The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. v17

I have previously posted about church leadership here.  It is sinful to grumble and complain about anything and Paul admonishes us here with the implication that is it even worse to grumble and complain about church leadership.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have led Lisa and myself to great churches where I have grown tremendously in You and You in me...places where we have developed powerful relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ...those who have supported us, loved us and encouraged us greatly.  What a blessing.  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus.  Yet You not only blessed me in the past You continue to be an active loving God blessing me now.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I continue to grumble and complain.  Please forgive Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me avoid grumbling and complaining about anything, particularly church leadership.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.

Exodus 15:33-18

You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord. Exodus 16:8

Day 26 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the Israelites departure from the parting of the Red Sea - the traveled for three months, fought against the Amelekites, and spent much of their time grumbling against the Lord for what they believe they should have and what they believe the Lord is not providing.

God does not want us to grumble or complain. We should be thankful for where we are today as we should know that God loves us, He never leaves or forsakes us, that He provides for all of our needs, and that most importantly He gives us victory over sin and death.

We are not deserving of any of these gifts - it is only through God's great mercy and compassion that He does this for us.

Paul reminds us that we are not to grumble - it did not end well for many in Israel's history.

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 1 Corinthians 10:10

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, never leaves or forsakes me, always provides for me, and gives me victory over sin and death.  I love You Lord - thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving.  I sin...daily and often grumble and complain.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

 John 6:41-51

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. John 6:44

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:41-51 - where we see the Jews (Jewish elders/leadership) grumble about Jesus after He shares that He is the Bread of Life. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?:  God does not want us to grumble about Him - v43.  We also see this in the OT in Exodus 16:2-26 where the Israelites in the wilderness grumble about their circumstances and Moses responds to them that he knows that the grumbling is not about Aaron and himself but about God.  Jesus repeats that He is sent by God and that He alone saves - v44. Another promise is that everyone who believes will have eternal life and that they (and their children will all be taught by God) - as Jesus quotes Isaiah 54:13. Jesus then prophecies His own death by offering of Himself as the Sacrificial Lamb of God (v51b). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Jews grumble about Jesus and share how they know Jesus as the son of Mary and Joseph - they can't believe that Jesus is sent by God and from Heaven.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not grumble or complain about Your circumstances as this is a complaint directed towards God.  Claim the promise of eternal life through Jesus and how He teaches. Trust in God and believe. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You alone save.  My sin is great (including grumbling!) and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my sin....including lack of patience also...Help me turn from such sin towards You and overcome my 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.

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah 4

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” v4

I MUST remember that God is in control.  

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:17

If I can remember that God is in control - I can have a better appreciation of how God has me where He wants me. If I don't like the circumstances and I am angry or I complain it is because I am angry at God.

In the desert, Moses reminds the Israelites that when they grumbled about no food or water, they were really complaining about God.

Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord. Exodus 16:8

God does not want us to grumble.  He wants us to be at peace so that others see Him in us.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

..instead we are to:
 

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 



My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...and yet I still am often angry and I complain.  Thank You for Your patience for me but please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from 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 not grumble.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead 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.

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Numbers 20:1-13

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” Numbers 20:12

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 20:1-13 - Miriam dies and is buried by the people in the wilderness, and Moses does not completely follow God instructions to bring water from the rock, and is subsequently punished harshly.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God provides and comforts the people during their time of need - in the face of not having any water, God gave instructions to Moses (vv7-8) to use the staff (see also Numbers 17), and to command the rock to yield water.  Indeed God was able to yield water from the rock, despite Moses not following His instructions completely.  God's plan will not be thwarted.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Alarmingly, we see the people grumbling, complaining, quarreling with, and rebelling against God - see vv2-5.  After all that God has done, including provide and cause both the earth to swallow up Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16) and a plague that killed 14,700, the people fail to trust in the LORD to provide water.  Instead of going to Moses and Aaron to intercede, the people grumble, complain, quarrel, and rebel.  Unless we abide in Him, we will not bear any fruit (John 15:1-10).  Key to the text today is how Moses fails to completely follow God's instructions in v8 to "tell" or command the rock to yield water - instead Moses strikes the rock twice (v11).  V12 describes God's harsh punishment to Moses as he will not be able to enter the Promised Land.  Perhaps one can see such punishment as harsh, but we must also remember that church leaders are held to a higher standard.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not grumble, complain, quarrel with, or rebel against church leadership as they are God's appointed leaders.  Church leaders should also be mindful how they are avoid not following God's commands - do not add to or subtract from His Word.  Claim the promise that God is Lord over all of Creation, He is faithful, and we can trust in Him to provide.  Follow the example of Jesus who trusted the Father and willingly laid down His life.  Love and trust in Him. 

