the individual abilities of any one person or group of people.  It is how people allow Jesus to work in their lives, to allow Jesus to be the hero of their story.  We must remember that we exist to glorify God.

Discuss and comment on this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and have seen Your heroics in many lives as You use ordinary people for extraordinary service.  It is only through You that we are able to see the heart and life change You make. Thank You Jesus for what You have done in my life - to save me and to use me and to build me up in the process.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I am lazy, worry, and I have other sins.  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 Your 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 met today and every day.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. v1-3

John Piper offers - in my view - an extraordinary encouragement on these verses, particularly with respect to how we should not run aimlessly.

Piper says:
- "So into the church has crept the disease of drifting and neglecting. People are growing careless, spiritually lazy, and negligent." 
- "They have begun to have a kind of lazy sense of security. A false notion that nothing really huge is at stake in their small group meetings or whether they meditate on the Bible or take time alone to pray or fight sin. They assume all will be well. Hebrews is written to teach them otherwise."
- "They made a profession of faith and went into a passive, coasting mode. This is utterly wrong."
- "Endure, persevere, run, fight, be alert, be strengthened, don’t drift, don’t neglect, don’t be sluggish, don’t take your eternal security for granted".
- "Don’t stroll, don’t meander, don’t wander about aimlessly. Run as in a race with a finish line and with everything hanging on it."
- "Then along comes a text like this which says that passivity and coasting and drifting are mortally dangerous."

We must RUN...and FIX OUR EYES on Jesus - this requires focus!  Focus implies a plan.

Piper suggests we "plan [a] fall run with Jesus".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided MANY great witnesses, Your Word, The Holy Spirit, the church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, all of which give me coaching training, etc. - thank You Jesus!  I know You are always with me.  I am undeserving of such love.  I am harsh with my words and actions.  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. 

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to 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 whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. v7-9

Jesus wants us to make Him the highest priority in our lives.  We exist to glorify God and the most important commandment is to love God.  Yes there are other commandments but we have to start with acknowledging our need for a Savior, Jesus is that Savior, and surrendering our life to Jesus through the daily practices of spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, etc. 

Paul refers to what he may have lost in his pursuit of Jesus as garbage; this is an apt description for what the world defines as success or status.   It means nothing and leads to destruction and eternal damnation.  

Jesus must be everything.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has revealed to me the surpassing worth of Jesus and I am grateful!  Thakn You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such a gift and the blessings that follow.  I am selfish, lazy and have other sin.  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.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. v3-4

Consistent with the theme of joy throughout Philippians, Paul believes that it will bring him great joy (v2) if we are to empty ourselves of our selfish desires and instead become more like Christ.  Counter to what the world believes, our humility will not only bring joy to Paul but also to Christ and bring glory to God - which is why exist.

V6-8 articulates Christ's humility as part of God's plan to provide salvation for those who believe.  In particular v6-7 which states:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Through the Holy Spirit, believers have access to the and power and wisdom of God yet once again it is not for our advantage but for God.  Love God and love others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You did not take advantage of Your time on earth to enrich Yourself but instead died a gruesome death on the cross...so that I could have life...and to the full.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and such a gift.  I sin...I am lazy, selfish, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1

 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. v21

Both Overviewbible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) describe the "joyful tone" of Philippians.  Indeed, Paul is writing this letter from prison in Rome to the church in Philippi. For more on Paul's imprisonment and the "prison epistles", check this out.

Paul is joyful because of his freedom in Christ - as v21 captures this joy.  It is essentially a no lose situation for him.  As long as the gospel is advanced, he is good with that.  Paul is at the center of God's will - this is true joy and freedom in Christ.  John Piper also describes this freedom in Christ: "Freedom is doing what you love to do, if what you love to do is what you ought to do, and transformation is the change of our hearts, so that what we love to do is what we ought to do."  Piper describes how we can achieve this transformation of our hearts and minds here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who HAS transformed my heart and life - this I KNOW!  Yet I know this work is still in progress and there is much to do.  Thank You Jesus for the miracles You have worked in my life.  I am not deserving for the many, many blessings You pour out for me.  I sin...daily.  I am selfish, lazy, etc.  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. Provide 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.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

Ephesians 5

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. v28

I am challenged to treasure my wife Lisa as Paul encourages us to in this letter to the church in Ephesus. I am too often selfish or lazy.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with a wife and family that loves me and supports me and brings me many other blessings - too numerous to even mention!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I sin...and am often lazy or selfish to love others as Jesus loves me.  Forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

John 16

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” v33

Jesus continues to speak to His disciples about what they are likely to face, including being "put you out of the synagogue and kill you killed" (v2). In v33 Jesus promises troubles, and elsewhere in scripture we are told of trials, suffering and difficulties.  But through Jesus' death and resurrection, we have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and it is through this power in Jesus Christ that we can take heart.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the One True God and my personal Lord and Savior - thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving.  I worry and I am lazy.  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.

