For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

1 Corinthians 4

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 4:14-21. The commentary's* main point for this text: "[t]he church needs spiritual fathers to live exemplary lives and provide gentle, firm correction to help others mature in Christ."  The introduction* shares the blessing of fatherly wisdom - referring to Proverbs 1:8, 2:1-5, 3:1-2, 4:1-2, 6:20-22, 23:22) and how Paul offers this to the church in Corinth.  It* also shares how Paul founded this church and he serves as an "authoritative figure" for the church, just as an earthly father does for his children.  Divisions for the text include*:

1. Spiritual Fathers Have a Unique Relationship with Their Children (4:14-15): Paul only wants what is best for the church in Corinth and right now they need correction to ensure they can stay on the right path.  Paul acknowledges how the church in Corinth has many advisors, including Apollos and Cephas (Peter), but Paul's unique relationship to the church (as founder and primary nurturer of the church) emphasizes one of a fatherly figure and the love that flows from such a relationship.  Paul seeks to live a live worthy of imitation just as son follows in the footsteps of a father.   
2. Spiritual Fathers Provide an Example to Follow (4:16-17): We are referred to 3 John 1:11 where John also writes about imitating Godly behavior seen in others.  Additional scriptural examples include Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21, 5:2-3. We are urged to follow others to the extent that they follow Christ and of course remember that our primary model is Christ and not man. 
3. Spiritual Fathers Confront Us When We Sin (4:18-19): Paul emphasizes how children need correction and similarly those less mature in their faith - as was the case with Corinth - need correction.  This correction include confronting sinful attitudes, but also sinful actions.   
   
4. Spiritual Fathers Correct Us as Needed (4:20-21): Paul closes the text by providing spiritual correction and discipline and issuing a challenge for the church in Corinth - a harsh rebuke when he sees them again and nothing has changed or warm embraces and a more encouraging visit that highlights positive change in how Corinth has repented of its sin.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for placing spiritual fathers and mentors in my life that serve to encourage, rebuke, correct, and point me back to Jesus! I am not deserving of how You do this for me...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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.

Malachi 4:1-6

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. Malachi 4:5-6

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on a commentary-assisted review of 4:5-6, including commentary for this fourth and last division, which the commentary entitles Looking Forward in Hope, Anticipating Restoration, as well as the commentary's conclusion for the entirety of 4:1-6.  Excerpts from the commentary for this division and the conclusion:

• 4:5-6: "Malachi announced in 3:1 that the forerunner to the Messiah would come. We know from the NT that the forerunner is John the Baptist. But he says here in verses 5-6 that there would be another person, another forerunner, to come before the Day of the Lord. We know this forerunner cannot ultimately be John the Baptist because this day ends with fathers turning their hearts to children and children turning their hearts to fathers. If this prophecy was completely fulfilled in John, we might ask why Jesus was still rejected by the Jews. So what is He talking about here? Although Jesus said in Matthew 11 that John the Baptist is the forerunner, something happens in Matthew 17 to prove that yet another Elijah will fulfill Malachi’s prophecy. In Matthew 17 Jesus leads the disciples up to the Mount of Transfiguration, where both Elijah and Moses appear, talking with the Lord." In Matthew 17:11-12 (The Transfiguration) specifically, Jesus shares that "Elijah is coming and will restore everything" and the commentary shares that "the key for our purposes is the future tense “will restore.” At the time Jesus is speaking, John the Baptist is already dead. So we know that he cannot be the Elijah of Malachi 4:5. In addition, John the Baptist cannot be this Elijah because this Elijah is going to reestablish all things. John the Baptist was hindered from doing this because of the wickedness of the people’s hearts.  Thus, Jesus is stating that He is the Elijah-like figure, initiating His kingdom at His resurrection and completing it at His second coming when He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers—a time of great repentance."
•  Conclusion: The commentary shares how Malachi and the Old Testament end by providing both a warning to those who do not fear the Lord and how they will be eternally condemned, and an encouragement to those who do fear God that will see God's perfect justice carried out during end times and how God is saving us from eternal condemnation.  
  

In addition to my commentary's thoughts on Malachi 4:5-6, a quick review of John Piper's thoughts on this text also offer me great encouragement as a father that has been very critical of a son - see Piper's sermon here.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me. Thank You!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus.  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.