Comment and discuss this post

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

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

 Mark 1:12-13

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Mark 1:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  This morning, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:12-13 - the second division of Mark 1:9-13 per my commentary. The commentary shares how this text describes Satan's temptation of Christ (see also Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13) was a "declaration of war."  Excerpts from the commentary:

•  "Jesus’ temptation was no accidental encounter, no chance meeting. It was a divine appointment scheduled by the Father and implemented by the Spirit."
• "Thankfully, Jesus yields to the Spirit and embraces this test. The Servant King has a job to do, and the Spirit immediately compels Him. Rather than shrinking back, as Israel was so prone to do, our King, our Commander in Chief, the true Israel goes out to fight in the trenches with us and for us. In so doing He turns back the enemy and provides hope and a pattern for us to do the same."
• "This was the deep wilderness. This was no vacation spot. The conditions were grueling, and Jesus was undoubtedly tired and weak. To grumble, complain, or give in would have been easy."
• Jesus' response in the wilderness contrasts with that of Israel who constantly grumbled and complained.  This wilderness is also similar to that of Moses' 40 days on Mt Sinai and Elijah's 40 days on Mt Horeb - see Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8. 
• Believers should be encouraged as Christ knows the battles we are fighting and we can take comfort in knowing that Satan does not win this battle nor the war which ends in Revelation.   

Just as the angels were ministering to Jesus in the wilderness, so too does Jesus aid us in our time of temptation and need - when we may feel tempted to grumble, complain (about God no less!), and lose faith.  See Ephesians 6:10-18 for how we are provided with the whole armor of God.  Know and love God by reading and studying scripture - all of it - and experience how the whole armor of God protects us against Satan's schemes.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

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

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Numbers 21:4-9

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Numbers 21:9

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 21:4-9, the people once again grumble and complain against the LORD, yet God is abounding in love, relents from His punishment and provides a way out.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God sees grumbling and complaining as a sin, so Israel is punished - v6.  Yet God is merciful and He responds to prayer as the people confess and seek for Moses to intercede - v8.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people are not yet in the Promised Land, and of course one can imagine the people (as we would) seeking the quickest way possible to get to their destination.  Impatience can be seen as a childish behavior (are we there yet?), but it afflicts adults just as well.  The pattern of Israel's grumbling and complaining, and of God showing mercy, is staggering - God not only provides second chances, but third, fourth, etc.  Yes, many are harshly punished, but we have to acknowledge that we ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So we don't deserve God's mercy - yet He provides a way out.  Jesus is this way out - if we confess, like Israel does here in v7 and we have someone like Moses who intercedes on our behalf (we do in Jesus), we can be assured of forgiveness and of salvation (Romans 10:9-10).  Yet we cannot prevent punishment as this is for God alone to determine and we must see punishment as love from the Father for good.  Israel should have seen this in how they remained in the wilderness.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not grumble and complain.  Claim the promises that God disciplines those He loves, and God forgives and saves.  Follow the example of Israel who confessed - and the example of those acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Be thankful in all circumstances. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from 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 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.

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. Jude 16

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the fourth division per the commentary - v16 - which is titled God Condemns the Ungodly Because of Their Deeds.  The commentary emphasizes how the text describes how our speaking reflects our heart condition: "the tongue is that organ of the body intimately connected to the heart and its desires" (see also James 3). The first word the text uses to describe false teachers is how they are grumblers or complainers.  When people grumble or complain - as the commentary compares to Israel in the wilderness - they are ultimately doing so at God because it is He who is in control.  We should not grumble or complain - see also this resource. The commentary warns us that complaints and grumblings in the church is a corrosive influence: it "is like a cancer and is deadly to an effective ministry and a healthy church life. It leaves them always judgmental and without joy."  The commentary then moves on to how the text describes those who follow their own sinful desires and how this is the source of their negative talk.  The insatiable desires of one focused solely on self runs counter to how we are to deny oneself and focus on satisfying God.  Finally, the commentary highlights how the text describes arrogant false teachers who make bold claims that are not scriptural - we must be careful to not add or subtract from the Word.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives me Your Word and faithful brothers and sisters who sharpen me in my hope to grow in understanding and obedience to the Lord.  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.