All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

Luke 21

All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. v4

Jesus wants us to be cheerful givers, but here Jesus challenges us to give to the point where it makes us uncomfortable.  As Jesus does this, he prods me on the topic of comfort and how easy it is to remain comfortable in my faith.  As the DesiringGod.com team points out, we too often idolize convenience and comfort over God; however, Jesus rejected convenience and comfort and instead instructs us that only a few will pass through the narrow gate to God's kingdom. 

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

“You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

Luke 4

“You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow  them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. v41

Satan is real - he's been with us since the beginning, he tried to tempt Jesus into sin (Luke 4:1), and he continues to exist for all believers until the end of times when Jesus will defeat Satan and sin for the final time.  Satan knows Jesus, knows believers and is constantly looking for ways to get into our lives so that our faith weakens.

John Piper provides some great resources to assist us.
Satan's Ten Strategies Against You
Recommend Resources from John Piper on Satan 

One of the biggest lies Satan seeds is that "[t]he devil wants you to believe God’s commands are torturously burdensome and the death of your happiness. The devil wants you to believe that God is withholding joy from you in the limitations he places on you."  Wrong!  See more here.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. 1 John 5:3-4 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from Satan - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such protection.  I am too often arrogant or lazy and I turn from You to sin - 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. 

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. v20

 
The Gospel of Mark, see overview here, is an account of who Jesus is and what He did.  Here Jesus called the first disciples and I am reminded that for us to follow Jesus, we must be prepared to put Him first - above all other relationships in our lives, including spouses and children.

Priority of Jesus

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

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. v11-12

In Matthew 23, Jesus continues to warn His followers to avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  Jesus did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45).  We are called to deny ourselves, be more like Jesus and draw others to Him by allowing the others to see not us but the light of Jesus in us.

Be a light.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who as King did not come to be served but to serve - thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for me and for paying the price not just for my sin but for all of humanity!  Thank You - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish and weak and lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Matthew 21

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. v21-22

From the very beginning we are told by God to be fruitful.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Genesis 1:28

God has given each of us a unique design and called us to use our spiritual gifts.

See this commentary for thoughts on how we must be on guard to avoid the hypocrisy of claiming to follow Jesus but bearing no fruit.

Examples of fruit can be seen in Galatians 5:22.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed me well beyond what I deserve.  I am often lazy and neglectful of both You and my gifts and calling.  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 today and every day.

“Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

Daniel 2

“Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” v24

There are many remarkable elements to this chapter of Daniel, including how Daniel was calm and at peace in face of grave dangers facing all wise men (v14-16), how Daniel was confident in his God's ability to determine what the king's dream was and how he took his request to God (v16-18), how Daniel interceded on behalf of all the wise men - hoping to spare their lives (v24), and of course how Daniel gave all credit to God for his ability to interpret the kings dream.

Again - just as I posted yesterday - all in all an awesome demonstration of how Daniel understands that God reigns, is in control, that He loves us and does not want to harm us, that we exist to glorify Him, and that our giftings are designed in this regard. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is before, in, and has created all things, including all of the spiritual gifts all of us have.  You have knit all of us together in wonderful ways just as You have knit each one of us.  Your design is amazing.  Thank for You for the many blessings of experiencing Your gifts.  I am not worth the love You bless me with.  I am weak and lazy.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us bring Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Isaiah 35

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” v3-4

The dictionary, in the context of the Bible, defines retribution as "the dispensing or receiving
of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter".  This should strike fear into the hearts of the unbeliever while providing comfort for the believer, especially those who live with an understanding that we exist to glorify God and we should strive to serve a God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.  See also this commentary.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who judges perfectly and You are full of compassion and patience, wanting all to come to You to be part of Your Kingdom.  Thank You for Your mercy, compassion, and patience.  I am not worth such love.  I am often lazy.  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 do.  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.