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Zechariah 1:4-6a

I resume my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a unassisted review of Zechariah 1:4-6a, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  Here, the Lord seeks for us to remember - and in this case for negative reasons.  Don't do what God's people have repeatedly done.  Throughout redemptive history as portrayed in the Old Testament, God's people repeatedly turned away from God, sinned and were wicked in God's eyes.  God hates sin.  One of the many broad themes of the OT is the cycle of sin and God's wrath, and we see this very early on in Genesis 3 where among other means of punishment after the Fall, Adam and Eve are sent out from the garden of Eden.  Consistent with yesterday's message, God continues to emphasize here that He reigns, is all powerful and all knowing, hates sin, and seeks obedience.  He also loves His people and does not want to punish them but will if He needs to get our attention. Once again, fear should serve as a preservative to keep us close to God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, once again, I am reminded of Your amazing grace in that while I was still hostile and an enemy to You, You saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - not by a long shot.  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.   

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Zechariah 1:4-6a

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:4-6a, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions - entitled God’s Repeated Warnings Call Us to Return to Him - for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  Here, the commentary emphasizes the repeated warnings God issues to His people to not be like their ancestors (vv2,4-6) who are described in the commentary as Judah and Israel before their exile and captivity in Babylonia and Assyria respectively.  The prophets Isaiah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah all warned God's people to repent and turn from their wicked ways and deeds. One such warning that echoes the warning in Zechariah is provided in Jeremiah 3:12-14.  Unfortunately, God's people did not heed His warnings and call to repent and the commentary describes how Jeremiah "watched with tears in his eyes as his beloved city Jerusalem was destroyed and God’s people were taken away."  Jeremiah's weeping is captured in the book of Lamentations.  The commentary then connects the warnings here in the OT to the gospel and how all of us will die - and we should take the opportunity to save ourselves for eternity by confessing our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - thank You for softening my heart and for making me one of Your elect.  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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 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 by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 6

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I look deeper at Ephesians 6:1-9, leaning on commentary from John Piper from this video, which focuses on fatherhood - Paul's subject in v4:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

First John Piper indicates how Paul is writing specifically to fathers here in v4a, and only excluding mothers because there is deference to the father as the spiritual leader of the household (see Ephesians 5), and because v1-3 speak to how mothers and fathers work together to raise Godly children given Paul's instruction in those verses refer to "parents" and there is an implied agreement between mom and dad.  Piper also refers us to Proverbs 1:8 and 6:20 where scripture reinforces how mothers are of course involved (heavily) - but there is deference from mom to dad as dad takes primary responsibility for raising Godly children.  Piper then moves on to 4b where the focus is how father's must "bring [children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  This provision is more important than food or other physical provision.  Piper points to Hebrews 12:5-11 where discipline is emphasized in its importance.  Instruction is broken down as both an affirmative but also with qualification in that if you don't do it - harsh consequences await (a warning), and in this case the consequences are eternal damnation.  Fathers are also urged to know their children and their inclinations, and based on this model Godly behavior and Piper uses Psalm 103:13-14 and Colossians 3:20-21 to help guide fathers - and finally to aim at holiness and joy.  See below for a summary from the video.

 

 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who gave me incredible children - I am not deserving of the blessings they are - my sin is great and it continues, particularly in how I have left my children down with respect to raising them according to Your design and intent.  I am grateful for how You have forgiven this and redeemed much of it but there is more to be done - continue to work in my heart and life - please!  Help me turn from my sin, overcome it, and turn towards You. 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 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.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.

Malachi 4:1-6

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. Malachi 4:5-6

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on an unassisted review of 4:5-6.  Here, as the book of book of Malachi closes, God delivers a message to Israel that during end times (before the third woe) God will send Elijah and he will bring peace to families.  Keeping in mind the text is not clear to me in terms of God's specific message and application, the words offered are nonetheless encouraging.  First, they are encouraging for those families who struggle with tension between parents and children - I am one of those parents (who isn't?) who experience this tension.  Beyond the implied peace - the outcome of this peace is not clear.  Revelation 11 shares how, during end times, there are two witnesses that share testimony and prophecy, are attacked and killed, but then rise again to Heaven.  A cursory Internet search reveals that Moses and Elijah are these two witnesses, yet I am going to wait until tomorrow for details on what my commentary shares.  The hope is that God uses the two witnesses to offer testimony and opportunities for those who have not already been saved to be saved during end times.  My mind goes to Jude 22-23 where we are commanded to "have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire."  Eternal damnation (Hell) sounds like an awful, awful place and believers are no more deserving than anyone else for their salvation.  We should, given an opportunity, offer grace to everyone and share the gospel hoping that a seed planted will be germinated by God such that others are saved. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and mercy for me - giving me salvation. I know I am not deserving.  Thank You for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...harshness towards others and harsh talk.  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.      