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

Philippians 4

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

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter five - Unshakable Contentment Whether Abased or Abounding.  Here, John Piper describes how Paul endures and perseveres through immense sufferings, remaining content with his circumstances and refusing to grumble and complain. Piper first starts with how Paul was at one point almost brought to death, but recognized that his suffering had purpose and it was God's purpose.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 for the text where this is described.  Piper then makes this statement about the "truth Paul believed about his suffering— no   matter how severe— was that it came ultimately with God’s purpose, and the purpose was that Paul would trust himself less and trust God more, every moment of his life, especially as death approached.*"  Piper continues on this topic by moving to the key to how Paul avoided grumbling and complaining about his suffering - we are referred to Romans 5:3-5 where Paul sees how God is - according to Piper - "producing endurance and God-saturated hope.*" Even when Paul sensed his suffering could lead to death Piper describes how Paul shared how this did not move him to grumble or complain - we are referred to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 where Paul tells us that he focused on what was awaiting him in Heaven...an "eternal weight of glory." As Piper wraps up the chapter, he sums up - by pointing to Philippians 4:11-13 - how Paul had found the secret to contentment.  Additional scripture references are provided, including Philippians 3:8 (all satisfying presence and worth of Christ) and Philippians 1:12 and Romans 8:28 (God works all things for his good).

Comment and discuss this post.

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

And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

2 Samuel 12:24-25, 2 Samuel 5:13-16, 1 Chronicles 3:4-9, 14:3-7, 2 Samuel 13-14

And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death. 2 Samuel 13:39

Day 100 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the birth of Solomon, the rape of Tamar (daughter of David) by Amnon (son of David), and Absalom's (son of David) revenge killing of Amnon.

Much like David longs for Absalom in spite of his sin, God longs for us despite our sin.

There are very important distinctions we must recognize regarding how God BOTH loves and hates us as sinners.  John Piper provides great clarity on these distinctions. Piper's starting point is that God hates sinners (referencing Psalm 5:4-5 and 11:5).  Piper writes, "[s]o, it is just not true to give the impression that God doesn’t hate sinners by saying he loves the sinner and hates the sin. He does hate sinners. His wrath is real. It is not something he pours out on people he approves of".  He then goes on to write how God ALSO loves sinners, referencing John 3:16.  Piper writes: ... "[this] matters [because] [i]f we don’t understand that God finds us hateful and loathsome in our ugly sin, we won’t be as stunned by what his love is for us".

God's love for us should in Piper's words "stun" us - and it does!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, even while I continue to sin and even though I am still a sinner - thank You Jesus!  I know You hate both sin and sinners (like me) but You also love me and sent Your Son Jesus to save me - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I love You but I am not deserving.  I continue to sin...to complain/grumble and to be harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

1 Corinthians 10

 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. v10

Last night at BSF, we were talking about how the Israelites constantly grumbled and complained, regardless of how the Lord rescued them from bondage, parted the Red Sea for them, and repeatedly provided for them as the set out for the Promised Land.  We all grumble and complain, often times multiple times during the day.  God is in control and our complaints reflect a displeasure and complaint against God and so Paul instructs to avoid grumbling and complaining.

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

...instead we are to:

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My Prayer: Lord, I know You have great plans for me...plans not for harm but to prosper me (and Lisa).  You never break Your promises. Yet I have many questions and doubt at this time...please forgive me Jesus!  I thank You that You know everything about me, including my doubt and worry, yet You love me anyway.  Forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me truly love and trust You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today.  Give me strength.

If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.

Exodus 15

If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you. v26

It did not take more than 3 days of wandering (see v22) without water after God demonstrated his might and protection by parting the Red Sea - after these three days, the Israelites began to grumble once again.

We should of course not complain or grumble about our circumstances - see posts here.  We must live a life of gratitude, and draw near to God - see also post yesterday.

Lord, Your hand is mighty, and You protect me, You provide for me, and You love me - this I know.

Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - creator of all things and able to do anything.  Thank You for how You bless me.  I am undeserving.  I speak harsh things about others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You 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 have them 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.

If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends.

Acts 9 and Jonah 1-4

If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. Matthew 5:46-47 (NCV)

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 start the story of "Paul: Never Too Far Gone for a Turnaround*".

*Title of lesson ten from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day one of my study focuses on Ananias, to whom God spoke to attend to Saul after the Lord spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus (and blinded him). Lucado compares how God used Ananias much like God used Jonah - Jonah was given a mission to preach to Nineveh and Jonah did not believe the city deserved mercy so he ran from his mission. While we don't know much about Ananias' state of mind after the Lord gives Ananias the message to attend to Saul, we do know that there was hesitation on Ananias' part (Acts 9:13-14).  Unlike Jonah, ultimately, it appears that Ananias went to Saul as the Lord directed him, and with what appears to be little to no further resistance. Despite the differences between Ananias and Jonah, a key takeaway remains that God often calls us to missions that are not just tough but undesirable, perhaps missions where we disagree on some level, including loving those we feel are undeserving of love.  Yet Lucado wants us to understand that we don't get to make that call - God does - and God wants us to love everyone, including those we don't think are deserving of it.