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. v21

Paul's exhortation to father's appears elsewhere in his letters:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Paul's full words on "Instructions for the Christian Household"in this chapter are equally important:

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. v18-25

Bottom line: we exist to glorify God and we are to focus on things above and serving Him with all that we are and all that we do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - worthy of all of my attention and all of my praise.  You created the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants.  You existed before time, You created time, and You will be forevermore even after the end of time.  You are pure, holy and blameless....and You love me and serve me.   What an awesome God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am prideful and selfish....focused on me.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin and towards You instead.  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 me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me glorify and serve You with all that I am and all that I do.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.... Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.... Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged....Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. v19,21,23-24

Instructions for Christian Households indeed!  As a follow up to my post yesterday on heart and life transformation, today's post serves to reinforce yesterday's scripture with additional instructions as I call out the implications that exist for husbands, fathers, and workers. 

If we are to be a light, we must model Jesus and for us to model Jesus, we must seek heart and life transformation.  We must hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are light and You pulled me out of the darkness into the light and gave me life...to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings. I sin daily.  Please 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.

So the Lord let him alone.

Exodus 4

So the Lord let him alone. v26

God gives all of us a calling.  Although we may not understand the nature of our calling, we all have one and we must heed this call and be prepared.   We must take God's instructions seriously - note how Moses avoids death at God's hand only when Zipporah circumcises her son - something Moses should have done.

We don't know why Moses did not perform this circumcision himself but this commentary suggests that peer pressure from within the Midianite community was a factor.

For me, this Bible passage is a special message for fathers.  Fathers have specific instructions from God - see posts here and here and we are to perform these duties.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is faithful.  You always keep Your promise.  And I know You are always with me and You have equipped me to be the father You desire for me.  Thank You Jesus.  However, I often fall down in this role.  Please forgive me.  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.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

1 Timothy 1

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:8-11

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:8-11. Excerpts from the video entitled How Did the False Teachers Misuse the Law? - this video is part 1 of 3 on this text.

• Referring to the previous text in 1 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul now describes how these false teachers were unlawfully applying the law as laid down in the Old Testament or Mosaic Law.  They were teaching that the law was for the just (Christians declared just and righteous see also Titus 3:5-7), but Paul is being specific for whom the law was originally laid down; see also Romans 7:4-6 where the New Covenant in Jesus Christ replaces law-keeping as bearing "fruit for God" or being "released from the law." 
  
• The list of sins as described by Paul in the text according to Piper remarkably maps to the Ten Commandments with exception to "do not covet" which Piper believes is effectively captured by Paul in v9; the Ten Commandments are referenced by Paul because they represent a summary of the Old Testament and Mosaic Law; v10 then serves as a "catch-all" for "whatever else is contrary to healthy teaching or sound doctrine."  Anything that is outside of sound doctrine - that which is the gospel.  
• In summary these false teachers were trying to apply Mosaic Law illegitimately to the righteous, but Christians are on a new footing per Romans 7:4-6 and per 1 Timothy 5:7. 

Beware of false teachers and their "myths and speculations!"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God from whom the Word is given as a means to speak to me and for me to know, love and become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide the Word, the Holy Spirit, godly teachers, etc.  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.

Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly

Today's Reading
Numbers 32

As the Israelites move closer to inhabiting the land God prepared for them - Canaan - the Reubenites and Gadites express their desire to stay on the east side of the Jordan, which is against the express wishes of the Lord who commanded the Israelites to conquer and inhabit the land across the Jordan.

Moses reacts to the Reubenites and Gadites:

⁶ Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? ⁷ Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them? ⁸ This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. ⁹ After they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them. ¹⁰ The LORD's anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath: ¹¹ 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- ¹² not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.' ¹³ The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.

¹⁴ "And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the LORD even more angry with Israel. ¹⁵ If you turn away from following him, he will again leave all this people in the desert, and you will be the cause of their destruction." (Numbers 32:6-15)

While I am not entirely certain why the Reubenites and Gadites did not want to conquer and inhabit Canaan, I can be certain that they were not following God's will. Maybe it was fear - fear of confrontation and death that may result from battle....again I am not certain. Regardless of the motivation the point is clear, there was resistance to following God's will.

So, the question becomes - what are MY motivations to not following God's will. There are too many to list...I need to remember that "if you turn away from him, he will again leave all this people in the desert, and you will be the cause of their destruction".

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for preparing the promised land for me, in heaven specifically. I must focus on this as my promised land. Forgive me for my motivations to be disobedient. Help me follow you wholeheartedly.

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

 Luke 1

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Luke 1:16-17

This morning, as a bridge to my next study, I start a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper, which by divine appointment starts today on December 1st! Today's entry focuses on how we as believers should prepare for Christmas - specifically how to prepare our hearts spiritually to appropriately prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ and what that means for believers.  John Piper encourages us to:

1. First, meditate on the fact that we need a Savior. Luke 2:11
2. Second, engage in sober self-examination. Psalm 139:23-24
3. Third, build God-centered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home — especially for the children.
4. Fourth, be much in the Scriptures, and memorize the great passages! “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord” Jeremiah 23:29
   

 Let us, as John Piper encourages us to, prepare our hearts and spiritual selves to appropriately prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ!

Command and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful that You are my Savior, that You search my heart and sanctify me, and You bless me in ways that are unimaginable and indescribable - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful - but of course undeserving.  Amazing grace indeed!  My sin continues - worry, 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.

I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

 Leviticus 24

 I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. John 6:48-51

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-one - In God's Presence  - covering Leviticus 24:1-23, looking specifically at the second theme for the chapter - We Fellowship with God Intimately.  Here, as the theme aptly describes, the commentary theme for today emphasizes how we are to fellowship with God in study of God's Word and in prayer.  Using Leviticus 24:5-9 as the scriptural basis for such emphasis, the commentary looks specifically at v8 where it says "[e]very Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange [the bread or fellowship offering] before the Lord regularly," and v8-9 where the priests are commanded by God to offer the bread as a permanent due. V9 also describes how the priests are, once the bread from the day before is removed from the "table of pure gold" and the new bread replaces the old bread, the old bread is to eaten by the priests and enjoyed in fellowship with God within the tabernacle. The twelve loaves of bread of course represents all of the tribes of Israel and the commentary then connects the dots for us by stating that "God invited all His people to fellowship with Him."

The commentary then pivots to the New Testament and how believers are commanded by God to be in fellowship with Him.  1 Corinthians 1:9 and Hebrews 4:14, 16 are provided as scriptural references for how God called us into fellowship with Him and encourages us approach Him with confidence to receive mercy and grace. In John 6:51 Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life.  Acts 2:42-47 describes the new church that formed on Pentecost (specifically Acts 2:46-47) and how "day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people." Both Matthew 6 and Luke 11 describe how Jesus taught us how to pray by asking Him to "[g]ive us this/each day our daily bread."

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You are the Bread of Life!  You feed me in ALL ways and in the most important way - spiritually!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You fellowship with me.  I sin...slander, gossip, worry, 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.   

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. v6

I am blessed to have two sons both of whom I love very much.  It is my desire to have both of them choose Jesus as their Lord and savior.  My role is to be the earthly father that God intends for me...to teach them about Jesus and to demonstrate Jesus' love, mercies, and grace.

Demonstrating Jesus means that He must be visible in our lives...throughout our daily lives:

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (see also Deuteronomy 11:18-21)

Parents, specifically fathers, as spiritual heads of the household must avoid "exasperating" our children - as in their hearts desire to learn about a God whose love is higher and wider than we will ever know (Ephesians 3).

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love, mercies, grace, and so much more.  You suffered and died for me, knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I am broken and I continue to sin.  Please forgive me for my neglect of my relationship with You.  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 me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Proverbs 17-22:16

House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14

As I continue with my study of Proverbs, remaining in chapters 17-22:16, I continue with a review of these chapters (week 7) from my study workbook by focus on the themes as depicted in my workbook, moving on to the themes of marriage, the poor, judgement, and wrath (God's vs those of an earthly king).  For today, my focus will be marriage, and tomorrow it will be judgement. On marriage, without a doubt I recognize that my wife Lisa is a gift from God and how God predestined our marital relationship. My study points out how a Christian marriage is to serve "as a reflection of the covenant relationship between God and His people....Israel [in the OT] is frequently depicted as God's 'bride' (see Isaiah 62:4, Jeremiah 2:2, and Hosea 2:16-20)...[as does the NT with one example from John 3:29)] which identifies Jesus as Israel's long-awaited King and Messiah."  The study also points to Ephesians 5:22-23 as "the fullest picture of human marriage as a picture of the union of Christ and believers." I am grateful for how Lisa faithful devotion of a loving wife, even during those times when I have not been a Godly husband.  She has sharpened me, been patient with me, and undoubtedly a gift in the sense that I am not deserving but nonetheless grateful.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You provide Jesus as my wife and I am grateful for this gift!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues - I should be more patient and more of a reflection of Jesus to Lisa.  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.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 1