Lucado uses Matthew 5:46-47 (NCV) to emphasize this key message. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God as You are so full of love, mercy, and compassion for me - even though I am quite clear I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet again, I know I am undeserving. My attitude at work is far from ideal - I grumble and complain, 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.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. v5-6

Peter reminds us to be humble within the church.  We must submit to our church elders and among fellow members of the church.  We must allow Jesus to work through us and we must not grumble and complain.

I have previously posted about this here in 1 Timothy 5.

Similar teachings are also found in Hebrews 13, Romans 13, and 1 Timothy 6. 

Too often I want to make things about me, and not about Him.  Lord Jesus, help me remain humble not just within my church, but also in my roles as a father, husband, and employee.

My Prayer: You are a great God creator of all things and able of anything.  You don't need me but You suffered and died for me, choosing me as Your adopted son.  Thank You Jesus for coming to rescue me.  I am not worth such love because of my arrogance and other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such 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 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.  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.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. v26

While our approach to the Old Testament ceremonial law has undergone a "dramatic change", all of scripture, including the Old Testament moral law, applies.  God has roles for each of us to play and He has expectations for His children.  Yet God does not want to compel us into service - just like He wants us to be cheerful givers (see 2 Corinthians 9:7), God wants us to serve Him with gladness.

Similarly, we are not to grumble and complain.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me a new heart and new life - freedom indeed.  I know You are not done with me yet but I am grateful how You have transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry and I 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 Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

James 5:7-11

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

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

Comment and discuss this post.

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

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.”

Numbers 21:10-20

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” Numbers 21:16-18

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 21:10-20 - God provides water and the people sing joyfully in response.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is with us, He directs our steps (with Israel He guides as a cloud by day and a fire by night (Exodus 13:21), and He provides.  The wilderness is a desolate and difficult place - yet Israel find themselves in a place in v16 called Beer, which in Hebrews translates simply to a "well."  God provides water here.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people respond in song, in essence, worshiping God.  This is a wholly appropriate response to God, who He is and how He provides.  Note also how God seeks for Moses to "[g]ather the people together[.]"  God seeks for His people to worship 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?): When we are in a spiritual wilderness, we should not worry, grumble and complain as Israel has been doing (see text from post yesterday).  We should claim the promise that God provides for all of our needs.  Follow the example of Christ who trusts in the Father to provide for all things (Matthew 6:25-34). Praise God for how He is with us, directs our steps, and provides - even in the wilderness. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, is with us, guiding our steps, and providing for all of our needs.  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 and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

Numbers 14:13-19

And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Numbers 14:17-18

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 14:13-19 - Moses intercedes on behalf of the people who continue to grumble, complain and fear that they will not be overtake those who inhabit the promised land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The Lord listens to Moses intercede on behalf of the people - He responds to prayer - reinforcing how prayer is a critical part of relationship with God. Moses' prayer also tells us that God "is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression" (v18). We see again that although God forgives, this by no means that there are no consequences.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Moses prays to God and the most important prayer here is that he cares about God's name - Moses seeks for God's name to be great.  This is consistent with how Jesus seeks for all believers to pray - see Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus seeks for the Father's Name to be hallowed.  This is why we exist - to bring glory to Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). 
• 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 grumbling and complaining but instead be thankful for what God has done and go to Him with your cares and concerns.  Claim the promise that He will not only hear your cries but He will respond and help you carry the burden of your cares (1 Peter 5:7).  Follow the example of Moses who sought God's glory. In all that we do, bring glory to God.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is slow to anger and abounding in love, forgiving sin, saving, and giving life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  Incredible - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor the blessings You pour out daily for me.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

Amos 9

I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,”

says the Lord your God. v15

The last verse in the book of Amos reveals the hope of Christ - that God rescues us from the sting of sin and death.  While we may not be promised a life of worldly happiness, we are promised joy and peace (Galatians 5:22) in this world and eternity in Heaven with God.  We should be focused on how we are citizens of Heaven and be thankful and content with the life God gives us in this world as it is only temporary while we will have eternity in Heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God who is full of mercy and compassion for me, even though I grumble and complain and I fail to obey.  Thank You for such mercies and compassion but please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure 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.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Jonah 4

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” v10-11

Arrogance, selfishness and righteousness are at the core of Jonah's anger at God's compassion.  God's response to Jonah is difficult for me today as I see much of myself in Jonah.  I often feel like I know what is best, I am critical of those who disagree with my view and I get angry or grumble/complain about those who criticize me.  

God is sovereign.  God is good.  And I must remember that His thoughts and ways are not my own and that I must come around to His way of thinking not vice versa.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

I must become present to what God IS doing in my life NOT what He is NOT doing in my life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, God of all creation, the First and the Last and You are my Lord and Savior, having loved and chosen me while I was still sinning and even before I was born.  Thank You Jesus for adopting me as You son but please forgive me for my arrogance, selfishness, and righteousness.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength.  Please heal and cure her 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.  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.