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 2 of Advent where John Piper seeks for us to focus on Mary (Luke 1:48) and Elizabeth's (Luke 1:43) "lowliness and cheerful humility...as they submit to their magnificent God." Piper remarks how Mary "sees" the significance of what God is doing in her life in this moment as she prepares to be the mother of Jesus. These verses (Luke 1:46-55) are also known as The Magnificat - the song of praise Mary sings in this moment - she just cannot fathom how such a great God can do something so extraordinary in her, as she sees herself as unworthy of such a blessing.  It is this humility that drives Mary to praise God. Both Mary and Elizabeth demonstrate something all believers should do in response to seeing the glory of God in their lives - out of the overwhelming feeling of humility how God uses ordinary people such as ourselves - we are to respond with worship and praise of the One True God - Jesus Christ. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace that You would reach down from Heaven and save me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.

Leviticus 24

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. Matthew 6:53-58

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - wrapping up chapter twenty-one - In God's Presence  - covering Leviticus 24:1-23, looking specifically at the fifth and final theme for the chapter - Christ Fulfills the Tabernacle Perfectly.  Here, the commentary summarizes Leviticus 24 by emphasizing how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law.  It also looks at key aspects of the tabernacle as described in Leviticus 24 - the menorah (v1-4) and the bread (v5-9) - and how Jesus lives in us, and He is our light and our bread. The commentary refers us to the following scriptures (here and here) to reinforce these key points:

•  Matthew 5:17: Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it
• John 1:14: Jesus became flesh and dwells within us
• John 8:12: Jesus is "the light of the world. Whoever follows [Him] will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
• John 6:35, 51-58: Jesus is the bread of life 
• Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 8:1-6: communion and the bread used during communion represents a symbol of taking Jesus into our lives; the commentary states that "[t]he meal is the physical shadow; fellowship with God is the spiritual substance." 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You dwell within me and You feed me both physically and spiritually.  You also never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace and provision.  I sin...daily...including worry, 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.  

After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.

Deuteronomy 9-11

After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.  Deuteronomy 9:4-6

Day 46 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 once again on Moses exhortations to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. As I have posted for the past two days, Moses and the Israelites know that Moses will not be entering the Land, but he loves the Israelites and seeks to impart both encouragements and warnings for those he loves.

Re-emphasizing the exhortations to avoid arrogance and to instead be humble, Moses sets the record straight with the Israelites that God's gift of the Promised Land to them was "not because of [their] righteousness" but instead due to the wickedness of the inhabitants of the Land and "to accomplish what [God] swore to Abraham, Issac, Jacob" and their descendants.  Yesterday, my post was about how our skills and abilities do not produce wealth - instead it is God who produces such wealth, and that any skills and abilities that contribute to such wealth building all come from God.  Today, the angle is that we don't deserve how God blesses us - we all have some degree of the Promised Land in our life - this is true for every single one of us because what we all deserve is death as we all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), not one of us is righteous (Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3, Romans 3:10-11), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). 

God, please help me be humble.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who - out of great mercy and compassion - has humbled me and helped become less arrogant - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such mercy and compassion because I am STILL arrogant - 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 [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12

For [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:1-11, and my unaided observations of the text.  Here, we pivot from chapter 11 and the "hall of faith," where the author of Hebrews provides examples from the Old Testament - those who did not taste the fullness of the promises made by God but remained obedient and faithful regardless.  They believed in the unseen and saw what others (those not faithful) could not see because of the hardness of their heart. Chapter 12 starts with a "therefore," where the author wants us to, in light of the many examples of faith provided, also be faithful...and faithful to the end when either Jesus returns or He brings us home to heaven.  We are encouraged not be weary and to look to not just the Old Testament examples of faithfulness, but more importantly to Jesus Himself, who despite His suffering up to and including the cross, endured. The author of Hebrews uses the analogy discipline and how an earthly father disciplines us for our own good - although it may be difficult for us to endure. Earthly discipline is compared to how God disciplines us.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are so good and You are full of amazing grace and compassion for me - even when I am disciplined.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your grace and compassion for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.  Please give wisdom and energy to Lisa and myself.  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 Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 Luke 1

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55

This morning, I continue with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on Mary and Elizabeth and how God uses their "humble estate" to be the mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist. As I continue to prepare for Christmas, I reflect on how God has humbled me to become one of His elect as I fully recognize that my faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). I have struggled much with arrogance over the course of my life and God has indeed "scattered" me "in the thoughts of [my] heart."  He has also filled me with "good things" and helped me see His mercies as new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Thank You Jesus for helping me see how I need a Savior and for being my Savior.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed an amazing God and given me the gift of faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this and the many blessings You pour out for me.  My sin of arrogance continues as well as 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 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.